Quiet and creamy smooth Qashqai

The most notable visual change to the Qashqai is at the front, which has been jazzed up for a much sportier look.

Since its launch four years ago more than 5500 of these compact hatch cross-overs have been sold in South Africa - and already more than 1000 of the latest models, which have only just appeared on showroom floors, have gone to new owners.

Nissan has not tinkered too much with the successful Qashqai formula, confining the tweaks to improved engine efficiency, better cabin insulation, a dab or two of make-up and some minor cosmetic surgery.

Because of the demand for an automatic transmission a CVT is now offered as an optional on the 2.0-litre petrol model and to accommodate bigger families and sporty outdoor types a seven-seater Qashqai+2 model has also been added to the range.

Spiced up for a sportier look

The most notable visual change to the Qashqai is at the front where the bonnet, front bumper, wings, grille and headlamps have all been spiced up to create a much sportier look.

All 2.0-litre models now ride on eye-catching ‘diamond-cut' 18-inch alloys which, with new roof rails and neatly trimmed spoiler, give them a classy premium touch.

Cruise control should help keep those nasty letters from the Uniformed Mafia to contribute to their Christmas party, to a minimum.

The Qashqai certainly now looks more like an SUV and its bigger brother, the X-Trail, and less like the VW Golf, which Nissan regards as its main competitor.

And that is one of the main reasons for this model's success - it looks like an SUV and has much of the practicality of an SUV (including a pleasant high-riding drive style), yet it offers the comfort, ride and class one would expect from a classy hatch.

Indoors, the instrument panel has been smartened up with bigger, clearer white, black and white dials surrounded by chrome bezels and a redesigned LCD onboard computer screen which now shows average fuel consumption, mileage, time as well as cruise control and speed limiter settings.

You can't even hear the clock (OK, so it's digital, but anyway…)

The new-look living quarters have classier trim and low-level mood lighting as well as extra storage mousey holes and increased head and leg space.

But the most noticeable of all the improvements and changes is the superb manner in which occupants are now insulated from road, wind and engine noises.

Nissan created the quieter cabin with multi-layer insulation, improved window sealing and a newly-designed ‘acoustic' windscreen.

At the Media introduction I drove the new 2.0-litre petrol model with the CVT transmission and was amazed by how quiet and smooth the ride was.

Nissan has not been shy with the goodies and handling is such that Mom can cart the kids about with ease, even in heavy traffic.

The monotonous droning of most CVT's can be awfully irritating but in this baby Nissan it's hardly audible or intrusive, particularly during acceleration at higher speeds.

The ride quality is on par with much more expensive upmarket saloons and reminded me of a double-cream Irish whisky it was so smooth.

Not so much of a drag anymore

Nissan also did some redesign work on the underfloor bits to reduce drag and improve fuel economy across the range which now offers two 1.6 models, two 2.0-litre petrol models (including a CVT version), two 2.0-litre diesels ( a 4x2 and a 4x4), plus two petrol Qashqai+2 seven-seaters - 1.6-litre and a 2.0-litre.

All three engines have been updated, with the two petrol engines benefitting from reduced internal friction and improved thermal and volumetric efficiency, resulting in more torque in a wide band of engine revs.

The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine benefits from more pressure through its direct-injection fuel system and piezo-electric injectors so that its power flow is much smoother than before.

The 2.0-litre models’ eye-catching ‘diamond-cut’ 18-inch alloys help give them a classy premium touch.

Suspension and electric power-steering settings have also been revised to deliver a creamier ride without compromising the car's dynamic ability. This was particularly noticeable on rougher patches of road (of which the Eastern Cape has more than its fair share!)

The launch drive included pot-holed back roads as well as some fast, winding sections in the vicinity of the Addo National Park and the Qashqai performed way above expectations.

Sure, like any car would, it felt the thumps and bumps, but it never felt skittish or unsettled.

Not only is it pleasantly quick off the mark, but it's an absolute doddle to drive in congested traffic. It is easy to understand why so many yummy-mummies love them and even kids think they are cool.

Safe, my mate - even from the Camera Mafia

Besides being quiet, comfortable and practical the Qashqai comes with an impressive 5-star EuroNCAP safety rating, and protective features such as airbags, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), EBD (Emergency Brakeforce Distribution), ESP (Electronic Stability Program) in the 2.0-litre models, plus the natural traction advantages of the All Mode 4X4 on the range-topping model.

The instrument panel is now much smarter with bigger, clearer white, black and white dials plus a readout that tells you what to know in these days of expensive fuel.

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And Nissan isn't shy with the fancies either with kit such as a 6-speaker CD/radio with AUX connector, integrated Bluetooth system linked-in to the multifunction steering wheel and (on the Qashqai+2) rear privacy glass which helps the upgraded air-conditioner unit to keep the interior cool.

What's more, the Uniformed Camera Mafia won't have their coffee and sandwich breaks disrupted so often now that Qashqai owners have the use of cruise control to keep progress down to legal limits.

Nissan is confident that the tweaks and improvements across the range, the CVT option and the extra two kiddy-seat models are going to attract buyers who would not previously have considered the Qashqai.

Interestingly enough, of the current Qashqai owners, 78% owned other brands before being attracted to the Nissan cross-over.

Challenging convention?

Nancy Reddy, Nissan SA product manager, says the Qashqai+2 will appeal not only to families but also to more adventurous, active buyers who have leisure equipment to move about.

‘We're confident the Qashqai+2 is going to challenge the conventions of the traditional multi-purpose vehicle in the same way Qashqai did the hatchback,' she said.

The new models and prices are:
1.6l Visia R227 500
1.6l Acenta R248 500
2.0l Acenta R282 500
2.0l Acenta CVT R295 000
2.0l Acenta dCi4X2 R308 000
2.0l Acenta dCi 4X4 R333 000

QASHQAI+2: Available from late May 2010

1.6l Visia R249 500
2.0l Acenta R303 500

Prices include a three-year/90 000km service plan and a three-year/100 000km warranty.

Specifications