Nissan says that the 2-litre engine can now travel 14.5km per litre, or 2km per litre further than before.
More complete this time around, however, is the car’s backseat, which is more spacious than the older model’s. Apart from providing more legroom, the rear bench is also broader, so ferrying three average-sized adults is less of a squeeze.
To bolster the Qashqai’s driveability, engineers have managed to squeeze out 6bhp and 4Nm more from the 2-litre engine (identical to the unit in the preceding model) for 144bhp and 200Nm. But what makes this improvement more palpable is the motor’s wider powerband. The 144bhp is produced at 6000rpm instead of 5200rpm, while the torque arrives at 4400rpm instead of 4800rpm.
As a result, the new car feels a lot perkier than the old one, especially when moving off from a standstill or plugging gaps in traffic. The century dash is now accomplished in 10.1 seconds, or half a second quicker than before.
In addition, the CVT gearbox has an extra override “ratio”, for a total of seven. It has also been tuned to be creamier, and the “rubber band” effect has indeed been minimised.
What remains unchanged, though, is the Qashqai’s hatchback-like handling. Despite being 79kg heavier than before, it still tackles corners with nimbleness. Helping the crossover in this department are the new Active Trace Control, Active Engine Brake and Active Ride Control features.
Active Trace Control functions like a torque vectoring system – it applies the brakes to individual wheels while cornering, to help the driver “tuck” the vehicle into bends.
As its moniker suggests, Active Engine Brake helps decelerate the car, while?Active Ride Control monitors wheel movements and subtly applies the brakes to minimise pitching over rough surfaces. The result is a smoother, more comfortable ride.
Better-equipped, more refined and?more agile, the Qashqai could be the compact crossover that “lost” suburbanites, who have been wandering from one car showroom to another, are looking for.
Nissan Qashqai 2.0 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-4, 16-valves
Capacity 1997cc
Bore x stroke 84mm x 90.1mm
Compression Ratio 11.2:1
Max power 144bhp at 6000rpm
Max torque 200Nm at 4400rpm
Power to weight 104.4bhp per tonne
Gearbox CVT with 7-speed override
Driven wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 10.1 seconds
Top speed 184km/h
Consumption 14.5km/L (combined)
CO2 emission 159g/km
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs
Rear Multi-link, coil springs
BRAKES
Front / Rear Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
Type Continental ContiSportContact 5
Size 225/45 R19
SAFETY
Airbags 6
Traction aids ABS, VDC
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4380mm
Width 1806mm
Height 1590mm
Wheelbase 2646mm
Kerb weight 1379kg
Turning circle 10.6m
BUYING IT
Price incl. COE $141,800
Warranty 5 years/unlimited km
+ Roomier and quieter cabin, perkier performance, smoother drivetrain
– No seat-memory function, no paddle shifters, panoramic sunroof reduces rear headroom
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