Nissan's newest cash cow

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), March 30, 2007

Byline: By Roger Mills

Roger Mills assesses the new Washington-built Qashqai

The new, Washington-built, Nissan Qashqai is a convincing 4x4 lookalike for the road. It's available with two or four-wheel drive, but the company realised some time ago that most people only wanted the 4x4 looks not the capability.

With the demise of both the Almera and Primera from the range it has a lot to do, but good looks, reminiscent of the larger Nissan Murano, and a decent range of engines should see it appeal to many people.

Oddly it has only four seats, which cuts the appeal somewhat, but it does look and feel great in most other directions.

A high driving position gives great vision and, despite its seeming bulk, it's as easy to drive as a Ford Focus, which is actually about the same size.

Engines are 1.6 and two-litre petrol and 1.5 or two-litre diesel with five speed manual or CVT auto gearbox, with prices starting at pounds 13,499.

Qashqai facts and figures:

Make: Nissan Qashqai 1.6 Visia

Price: pounds 13,499

Mechanical: 115bhp, 1,598cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox

Max speed: 109mph

0-62mph: 12 seconds

Combined mpg: 42.2

Insurance group: N/A

CO2 emissions: 162g/km

BiK rating: 19%

Warranty: 3 years/ 60,000 miles, 3 years paint, 12 years anti-rust

Interior: Two sculptured rear seats mean only four in total, comfort is excellent with good refinement at speed and the boot is very large, perhaps making it possible for two extra child seats to be added later. All versions are well equipped with plenty of air bags, remote central locking, keyless entry and electric windows.

Marks out of 10: 9/10

Main Rival: Suzuki SX4/Fiat Sedici