The compact SUV segment, which brings together players such as the Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Chevrolet Equinox and Toyota RAV4, is the one where it sells the most vehicles in the country. actual hour.
Consumer love for SUVs is a fascinating phenomenon that marks the first decades of this 21st century. The manufacturers, them, play this card to the bottom by multiplying the products of the kind.
In recent years, we have seen the emergence of the subcompact SUV segment. The latter grows at the rate at which mice reproduce; one newborn does not wait for the other. Only this year, Toyota gives birth to the C-HR, Ford announces the EcoSport and Nissan launches the Qashqai. Korean manufacturers Hyundai and Kia are preparing their respective solutions for us, while the Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V of this world continue to achieve great success.
In fact, the subcompact SUV niche is the fastest growing in the country right now. We let you guess what this means for a product like Qashqai ...
A MINI ROGUE?
The Nissan Qashqai has been rolling its bump for ten years in Europe. Three million copies have already been sold across the world, including 2.5 million on the old continent. The product is proven.
By taking it across the Atlantic now, Nissan is taking a doubly calculated risk.
Essentially, the Qashqai is a Dryer Rogue. The signature is very similar to the front with this "V" shaped grille and the angles taken by the design are similar from one model to another. A quick glance can even be confusing.
However, when we take the time to compare them, we can clearly see that the Qashqai is intended to be less high (98 mm) and shorter (250 mm). Of course, this all translates into a smaller interior space. This is particularly noticeable in the rear seats and the trunk when the bench seat remains raised. By folding the backrests 60/40, however, one frees up more than 1,500 liters of cargo space, which is very respectable.
The limits of the Nissan Qashqai end there, because with it, the buyer is entitled to everything he can find on a Rogue.
VERSIONS AND PRICES
Like its big brother, the Qashqai comes in 3 main versions, S, SV and SL, which offer a total of 7 levels of equipment.
The basic version gives you 3 and its very attractive price starts at 19,998 $. It is driven by the front wheels and has a 6-speed manual transmission. To keep the price below the psychological bar of 20,000 greenbacks, Nissan Canada had to make some heartbreaking choices. So the heated seats are included, but don't bother looking for cruise control. That, frankly, is unacceptable in my opinion; we are not talking about a Micra!
This basic front-wheel drive Qashqai is also offered with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Another option: you can get 4-wheel traction. Such offers are valued at $ 21,998 and $ 24,198 respectively.
By switching to the SV version, the equipment is gaining ground and, according to Nissan, this is where the majority of buyers will find their account. With amenities like the smart key, sunroof and 2-zone air conditioning come standard, it's easy to see why. The front-wheel drive variant costs $ 24,598, while for an additional $ 2,200, we count on four-wheel drive.
Finally, for those who crave more, the $ 29,498 Nissan Qashqai SV is equipped with maximum features like roof rails, 19-inch wheels, and a 360-degree camera. If you want to add a slew of security features, a Platinum package is available, increasing the bill to $ 32,198. Here, only all-wheel drive is possible.
A HONEST SUV
The word “honest” is probably the one that best defines the experience behind the wheel of the Qashqai. If driving pleasure is your priority, the Mazda CX-3 (which offers less space, by the way) will appeal to you more. Otherwise, you will be satisfied and even find that the Qashqai does it right.
To be more precise, let's mention that the ride is excellent. The generous suspension travel, on the other hand, promotes body roll and bounce on uneven surfaces. In addition, the direction is not very communicative and the CVT box makes the engine noisy during strong acceleration.
As for the manual gearbox, it makes driving much more dynamic and makes better use of the 141 horsepower of the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine found under the hood. However, the travel of the gear lever is important and, in some cases, a little imprecise. In addition, at cruising speed, the engine runs faster, resulting in higher fuel consumption. It remains my choice, despite everything. It is only a shame that it is not offered elsewhere in the range. Customers don't really want it anymore, and obviously it's just become a marketing tool that is used to lower the price to entice consumers. It's sad.
CONCLUSION
As of this writing, the 2017 Nissan Qashqai makes its dealership debut. Already, in some places, we are told that the order book is full. He's going to be successful, that's for sure. The price is good, the interest is there and the vehicle looks nice as a bonus.
Without delivering an exhilarating experience, its handling won't disappoint, as will its gas mileage of around 8.4 L / 100 km (plus or minus a few decimal places, depending on the version). 'a big surprise, the Qashqai is a safe buy, which is rare for a new product.
Crédit : Auto123