If executing a tight reverse parking manoeuvre on a busy street with an audience of latte-lapping onlookers is the stuff of your nightmares, then the new Nissan Qashqai might be just for you.

 

One of three new Nissan SUVs released in late 2022, the top-spec Qashqai Ti can park itself at the press of a button, which is a pretty-cool face-saving trick for anyone who has ever had to exit a reverse car park that they’ve fluffed.

You simply engage the system via a touchscreen and select which side or direction you want to park in.

From there, Intelligent Park Assist will identify a suitable parking space and provide a virtual bird’s-eye view on the screen via a quartet of cameras on the front, rear and wing mirrors.

Once in position to begin the parking manoeuvre, the system takes over the steering, leaving the driver to handle braking and acceleration.

We tried it and the car executed perfect reverse and parallel parks in spaces we might otherwise have driven past.

Intelligent Park Assist is just one of a raft of new technologies in this new Qashqai which is still classified as a small SUV but is actually bigger in almost every dimension, so closer to a mid-sized model.

The Qashqai is even built on the same platform as its larger mid-size stablemate, the equally new X-Trail, but where the X-Trail offers a compact third-row option, the Qashqai is five-seat only.

It’s among the first new models including the X-Trail to feature Nissan’s new CMF-C platform which is claimed to be stronger and safer due to greater use of high-strength steel.

 

The new structure is also lighter with other weight-saving additions including aluminium doors, front guards and bonnet.

 

While that’s all invisible to the naked eye, what is quickly evident is that the European-designed and engineered Qashqai is a handsomely styled machine, featuring the sort of crisp, well-crafted lines that we’ve come to expect more from Mazda than Nissan.

 

Nissan says its new SUV ushers in a “fresh, athletic European styling package” with its floating roof design, shark-fin aerial and integrated rear spoiler.

 

 

It is not just sleeker looking, but also smoother through the air thanks to aerodynamic innovations like an active grille shutter, air curtain airflow enhancements and a flat underfloor.

 

The Mazda CX-30 and MX-30 are, of course, two of a fleet of rival models the Qashqai must go up against in the hotly contested small SUV showroom battle.

 

Others include the category-leading MG ZS, Mitsubishi ASX and GWM Haval Jolion.

The Qashqai is priced more in line with these Mazda rivals than it is with those more affordable offerings.

The line-up kicks off with the entry-level Qashqai ST priced at $33,890 (MRLP) and steps up through ST+, ST-L and Ti variants. All models except for the ST include a $500 two-tone paint option for the roof, which pushes the price of the top-spec Qashqai Ti with two-tone paint to $47,890 (MRLP).

For those playing along at home and thinking ‘that’s a fair price hike over the old model’, you’re spot on.

The entry-level ST is $300 more expensive than its predecessor while the top-spec Ti is a whopping $8,300 more expensive.

By way of comparison, the Mazda CX-30 range kicks off at $30,210 and runs up to $48,310 but the latter buys a 2.0-litre petrol all-wheel drive Astina hybrid, where the Qashqai is front-wheel drive and petrol powered only.

The closest non-hybrid CX-30 to the top Qashqai Ti’s price is the G25 Astina at $45,310, but here again the Mazda is all-wheel drive and packing a 139kW/252Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder.

The Qashqai can’t match the Mazda in the capacity stakes, but its zesty 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol turbo summons a respectable 110kW/215kW, despite giving away more than a litre in cubic capacity to the Mazda.

The new Nissan engine’s outputs are up 4kW and 50Nm over the outgoing Qashqai’s 2.0-litre non-turbo engine and the new engine proves a handy performer, boosting up quickly and delivering both good throttle response and acceleration.

With its maximum torque available from 1,600rpm the Qashqai is a less rowdy and more effortless proposition than the old unit, requiring less revs to get the job done.

Its fuel consumption is also better, with the new engine sipping 6.1L/100, down from 6.9L/100km, while braked tow capacity is boosted from 1,200kg to a handy 1,500kg.

We didn’t try towing with the Qashqai but in unladen city or country running the smaller four-pot felt unstressed and handled its work smoothly and energetically.

 

It’s hitched to the latest generation X-Tronic CVT with paddle shifts on the Ti and three selectable drive modes, and this again is one of the better CVT’s we’ve driven.

 

We seem to be saying that a bit of late, so maybe CVTs have finally come of age.

 

Regardless, the transmission delivers seamless upshifts at slower speeds and sharper, step-like shifts under hard acceleration in Sport mode.

 

Unfortunately, there’s no all-wheel drive model available and the Qashqai’s front-drive underpinnings are occasionally evident via the front tyres breaking traction, accompanied by a hint of wrist-flexing torque steer if over-eager on the throttle when exiting a corner.

 

Ride on the 19-inch wheels of the high-grade Ti and ST-L variants is on the firm side, creating some unnecessary jostle and bump for occupants even on smooth roads.

