Nissan has produced a very attractive alternative in the family hatch arena.
Designing a crossover vehicle presents a real challenge for chassis engineers. A high centre of gravity has a negative effect on handling. Despite this, the Qashqai is surprisingly adept in corners. The steering, while somewhat lacking in feel, is fluid and direct, allowing for precise turn-in. A taut body and well controlled suspension mean the Qashqai rolls slightly, but then maintains its composure. As a result, it’s agile and reassuring. Under braking, it’s very stable and feels well controlled, while the ride is impressive too. The damping in particular is cosseting. However, over sharp bumps, particularly in corners, the body shimmies. But this is the only time it lets you down. We tested the 1.5-litre dCi diesel, which may not be the most powerful around, but is very refined and smooth. Combine this with the slick six-speed gearbox and light but well placed pedals, and the Qashqai is a very user-friendly machine.
Read Article