Urban Nomad
The Qashqai is Nissan’s newest crossover vehicle, slotted somewhere in between a car and a mini SUV. OER takes it for a spin

Nissan’s new Qashqai is a catalyst for change. A totally new vehicle in a totally new sector of the car market. The Qashqai mixes elegance, agility and sheer ability in one very different package. It is the same size as a Ford Focus, yet smaller than a typical compact SUV and promises the driving comfort and fun of the former with the ability and practicality of the latter. Its distinctive styling is a marriage of the sleek shape of a passenger car with the strength of a 4WD to create something fresh and different in the new car market. Named after a desert-dwelling nomadic tribe living near the Zagros Mountains in South Western Iran, Qashqai should be seen as an ‘Urban Nomad’.

Although initial design concepts started in Japan, most of Qashqai’s design and development work has been undertaken in Europe, notably at Nissan Design Europe in London and at Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) in Cranfield also in the UK. It is built at Sunderland in Nissan’s award-winning plant in the North East of England.

Qashqai’s dynamic exterior is matched by an asymetric interior, providing a focused cockpit environment for the driver and a relaxing space for the occupants. High seating positions provide the sense of security normally found in an SUV, yet is more dynamic with the handling capabilities of a hatchback. It offers a choice of two and four-wheel drive and is powered by a 2.0-litre engine developing 142hp and driven by a CVT with a 6-speed manual mode.

The carefully conceived interior is crammed with intelligent storage solutions for maximum functionality and flexibility. It is also very well built with high quality plastics and soft touch leather. Features are in abundance – the car we drove had cruise control, 6CD changer, Bluetooth and much more.

Nissan’s electronically controlled ALL-MODE 4x4 system – as pioneered in X-TRAIL – is available in 2.0-litre versions. Despite having greater ground clearance than an ordinary hatchback, Qashqai’s 4WD provides greater traction for safer driving and extra control in all weather conditions but keep in mind that it is not designed as a go-anywhere 4WD.

Safety is a key strength of the vehicle too. A rigid bodyshell providing maximum passive safety is matched by a plethora of active safety features including the latest generation ESP which includes brake torque control and engine torque control. The braking system is similarly advanced and features Hydraulic Fade Compensation (HFC) to provide good stopping power at all times.

The drive is where things get confusing, meaning, it looks and feels like a small SUV but drives like a car. Its grip and composure through turns is great and it eats up bumps and potholes. Even the steering is well weighted, although it does take a little bit of getting used to. The high seating position provides very good visibility of the road ahead. If there is anything to be concerned about, it is the rear visibility. This is slightly limited due to the Qashqai’s increased height and a small rear screen. Overall Nissan have done a good job of the noise insulation and passenger comfort levels, but there is quite a bit of wind noise at high speeds due to the shape of the exterior mirrors. Other than these minor quips the vehicle, for what it is, is great.

So the final question is: Who will buy Qashqai? Just as this car doesn’t conform to a norm, its customers will tend to be individuals with their own agendas. It is best suited for those who are looking for the practicality of a SUV but not its size. yet have the drivability of a car. Prices start from RO 8,500 for the basic 2WD models.