New Nissan Qashqai: Everything You Need To Know
It’s official; the new third-generation Nissan Qashqai has finally launched in South Africa! Based on first impressions, it was well worth the wait as the refreshed 2022 Nissan Qashqai delivers on all fronts and punches above its weight in so many ways. Here is a closer look at the latest addition to the growing Nissan range.
What’s New On The 2022 Nissan Qashqai?
The fresh-faced 2022 Nissan Qashqai is the perfect blend between a hatchback and an SUV. It not only looks the part but it’s practical, versatile and economical with great value for money, especially considering the range of class-leading features.
The Nissan Qashqai set the industry benchmark and delivers something even more special with the introduction of the new model. They’ve given the new Qashqai a more muscular stance and sharper exterior with modern and sportier styling; indicative of the design consistency in the Nissan crossover range.
The new Qashqai is built on the automaker’s robust CMF-C platform and weighs up to 60 kg less than the outgoing model. To help with weight reduction — and keep up to date with the latest automotive design trends — the rear hatch consists of composite material while the front fenders, doors and bonnet are made from aluminium.
As a result of shedding weight, the new Nissan Qashqai delivers a better overall driving experience and fuel economy. It also offers more interior space and legroom due to the larger dimensions, i.e. 20mm longer wheelbase, 25mm higher and 32mm wider.
Top Shelf Styling And Features
The new Nissan Qashqai features sleek design lines, a bigger V-motion front grille and slim LED matrix headlamps with new daylight running lights. At the rear, the new Qashqai also gets a pair of slim LED tail light clusters. It also gets new alloy wheels with sizes ranging from 17-inches to 19-inches depending on the variant you choose. To help make it stand out even more, the 2022 Nissan Qashqai is available in 11 body colours and five two-tone combinations.
On the inside, you will find an all-new dashboard design with a large touchscreen infotainment system as well as refreshed materials and finishes. The seats have also been redesigned for improved comfort, and the cabin now offers more space than ever.
Even the base model Nissan Qashqai Visia (R568,200) looks luxurious with plenty of standard features. It has 17-inch alloy wheels, a push-button start system, a wireless charging pad, cruise control, a 7-inch multifunction display and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system paired with a reverse camera.
The mid-level Nissan Qashqai Acenta model (R639,300) features everything from the base model with auto levelling and high-beam assist, 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, a 360-degree around-view monitor and a significantly larger 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
At the top of the range is the flagship Nissan Qashqai Accenta Plus model (R670,600) with exclusive additions, including premium heated Nappa leather seats with a massage function. It also gets 19-inch alloy wheels, tilt reverse side mirrors and a Bose sound system with 10 speakers.
Nissan Qashqai Engine Specifications And Performance
All three trim levels feature the same 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol engine with no diesel option largely due to Euro legislation. While the mid-level Accenta and the top-spec Accenta Plus delivers 110kW at 5,500rpm and 250Nm at 3,750rpm to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), the entry level Qashqai Visia is only available with a six-speed manual gearbox, delivering 96kW and 240Nm.
Not that speed is an important consideration when buying SUVs, the Qashqai is pretty nippy. The base model has a top speed of 198 km/h and can reach 0-100km/h in 10.3 seconds. The Acenta and Acenta Plus models, however, can go from 0-100km/h in just 8,9 seconds with a top speed of 206km/h. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle for these two models is 6.1l/100km while the base model measures 6.4l/100km.
Safety First For The New Nissan Qashqai
Safety has always been at the top of the list for the Japanese automaker and it’s evident in the new Nissan Qashqai. A few years ago, Nissan introduced it’s safety and driver aid package called Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM) and it’s included on the Qashqai along with NissanConnect 2.0 and Nissan ProPILOT.
We’ve listed some of the safety features below but some may vary depending on the model. For a full breakdown of all the safety features across the entire range, talk to our sales team or download the brochure.
- Six airbags
- ABS with EBD
- Brake assist
- Hill start assist
- Traction control
- Predictive front collision warning
- Lane departure warning
- Lane-keep assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Tyre Pressure Monitor
- Intelligent Around View Monitor
The new Nissan Qashqai also offers an intuitive and protective driving experience thanks to the driver attention alert system which addresses potential driver fatigue. If it detects any change in bevahiour that is consistent with a drowsy driver, it will use an audible alert and display an amber coffee cup with a message to “Take a break?”
Verdict
Nissan has a proven track record for bringing us durable, reliable, safe and affordable cars and the Qashqai is no different. From its stylish appearance, rugged build quality, reliable engine, luxurious interior and long list of safety features, the 2022 Nissan Qashqai is well worth considering.
So, there you have it! The new Nissan Qashqai is a fantastic all-rounder that checks all the right boxes! If you’re in the market for a new SUV, be sure to test drive the new Nissan Qashqai. You won’t be disappointed.
