Nissan QASHQAI ST-L 2018 Review

When you slip behind the wheel of an all-new model, it’s a pretty exciting moment. Experiencing the latest that a manufacturer’s engineering, design and marketing teams can cook up is a revealing and usually rewarding experience.

When it’s a vehicle update, like with the MY18 Nissan QASHQAI, it requires a more rigorous appreciation; here, Nissan has done the obligatory front-end redesign and minor tail-end tidy-up, but under the skin there are some pretty subtle yet important changes.

Some of them we were not game to test. Autonomous emergency braking and forward collision alert are the main safety additions to the new QASHQAI range. This technology offers great peace of mind, knowing that it will warning you of an impending shunt and, if the speed is low enough, brake and so avoid disaster.

Interior comforts
Getting settled in the ST-L’s driver’s seat, the new front seat design is immediately obvious — with the longer base and additional side bolstering in particular, the seats do feel more supportive and comfortable than before.

The QASHQAI’s new steering wheel, with its controls for trip computer, cruise control and audio works in well with the simple, easy-to-find carry-over controls and instruments.

While Nissan’s design team might’ve given into fashion with the flat-bottom design, the wheel is certainly no worse for it.

The QASHQAI’s rear seat is a bit flat and firmly cushioned, but like up front there is plenty of headroom and good leg room for the class. There are no rear air-vents or charging ports however.

You do get seat pockets, one cubby in the rear of the centre console and four cup-holders — one each in the doors and two in the fold-down centre armrest. There are two ISOFIX child seat attachments in the outboard seat positions and three top-tether points on the seat backs.

The boot is a useful 430-litre capacity (with the seats up) and the space-saver spare is tucked under the boot floor.

Performance matters
The 2.0-litre engine teamed with the CVT auto gives adequate if not sizzling performance — much in line with its competitors.

The CVT is unobtrusive when dawdling along, but when digging deep to join a freeway or overtaking for example, it allows the engine to flare up to around 5000rpm. From here the engine reaches about 6000rpm before the CVT steps it down to about 5200rpm, ready to climb in revs again.

It’s a most disconcerting thing to anyone who’s driven a manual with a slipping clutch (for anyone who remembers what a manual or a clutch are) and it’s a conversation-stopper too.

We averaged 8.0L/100km in fairly easy touring conditions, which is a fair way off the claimed 6.9L/100km average.

With its 65-litre fuel capacity, the QASHQAI will at least give a good 750km touring range (with a safety reserve) consuming fuel at the rate the trip computer showed on our test car.

Keeping quiet
Nissan’s efforts at reducing NVH levels appear mostly effective. Aside from the busy engine when accelerating hard (and some more obvious tyre noise on the N-TEC’s 19-inch wheels), the cabin does seem quieter.

The firmer ride is obvious when tackling well-formed but undulating roads at speed -- the QASHQAI’s body control is quite good.

It was only when traversing badly potholed dirt road sections on the launch that it seemed as if Nissan could have backed off a setting or two when calibrating the revised suspension.

Nonetheless, the QASHQAI is one of the more involving drives in its class, lacking excessive bodyroll and benefitting from well-weighted steering (even if it’s a little indirect and lacking in feel).

While many of the improvements are not clearly tangible (such as AEB), the updated QASHQAI is a more resolved SUV than before, making it even better placed to take on key competitors in the hotly contested small SUV class.

2018 Nissan QASHQAI ST-L pricing and specifications:
Price: $32,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 106kW/200Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 6.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 159g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP