Nissan QASHQAI Ti 2014 Review

Wedged between the smaller and slightly off-beat-styled JUKE and the accomplished all-terrain X-TRAIL, the new Nissan QASHQAI [what is it with Nissan's capital-letter naming convention] takes a confident stand somewhere in the middle, with inspiration from the entire Nissan stable it seems.

At face value, there's a lot to like. It offers the much sought after elevated ride height of an SUV – and the ease of entry and exit that goes with it – versatile passenger and load space, small-capacity economical engines (petrol and diesel) and a considerable equipment list (standard plus options).

What it doesn't have, nor does it pretend to have, is any off-road capability – curbs and roundabouts aside – so buyers no longer need to feign off-road intentions to justify buying an SUV.

The QASHQAI is available as a five-seater and in front-wheel drive only. Under the bonnet, however, you have some choice – a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine mated exclusively to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or a 2.0-litre petrol engine that is offered with a choice of six-speed manual or CVT. Each offers two trim levels, ST and Ti for the petrol and TS and TL for the diesel.

Slipping inside, there's an unexpected level of opulence that positions the Ti model as a worthy rival to segment heroes such as the Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai ix35. And upon closer inspection, the kit on offer does not disappoint.

Standard equipment includes LED daytime running lights, cruise control, heated leather-accented seats, 19-inch alloy wheels, a rear-view camera, push button ignition, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, sat-nav, electric folding mirrors, rear privacy glass, a panoramic glass roof, dual-zone climate control, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, moving object detection and the list goes on...

The technology suite in the petrol Ti is vast and intuitive beyond many more expensive rivals. Bluetooth connectivity for handsfree telephony and audio streaming works seamlessly, while the driver assistance technology is busy (with visual and audible warnings), but not intrusive.

The infotainment cluster in the Ti creates a home for all tech functions, with clearly labelled buttons for phone, radio, audio and maps. You can also initiate the rear-view camera whenever you like with the push of a button. Lower in the centre stack are equally concise controls for the dual-zone climate control system, which maintains cabin temperature effortlessly.

Swapping into the entry-level diesel TS, the story saddened. You miss the glitzy finish and much of the technology. It has a smaller infotainment screen, no push button ignition or heated seats, and lacks many of the basics like the second-row centre armrest and numerous cupholders. The downgrade in equipment and finish screams 'entry-level'.

The QASHQAI did, however, score top marks for its load capacity and versatility, coping with our family holiday with ease. The second row readily accommodated two child seats and a teenager, as well as the family load of luggage. While up front, driver and passenger accommodation is very comfortable. In cabin storage is great, too, with plenty of sensible spots for keys, phones and other incidentals, and for me, the ergonomics are spot on.

There's no option for a third-row of seating in the QASHQAI line up -- you'll need to move up to the X-TRAIL for that.

On the road the Ti's 2.0-litre petrol engine performed well, with the CVT showing smooth power delivery for the most part. Under harder acceleration the CVT drone is evident, but scooting around town the engine is quite refined and the cabin well insulated from engine noise. The diesel is louder, as expected, but far from intrusive, and its superior torque and fuel efficiency makes it the pick of the bunch.

While the QASHQAI is neither sporty nor hugely powerful, the dynamics are such that there's something suitably engaging about driving it. Around town and on the freeway the QASHQAI felt planted and on more demanding country roads it maintained good composure with well tuned suspension on its side. The steering is nice in hand and the weight can be adjusted through two settings: normal or sport. Essentially, the system adds weight rather than feel.

We put the QASHQAI through its paces with a balance of inner city and freeway driving – the exact conditions it's made for. The petrol Ti delivered an average fuel consumption figure of 7.0L/100km (as tested), while the diesel-powered TS proved more efficient again at 5.8L/100km in similar test conditions.

The QASHQAI gains a five-star ANCAP safety rating and comes with a three-year/100,000km warranty programme with included roadside assistance. A capped-price servicing program is also included for the first 12 service intervals or 120,000km (whichever comes first) with petrol models costing $207 at the first service and diesel models $240. Service intervals are fixed at 12 months or 10,000km (again, whichever comes first).

With six QASHQAI variants to consider, and a starting price of $25,850 (plus ORCs), Nissan's smaller SUV delivers all the bits we look for in a city-dwelling SUV – and for that reason alone is well worth a look.

Also consider:
>> Hyundai ix35 (from $26,990)
>> Mitsubishi ASX (from $24,990)
>> Skoda Yeti (from $23,490)