Handling 4/5

Performance 3.5/5

    Economy 3/5

    Comfort 4.5/5

    Safety 4.5/5

    Technology 4/5

    Value for Money 4/5

The 2017 Nissan Qashqai enters an undeniably crowded market, but does it have what it takes to continue carving out its niche?

While the obscure name sounds like a Native American tribe name, the name is actually derived from a group of tribes that have Turkic ethnic origins (not to be confused with Turkish). Another interesting fact is that the Qashqai was Nissan’s third-best-selling car in 2016, with Nissan consistently moving about 1,000 Qashqais each month. Not bad for a car that many people haven’t even heard of.

The driving configuration is somewhat limited, although it at least comes with two engine options: a 2-litre petrol engine with 106 kilowatts, or a more efficient 1.6-litre 96-killowatt turbo-diesel engine. Enthusiasts of manual control might be dismayed to learn that the diesel variant only comes with the choice of an automatic transmission; however, the petrol version gives you the option for either manual or automatic.

However, if you do want to go with the petrol variant for the manual control, you might want to think twice, as the petrol engine is thirstier than a lost tourist stuck in the Simpson Desert. While more economical, the diesel has shortcomings of its own; namely, its sluggish acceleration. However, if you plan to make many long-range journeys, this issue will potentially be less important. Where you will be hurt financially, though, is the servicing costs involved with the diesel, which can really make a significant dent in your bank account.

The Qashqai’s interior is large (as you would hope), and the ride is a comfortable one. However, this comes with the conceit of less gadgets. Drive-wise, the Qashqai doesn’t lean too much into bends, and the petrol engine — while not very economical — has a surprising amount of zip for a car of its size. One of the biggest cons, however, is the Qashqai’s deceptive appearance — which is to say that, despite its off-road design, the Qashqai only drives on its front wheels, and it isn’t designed for off-road use.

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