When it was born 14 years ago it was the only one, now there are 26 direct rivals who want to take away the best-selling crossover scepter. We are obviously talking about Nissan Qashqai, the inventor of the crossover segment that today comes to his third generation. Nissan Qashqai 2021 totally renews the aesthetics, the interiors but above all the driving, which reaches a level never reached by the Japanese SUV. Will it be enough to return the best-selling crossover on the market? We put it to the test in our first test, between the coast and the hills of the province of Rome.
Nissan Qashqai 2021 from the outside: more dynamic, it looks small but is actually bigger
We made a deepening on the occasion of the Italian presentation of Nissan Qashqai, that you find at the bottom of the page and where we had gone in the detail of the shapes of this new Nissan Qashqai 2021. Today, however, we will go into detail, after having tried it in three different versions, and we were able to verify its lines live, where we well know that the final effect can change not a little compared to photographersAnd. And the impact is indeed very different from that of the previous Qashqai series. The second generation of the Japanese crossover was indeed very massive and reassuring, but not very dynamic and slender.
Nissan Qashqai 2021 is the exact opposite. Much more modern and current, the Japanese crossover abandons that massive look to resume the dynamism of its little sister Juke. From her, Qashqai resumes il new front with chrome V-Motion grille completely redesigned, larger and equipped with a double finish, satin and chrome, which makes it more three-dimensional. Very special i fari, Full LED as standard on all versions and adaptive on top of the range versions. The design is subtle, and the headlamp is separated into two bodies divided by a bumper flap, in body color, which makes its look very special. The aerodynamics are also taken care of, with different air intakes, real and functional, which lower the aerodynamic coefficient to the advantage of silence and efficiency. The hood is long and slender, and the front looks like a smaller, more dynamic car than in the past.
In reality, however, Qashqai is 3,2 cm wider and 3,5 cm longer than before, reaching 4.43 m long and 1.84 m wide. From the side you can see how despite the extra centimeters and the new aesthetic setting, the classical proportions of Qashqai remained unchanged: rather long bonnet, long cockpit e rather wide wheelbase, from 2,66 m. La side view by Qashqai does not give room for criticism: very slender and dynamic, sports rims up to a whopping 20 inches in diameter, and the high waistline is emphasized by a scratch that starts from the squared air intakes and reaches the vertical line from which the headlights start, with a very pleasant continuity with the front.
The rear, on the other hand, is fluid and square at the same time. The rear wing is beautiful and functional, followed by a hint of the third volume under the rear window from which the Nissan logo, the headlights and the Qashqai lettering start. The LED floodlights are horizontal to emphasize the width of the Japanese crossover, while the bumper does not sport exhausts, neither real nor fake, but a very rugged silver bumper. I close the aesthetic examination by pointing out a couple of very accurate details of this new Qashqai.
The contrasting roof is very nice and gives a lot of personality, both on the flashy blue and on the light gray you see in the photo. In the end, the front fender, at the height of the rear-view mirror, has the Qashqai name printed as a kind of bas-relief in the bodywork. A really interesting detail, which makes us understand the quality leap of the project.
The revolution is inside: classic lines, but a lot of practicality and ease of use. And what a quality!
And if the Nissan Qashqai 2021 leap in quality is already noticeable outside, inside there was a real revolution compared to previous generations, and in general compared to all previous models of the House. Forget the lines and materials of classic Japanese, simple and sometimes a little too traditional. Both in terms of design and above all qualitative, this Nissan Qashqai 2021 has really made an almost unexpected leap. Mind you, the other Qashqai, which have always been made for the European market in the factory in Sunderland, England, have always been assembled with care. The technological solutions, the materials used and some aesthetic solutions, however, were not a reference, while today Qashqai is at the level of the best in class.
Let's start immediately with the lines. We don't have a cabin that makes you say “wow” for its out of the ordinary aesthetics, but it is extremely elegant, practical and functional. The dashboard has a horizontal development that emphasizes the excellent availability of space, with all the main controls where they are expected. The large 9-inch infotainment semi-cantilever screen is very nice, as I like to say, that is at the top but well connected to the lines of the dashboard. The space on board is excellent, both in front and behind. Being comfortable in front is child's play, while behind the 90-degree opening doors and plenty of room for head and legs makes Qashqai comfortable even for large families with several adults. The trunk is also excellent, reaching 504 liters, 74 more than before.
Returning to the build quality, we really liked the new three-spoke steering wheel. Made of premium quality leather, it has a modern design, is the right size and gives the cabin a new touch. The keys are also comfortable to use, but the one for selecting information in the instrument panel is not very precise. The rest of the interior then sports a very nice and excellent quality wood-like insert, which detaches a little from the leather-effect plastic that amazed me.
Soft to the touch, beautiful to look at and with very little "reverberation" effect in the windshield: passed with flying colors. In fact, the whole interior is promoted with honors. The central tunnel is comfortable, full of storage compartments and, in the manual version, the lever is in the right position. Beautiful wood-like inserts, beautiful finishes and assemblies, e all controls have a physical button. While many rivals go, in the midst of much controversy, on touch controls or concentrated in the touch screen, Nissan relaunches with a separate climate control panel, physical buttons for driving modes and for all the most useful functions. They will not have a super modern look, but after a few kilometers together with Qashqai they are appreciated for their practicality of use, unbeatable by any touch system.
Nissan Qashqai 2021 technology: Android Auto and Apple CarPlay Wireless, huge Head-Up display and high-quality instrument cluster
Let's talk for a moment about tech, an aspect in which the previous generation had lagged a bit behind and where the new Nissan Qashqai 2021 does not want to be caught unprepared. As mentioned, in the center of the dashboard we find the 9-inch infotainment system. The operating system that we find inside does not have the most eye-catching graphics or amazing functions, but it is very complete. Excellent connectivity, with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlayThe quality of the panel is also good, without any notes whatsoever. Very good then the navigation, which compared to other proprietary navigators is quick to search, accurate and updated.
On Qashqai then it is a pleasure to use the proprietary navigation system, because it is repeated both in the beautiful 12,3-inch digital instrument cluster but above all in the huge 10,8-inch Head-Up Display. The instrument panel is entirely digital, with excellent quality and perfect visibility, with large but well distributed controls. Navigation is not reproduced entirely in the instrument panel, but with pictograms and precise indications, as in the huge Head-Up display reproduced directly on the windscreen. There is also a lot of information that can be read from the instrument panel, which can be configured using the buttons on the steering wheel spokes. From here it is possible to keep track of consumption, control entertainment, change the layout of the tachometer and speedometer and even, surprisingly, deactivate the traction control. However, there are only two layouts of the instrument panel, very similar to each other: not the best for fans of customization.
It really is generous availability of ADAS across the range. Right from the basic model Visiain fact, LED headlights, rear parking sensors, and above all, are available as standard many active safety devices. Intelligent Cruise Control, Automatic Braking, Active Lane Keeping, Blind Spot Sensor, Traffic Sign Recognition, Fatigue Recognition and Automatic Reverse Braking - all come as standard from the basic set-up.
The mechanics of Nissan Qashqai: we tried the three most interesting versions
Let's move on to mechanics of this new Qashqai. The new Japanese crossover has gone on a diet, and uses a highly regarded platform for driving dynamics. In fact, under the body we find the CMF-C modular platform, created together with Renault. Rigid, communicative and agile, it should allow Qashqai to drive itself very well, better than any other generation: we will find out on the road. To achieve better driveability and a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions, then Nissan has worked on weight. Compared to the previous Qashqai, in fact, this new generation weighs about 60 kg less with the same set-up. Like? Thanks to the use of aluminum for bonnet, doors and fenders, composite material for the tailgate, and other small tricks. An excellent result, obtained after a investment of over 400 million pounds in the British plant in Sunderland.
At the chassis level, therefore, the starting point is excellent. Nissan then specified that to get the best driveability from Qashqai they have further refined the platform, smoothing out even the smallest defects. For the most demanding customers, then, Nissan has come up with a very special offer. For those who choose the Tekna + set-up, the most complete of all, a new rear suspension scheme will also be included in the package. You got it right: instead of rear torsion beam present on the whole range, the Tekna +, with any engine, it will be equipped with a more sophisticated one Multilink a 5 leve. We will see how it will behave later on the road.
| 1.3 TCe Mild Hybrid 140 CV | 1.3 TCe Mild Hybrid 158 CV | Mild Hybrid 1.3 TCe 158 CV X-Tronic | |
| Displacement and engine type | 1.332 cm3, 4-cylinder turbo petrol Mild Hybrid | 4 cilindri turbo benzina Mild Hybrid, 1.332 cm3 | 1.332 cm3, 4-cylinder turbo petrol Mild Hybrid |
| Gears | 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual | Continuously variable automatic CVT |
| Power | 140 CV | 158 CV | 158 CV |
| Pair | 240 Nm/1.650-4.000 input | 270 Nm/1.800-3.750 input | 260 Nm/1.800-4.000 input |
| Acceleration 0-100 km / h | 10,2 s | 9,5 s | 9,2 s |
| Max speed | 196 km/h | 206 km/h | 199 km/h |
By the way, we were able to test the two very interesting engines, currently available in the price list. In fact, at the moment Qashqai only offers the 4-cylinder 1.3 TCe turbocharged petrol engine with 12 V Mild Hybrid module in two power cuts: 140 or 158 HP. This powerplant made together with Renault and Mercedes-Benz can be equipped with a classic 6-speed manual gearbox or with a interesting continuously variable X-Tronic gearbox. We tried tre different versions: the 1.3 bhp 140 with manual gearbox, the 158 bhp with manual gearbox and finally the 158 bhp with automatic gearbox, all with front-wheel drive. Before telling you how they went, we remind you that in the range there is also the automatic gearbox offered with the 1.3 bhp 140 and the 4WD all-wheel drive intelligent, offered only with the most powerful engine and automatic transmission.
Finally, today we will not dwell on the e-POWER version. This engine, which we talked about in detail in our introductory article on Qashqai, is really special. It combines a 1.5 hp 157 three-cylinder petrol engine with a 190 hp electric motor. This electric motor is the only one that moves the wheels, while the petrol engine is exclusively responsible for recharging the small battery. A hybrid system that gives the driving experience of an electric without the anxiety of autonomy. This e-POWER version is really original and interesting, but it is still being perfected. The debut on the market? In 2022. We, of course, will be there to try it as soon as it arrives in Italy.
Nissan Qashqai 2021 on the road, the manuals: a radical change, and just the twisting bridge
But now enough talking, it's time to get in the car and leave. As mentioned, we tested three Qashqai with three different engines, two manual and one automatic. The two manuals, from which we start, sported the 1.3 TCe mild hybrid from 140 and 158 HP. In addition to the 18 HP difference, the most powerful was characterized by the top-of-the-range Tekna + set-up, which among other things adds i 20 ″ wheels and Multilink at the rear, while the 140 hp under construction Tekna you have to be satisfied with the rear axle with torsion beam. So let's see what differences there are between the two engines, and between the two suspension schemes.
Let's start with things in common, which are as you can imagine very many. The driving position is a bit bucking the trend compared to many rivals. The seat is in fact high, but it is not artificially high. Qashqai is not a large SUV, and therefore the driving position allows you to dominate the road, but still makes the driver feel at the center of operations, and not sitting "on" the car. From the very first meters, the Nissan Qashqai 2021 impresses with a refinement of a surprising level. The 1.3 engine is very quiet and springy, the clutch is soft, the steering is light and isolation from the outside world is excellent, both in terms of suspension absorption and noise.
Qashqai is never noisy, jittery or sprawled on the holes. Visibility is good in front and from the side, while the 360 ° cameras of excellent quality help a lot behind. In the city, even with 20-inch wheels from the Tekna + the car's behavior is agile, accommodating, never broken even on the most pockmarked roads. The two engines then have a few Nm of torque difference, 240 against 270 for the more powerful, but on the march this difference is almost never felt. Both engines they push very well, with energy and vivacity. This makes the elastic driving, always lively and very pleasant. In the suburban area and on the motorway then the refinement is great. Qashqai is very quiet, easy to drive and relaxing, with truly remarkable comfort. But where it amazes is driving. The old Qashqai were certainly not sports cars, and they did not give great emotions to driving.
Even this generation is not a sports car, in any situation, but the driving pleasure has really increased to a great deal. The CMF-C frame is very precise and stable, the steering is precise and rather direct, even if it lacks in communicativeness (very normal for a crossover of this type), and the 1.3 engine is really lively and with a really smooth delivery. It has a small "step" around 2500 rpm, when he really starts to push the turbine, but nothing exceptional. Once this threshold is exceeded, the 1.3 Mild Hybrid pushes decisively up to around 6.000 rpm: the red line is at 6.500 rpm, but it is not an engine to be pulled to the limiter. This small 1.3 has a nice character, a lot of torque at the bottom, it is fun and also consumes little when you go for a walk, with averages of about 15/16 km / l, but on consumption we reserve the right to try it for longer.
Then there are three driving modes: Eco, Comfort and Sport. In Eco, the throttle response is a bit milder, while it is more vigorous in Sport. In any case, the character of the engine does not change too much in the different modes. It's always enjoyable, and gives a bright and surprisingly fun ride to the Japanese SUV, with both power cuts. Thanks to the low torque of both engines, in the real world the difference between 140 and 158hp is really minimal. Indeed, the 140 hp version proved to be equally perky and pleasant to drive through the curves, even with the torsion beam at the rear. In this regard, we noticed how the difference between a system on paper as worse as the twisting bridge versus a more noble scheme like the Multilink, ideally very large, in the real world was very minimal.
