2014 Nissan Qashqai
The Qashqai has been a massive hit for Nissan for one simple reason. Buyers love the fact that it has rugged off-roader looks without the high purchase prices and hefty running costs associated with a genuine 4x4.
The second generation Qashqai “ups the anti” considerably in that it looks even sharper and more efficient than before while adding a whole heap of other abilities into the mix as well. The sharpness comes from the Qashqai’s crisp lines and bold details. The deep angular grill is a casing point and the sharp edged angular headlights, with their LED integrated daytime running lights, also help give the impression of smartness and sophistication. Things also look rather swish down the sides of the car thanks to the rear windows that kick up towards the back and the steeply raked rear screen. The back-end looks just as sharp thanks to the swooping light clusters and the compact muscular rear haunches.
All versions of the Nissan Qashqai look good but if you go for the entry level trim then you miss out on alloy wheels which is a must. As you progress further up the trim range you get more and more styling goodies provided as standard.
Importantly, the Qashqai looks just as stylish on the inside as it does on the outside. That’s mainly because all of the materials have a plush and high grade feel to them. The dashboard design is quite modern but it’s also really simple to use. All of the various switches and buttons are logically placed and clearly marked. You also get that high driving position that SUV buyers absolutely love and there’s loads of adjustments to help you get comfortable. Unfortunately, the small back window does mean that rear visibility could be better but to be honest that’s the cabin’s only real weak point. One of this car’s really strong points however is practicality which is very important for a family car. There’s loads of room in the back for two lofty adults to get comfortable. Also the middle seat is really wide it means that you could quite easily fit three at the back without too much trouble.
The boot is amongst the class leaders in terms of space and there are some really clever touches as well. For example, the boards flatten out the load area when you drop the rear seats and they can also be slotted in vertically to stop small items sliding around.
The other thing that makes the Qashqai a great family car is the way it drives. It’s a really smooth and comfortable car mainly because the suspension does a really brilliant job of soaking up bumps at low speed. It’s also civilised and stable at higher speeds. The handling isn’t bad either as the body stays reasonably upright in bends so you’re not getting thrown around in your seat. With lots of grip and nicely weighted steering the Qashqai really does feel secure and predictable. The other big plus point is the car’s refinement where wind and road noise are really well isolated while the engine sounds smooth and quiet.
The Qashqai provides all of the things that any family could want in a car, space, versatility, style, quality, comfort and refinement is all there. It’s also very well equipped, affordable to buy and incredibly cheap to run. With that kind of all-round ability it’s simply one of the best small SUVs money can buy!
