Nissan QASHQAI ST+ 2024 Review

The 2024 Nissan Qashqai compact SUV line-up includes five models priced from $34,390 to $52,090 plus on-road costs.

Four of them, including the $38,390 (plus ORCs) second-rung-up ST+ we’re testing here, are powered by a 110kW/250Nm 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine mated with a CVT auto to drive the front wheels.

The only exception to this powertrain rule is the e-Power Ti Flagship that comes with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine further boosted by Nissan’s e-Power range-extender hybrid.

Price rises for the second-generation Qashqai were dramatic when it was announced in mid-2022, but Nissan has been pretty circumspect since then, allowing the opposition's pricing to catch up and leave the Qashqai more competitive.

Logical opponents for the 4425mm-long Qashqai (that’s up 35mm from the old model) come from across the compact and more truncated end of the medium SUV segments. So we’re talking about five-seat five-door SUVs such as the Honda ZR-V, Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30.

Base-line Qashqai exterior equipment includes LED lighting, alloy wheels and a small roof spoiler. The interior can be accessed via a remote key, and other standard items include manual air-conditioning (not auto climate control), an infotainment touch-screen, an analogue instrument panel with a large digital display in the centre and Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto.

Front seats are manually adjustable - barring powered lumbar - and trimmed in a durable-looking charcoal cloth.

ST+ additions over the entry-level ST include 18-inch alloy wheels, a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, satellite navigation and a 360-degree safety monitor.

But you’re still missing out on stuff like wireless Android Auto, a power tailgate, roof rails, phone charging and seat and steering wheel heating.

Driver assist systems include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and lane-keep assistance.

But there is no lane centring until the next model up, the ST-L. Front parking sensors join rear parking sensors in this grade too. Both are disappointing omissions from the ST+.

The Qashqai did very well in ANCAP testing against 2021 protocols, scoring a maximum five-star rating. It has seven airbags.

The Qashqai is covered by a five-year/unlimited km warranty and five-year roadside assist. Service intervals are 15,000km/12 months for all models bar the e-Power, which gets checked over every 10,000km/12 months.

According to figures published on the Nissan website in late 2024, the Qashqai ST+ will cost $2866 for its first five services. That averages out at an expensive $573.20 per visit.

You can gain a discount – about $300 - by pre-paying for those five services.

It’s a subjective view for sure, but the 2024 Nissan Qashqai ST+ does seem to be one of the best lookers in the segment. It walks a nicely defined line between the aggro ZR-V, sci-fi Kona and bread-box Corolla Cross.

Rolling on a new platform and independent rear suspension, the Qashqai ST+ is a sweet handler and a lithe steerer by the standards of its class.

Maybe it could be a bit more compliant at low speeds and the electric-assist steering a little less elastic off-centre (a common EPS tuning trait), but the overall ride and handling balance is in the right place. It’s a worthy improvement over the old model.

A more obvious although fixable irritant was the propensity for the lane keeping to be a bit obtuse. A shortcut turns this off.

Given its relatively compact size, the Qashqai ST+ does a good job of releasing plenty of interior space. There’s enough in the rear seat to fit six-footers at a pinch, so kids shouldn’t be a problem.

Doors that open wide are also useful for loading the younger kiddies into boosters (there are top tethers and ISOFIX mounts). Adjustable air-conditioning vents, USB-A and USB-C ports, door and map pockets, and a fold-down armrest with dual cupholders all help to make rear-seat passengers feel more welcome.

ST+ boot space is decent at 429 litres expanding to 1524 litres with the rear seats 60/40 split-folded. You can even fit a large mountain bike in there without having to remove the rear wheel. A temporary spare tyre lives under the boot floor, which is not a given these days.

Up front, the UK-built Qashqai ST+ is pretty subdued in its tones, but it all works together very well. The upholstery is generally nice, but the steering wheel feels plasticky.

The seats are generously sized and the driver has reach and rake adjustment for the flat-bottom steering wheel.

The size and presentation of the various screens represent a substantial improvement over the old setup.

There is also a fair number of storage options to place your stuff, along with a couple of USB-A and USB-C ports to plug in portable devices.

You might have noticed no mention of the powertrain in the ‘what’s good’ section of this 2024 Nissan Qashqai ST+ review.

Well, it’s not all bad news, but there is some, which is where we’ll start.

There seems to be a disconnect somewhere between the throttle pedal and the wheels turning when accelerating from a stationary start.

There are varying levels of tip-in lag on offer here, from sometimes barely noticeable to obvious at other times. This is an annoyance for a car that’s going to spend a substantial amount of its driving life in the cut and thrust of city and suburban traffic.

When that happens it’s common to over-react and press the throttle too hard to compensate, only then to have the Qashqai launch forward with too many revs onboard, giving the steering wheel a torque-steering tug along the way.

Hopefully, the Qashqai’s incoming 2025 update will bring a retune to smooth this out. If you test drive the Qashqai, see whether you encounter this disconnect and decide whether it’s an issue for you.

Once the engine has a few revs in hand, it sorts itself out impressively – told you there was good news. It roundly trumps the old Qashqai’s 2.0-litre naturally aspirated 106kW/200Nm engine for response and enthusiasm.

The new engine’s pretty decent when it comes to fuel economy too, averaging 7.6L/100km on test versus the 6.1L/100km claim. There was some hard revving during the test drive so that’s an acceptable result. However, the Qashqai ST+ prefers more expensive 95 RON fuel.

The CVT no doubt contributed to the decent economy by keeping the engine in its sweet spot as much as possible.

Artificial gear steps did help lower the rev-manic sensation, as did sport mode and manually shifting via flappy paddles on the steering wheel.

The 2024 Nissan Qashqai ST+ is a mostly competent and in some ways impressive compact SUV.

There are omissions from a much-improved equipment list that seem weird, like dual-zone climate control, front parking sensors and lane centring.

But the laggy engine at tip-in throttle would have to be the most annoying trait.

The flipside is dynamic balance. Nissan has clearly decided this was going to be a sportier, more harmonised drive. That paid off because that decision has produced a nimble and enjoyable car.

Then there’s the growth in size that has made it just that bit more welcoming for passengers and their luggage.

Overall, with its rivals (sadly) catching up on price, the Qashqai ST+ stacks up as a real contender in its segment and is worthy of serious consideration.

2024 Nissan Qashqai at a glance:

Price: $38,390 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 110kW/250Nm
Transmission: CVT automatic
Fuel: 6.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 138g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five stars (ANCAP 2021)

Related: Nissan Qashqai e-power 2023 Review – International

Related: Nissan Qashqai ST-L 2023 Review

Related: Nissan Qashqai pricing and specifications