 

It’s better on the 17-inch wheel-equipped ST or even the 18-inch ST+, so if you’re particularly sensitive to ride issues it might be wise to forgo some fruit.

 

Whatever the grade, the attractively designed and well-finished interior delivers a handy amount of space and is easily accessed via wide-opening rear doors.

 

Inside, this new Qashqai has a decidedly premium feel, particularly in ST-L and Ti grades and it’s evident that Nissan has made a real effort to lift the quality of its interior design and presentation.

 

Notable features of the Ti include soft-touch materials with premium quilted embroidered leather, ambient interior lighting, heated leather seats with massage function for driver and passenger, 10-speaker Bose stereo, wireless phone charger, heated leather steering wheel, dual zone climate control, panoramic glass roof and more.

 

The entry-level ST gets a smaller 8-inch colour touchscreen with wired Apple Carplay and Android Auto, along with a 7-inch TFT digital instrument cluster, while all other models feature a larger 12.3-inch colour touchscreen with wireless Apple Carplay and larger 12.3-inch digital dash with two switchable layouts. The Ti also boasts a 10.8-inch HUD (head up display) which includes navigation directions, road speed signs, and vehicle speed.

 

 

Importantly, given that its target audience includes both young families and older empty nesters who occasionally need to ferry the grandkids, the new models expanded dimensions equate to valuable improvements in front seat shoulder room, as well as expanded rear seat legroom and headroom.

 

Boot space is a generous 429 litres, but the Ti loses 11 litres (418L) due to the placement of a stereo sub-woofer.

 

The Ti’s boot is accessed via a hands-free tailgate operated via the key fob or a kick under the rear bumper, and there’s a reversible Divide-N-Hide configurable cargo system supplied as standard on all models which aids load space versatility.

 

With larger and wider tyres, a widened track and longer wheelbase, all Qashqai models feel more settled and composed on the road.

 

Multilink rear suspension helps in this regard, while the electric power steering is appropriately weighted and direct for the purpose.

 

On the safety front, Nissan claims 10 new safety features standard across the range, including a front far side airbag which brings the total to seven.

 

Other safety tech contributing to the Qashqai’s 2021 five-star ANCAP rating includes intelligent forward emergency braking with new predictive function, and adaptive driving beam headlights capable of switching segments of the light on and off to avoid dazzling other drivers.

 

The ST-L and Ti models also gets the same ProPilot+ semi-autonomous driving system recently introduced on Nissan’s X-Trail and Pathfinder, which helps the vehicle stay in its lane and maintain a safe distance to the vehicle in front. It can automatically lower vehicle speed when following traffic, stop if necessary, and reaccelerate back up to speed.

 

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Pricing kicks off with the entry-level Qashqai ST at $33,890 (MRLP) which gets features like 17-inch alloy wheels, auto LED headlights with high-beam assist, digital radio, 8-inch colour touchscreen, 7-inch digital instrument cluster, cloth trim, rear camera, and rear parking sensors.

Stepping up to the ST+ hikes the price to $37,890 but brings the larger 12.3-inch colour touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, 18-inch alloy wheels, optional two-tone roof colour scheme, LED front fog lights, satellite navigation, Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection, and Rain-sensing front wipers.

 

For $42,190, the Qashqai ST-L adds 19-inch alloys, adaptive LED headlights, wireless phone charging, 360-degree camera, dual zone climate control, leather and cloth accented seats, heated front seats, and ProPilot⁺ with Lane Keep Assist.

 

Finally, for $47,390 (MRLP) the Ti gets a full suite of features including panoramic glass roof, 10.8-inch head-up display, motion-activated tailgate, quilted premium leather-accented trim, massage front seats, and a driver memory front seat.

 

The Qashqai comes with a five years/unlimited-kilometre warranty and five years roadside assistance. Servicing costs are $1,467 over three years, $2,494 over four years, or $2916 over five years.

 

After a long period of being in the doldrums with some dated products occupying its showrooms, Nissan has now refreshed the majority of its SUV range and the Qashqai is arguably the most improved new model of the lot.

 

It’s an impressive medium SUV that delivers the right combination of performance, efficiency, safety, technology, and driving dynamics to give the segment incumbents a good shake up. It’s also a right-sized SUV for urban duties but has enough space to double as a small family runabout.

Key stats

• PRICE: $47,390 (MRLP) 
• ENGINE: 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol turbo (110kW/215Nm).
• ANCAP CRASH RATING: Five Star 2021
• FUEL CONSUMPTION (combined cycle, litres/100km): 6.1L/100km (138g CO2/km)
• FOR: Attractive design, generous equipment list, good technology, brisk performance, roomy interior, quality finishes.
• AGAINST: 95 RON fuel, big price rises over previous model, temporary spare wheel.