Indeed, thanks to the lesser ability to copy the roughness of the asphalt, the Tekna version without Multilink proved, unsurprisingly, less comfortable and drier on the holes, but slightly more agile and “casual” between curves. The Tekna + with Multilink has excellent stability and a lot of comfort even for rear passengers, but this torsion beam has been made with great care, precise, stable and with a hint of oversteer in release that will please the most demanding palates. We close with the gearbox, a classic 6-speed manual with beautiful grafts. Too bad for the slightly long ratios, to the advantage of consumption, and a clutch with a slightly abrupt detachment. But on the latter, it is a moment to step foot.
Nissan Qashqai 2021 on the road, the X-Tronic: an automatic CVT, but it would not seem like it
We close our journey on Nissan Qashqai 2021 with the most interesting version of the three, the 1.3 HP 158 TCe Mild Hybrid with X-Tronic automatic transmission. It will be due to prejudices, it will be due to other truly forgettable changes of this kind, but I've never had a great feeling with continuously variable CVT gearboxes. They are very efficient and relaxing, but their tendency to turn up the revs like on a moped has never completely satisfied me.
Nissan is aware of this, and in fact it has spent a lot of resources to improve its X-Tronic gearbox, creating a new generation that they strongly believe in. Why is she so confident? Because according to the Japanese technicians, this new X-Tronic is capable of combining the driving pleasure of a classic automatic gearbox, with gear changes, a smooth and natural revs rise and 6 fixed gears, with the great efficiency of the CVT gearbox. And to give us the best experience, Nissan has made the 158 HP version available to us. With this more powerful engine configuration and automatic transmission, Qashqai gives its best.
The Japanese crossover is in fact very pleasant to drive through the curves and the manual gearbox makes it very engaging, but it is not a sporty compact. Its habitat is relaxed family travel, perfect for enjoying its space, soundproofing and interior quality capabilities. And with this in mind, the new X-Tronic is a truly successful gearbox. When you go for a walk, it is very fluid and linear, always keeping the engine at low revs to maximize fuel economy and noise, a true CVT capability.
But where it is surprising is when you ask for something more from the engine. Although it put him to the test, he never showed off that annoying scooter effect when accelerating. Power delivery has always been smooth and linear, and thanks to the ability of a continuously variable gearbox to "adjust" the rpm to maximize thrust, with the X-Tronic there is hardly ever the “step” of the response delay below 2500 rpm. And if you really want to pull her neck, you can choose 6 ratios with the paddles on the steering wheel. Often forgettable, this function is very well calibrated, making it very credible, with only a slightly marked drag between one report and another. But let's really talk about trifles.
The only time the X-Tronic has shown its character is when, after a sprint in Eco or Normal mode, you leave the gas. There the engine brake is little, with the revs dropping to 2.000, giving an unpleasant feeling of inertia when pushing. But this allows you to lower fuel consumption and take advantage of sailing, and especially in Sport, the gearbox maintains a "dummy" high gear, to maximize engine braking. Perfect. Nissan has done a great job on this X-Tronic, which fits perfectly with the character of this Qashqai, and is suitable for anyone, even those who have never appreciated a CVT gearbox.. Finally, the gear shift it is very particular, squat and low and with a movement parallel to the console. It can be confusing at first, but it's really easy and beautiful to use. Another detail that demonstrates the Nissan took care of this project.
The conclusions on Nissan Qashqai 2021: net of the price, it is the most interesting from the first series
With this declaration of esteem for the X-Tronic gearbox, our first test of the Nissan Qashqai 2021 comes to an end. After a first generation that invented the crossover genre, and a second generation that was starting to make its years felt, this third series changes everything. Much more modern and original on the outside, it is beautifully done inside, it is spacious and drives really well, with a driveability that is close to the best in its category. The engine proposed so far, the 1.3 TCe Mild Hybrid, it is lively and park, and with both the manual gearbox and the amazing automatic it is silent, neat, pleasant, even fun.
How Much Does All This Crossover Well Cost? The Qashqai range is very complex and extensive. The Visia attack version with the 1.3 bhp 140 starts at just 25.500 euros, with many ADAS and a lot of substance, but little appearance. To have a more captivating aesthetic and the on-board technology that we have tried, you have to go up with the price, even a lot. The 140 HP Tekna starts from 35.800 euros, with the 158 HP top of the range Tekna + and automatic gearbox set at over 40.000 euros. Qashqai proposes 6 set-ups, from the simple Visia to the opulent Tekna +. To understand which set-up is right for you, I recommend you configure your Qashqai on the official Nissan website, which you can find by clicking on this link.
Certainly not a few, indeed. But the contents are really all there, for a Qashqai that wanted to go back to looking at everyone from above, even the German crossovers all cared for and luxurious. Did she succeed? In our opinion, this is the best Qashqai from the first generation. Will it be enough to return to number one in Europe? It won't be easy, but he has what it takes to do it. Only the future can answer us. And you? What do you think? Do you like this new Nissan Qashqai? Let us know below in the comments!
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