- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru He Fr Ar
Nissan Qashqai. Japanese born in Europe
The Nissan Qashqai is a compact SUV, which has been produced by Nissan Motor Company (Japan) since 2006. In 2021, both the second generation vehicle after the restyling of 2017 and the 2021 third generation model are sold in the Israeli market.
The first generation
It was produced from 2006 to 2013. The first Qashqai is based on the 2004 concept, which had a similar name, but was very different from the production model both in terms of exterior and interior. The design was created by Nissan Design Europe, while the technical units were developed by Nissan Technical Center Europe. Both are located in the UK.
It had a different name in different markets: Dualis - in Australia and Japan, and Rogue Sport - in the USA. The name was changed because Nissan had concerns about the possibility of reading ‘Qashqai’ as ‘cash cow’. At first, the manufacturer launched a 5-seater model. And in 2008, a 7-seater version came out with a 135 mm longer wheelbase and an overall length increased by 211 mm.
2009 restyling
After the restyling in 2009, the vehicle acquired a different form of head optics and a modified front bumper. The location of the sectors of the stoplights covered with transparent elements was changed. Interior soundproofing and the suspension were improved. Electronic stability control became standard and two new body colors were added. In 2009/2010, the company launched an environmentally friendly version, called Pure Drive. Plus, the Qashqai n-tec was presented, which was distinguished by the presence of the Nissan Connect and Bluetooth.
The second generation
It has been produced since 2013, and was restyled in 2017. And even despite the release of the third generation, the second one is still on the market (as of 2021). In 2014, the vehicle was awarded five stars for its safety in the Euro NCAP tests. Moreover, the SUV won the Car of the Year 2014 title by What Car (UK).
The second Qashqai is built on the Nissan CMF (Common Module Family) platform, shared with many models by the Renault-Nissan alliance. The vehicle has a MacPherson strut independent suspension at the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear. As for body size, it is 4,394 mm long, 1,806 mm wide and 1,590 mm high. The wheelbase is 2,646 mm, while the minimum turning radius is 5.6 m. The standard wheel size is 215/65 R16, more expensive versions offer R17, R18 and even R19 rims. The ground clearance reaches 200 mm. The maximum load capacity is 425-482 kg, depending on the modification. The volume of the trunk is 430 liters or 1,585 liters with the second row seats folded down. The car came with 1.2, 1.5, 1.6 and 2.0-liter engines.
The basic equipment of the 2013/2014 Nissan Qashqai included ABS, ESP and EBD, six airbags. More expensive trim levels offered an all-round visibility system, forward collision warning system, blind spot monitoring system, lane departure warning system and a parking assistant, which was able to independently carry out parallel parking. The options included the ProPilot semi-autonomous driving system, which independently controlled the steering wheel, gas and brake.
2017 restyling
In 2017, the SUV was designed in compliance with the new Nissan V-motion corporate style. The restyled Nissan Qashqai has a new, larger, radiator grille. Overall, the vehicle looks more expressive thanks to the embossed bumper with a changed position of the fog lamp blocks and new adaptive headlights. The design of the rear of the body has changed. There are new design options for alloy wheels and new colors (bright blue and deep bronze).
The 2017/2018 Nissan Qashqai features a new steering wheel with a rim cut from below and a changed button architecture, improved finishing materials, an upgraded multimedia system with a new interface and enhanced noise isolation. The seat design has been changed, and the backseat has become more comfortable. The composition of the equipment has been improved, new safety options have appeared, including the ProPilot semi-autonomous driving system.
The restyled car has acquired a 2-liter petrol naturally-aspirated engine with 144 hp, as well as a 1.2-liter turbocharged engine with 115 hp. They worked in tandem with a 6-speed manual transmission or with a CVT. In addition, the SUV has a retuned suspension and electric power steering.
The third generation
It was unveiled on February 18, 2021. At the heart of the third Nissan Qashqai is the same CMF-C platform, which has been upgraded. But the exterior of the vehicle is completely new: strict and slightly aggressive. The SUV has slightly grown in size, becoming 35 mm longer (4,425 mm), 32 mm wider (1,838 mm) and 10 mm higher (1,635 mm). Its wheelbase has grown by 20 mm (2,666 mm). The trunk has grown to 504 liters, and the distance in front of the rear seats has grown due to the longer wheelbase.
The new 2021 Nissan Qashqai comes in several modifications.
- Hybrid version with a 1.3 DiG-T petrol turbo engine and an electric superstructure that includes a 12-volt starter-generator and a compact lithium-ion battery. The electric motor can assist the petrol engine at speeds up to 110 km/h, giving out an additional 6 Nm for 20 seconds.
- Hybrid e-Power system, in which the front wheels are rotated only by an electric motor, generating 190 hp and 330 Nm. The combustion engine operates in generator mode to recharge the traction battery. The model is equipped with a 1.5 VC-Turbo petrol four-cylinder engine with variable compression ratio of 157 hp. There is also an e-Pedal mode for driving with only the accelerator pedal with maximum recuperation.
- Petrol engine equipped with an engine in two boosted options: the initial version produces 140 hp and 240 Nm, and its forced modification can generate 158 hp and 260 Nm. Both engines are available with a 6-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive, although the older version can be ordered with a CVT (then the torque will be increased to 270 Nm) and all-wheel drive.
The 2021/2022 Nissan Qashqai has acquired a completely new interior design. Thus, the central ventilation deflectors have changed places with the screen of the modernized Nissan Connect media system (its diagonal has grown from seven to nine inches), and the climate control unit has become more compact. The steering wheel is also new, with more comfortable buttons on the spokes. The standard transmission lever was replaced by a joystick and next to it sits a platform for wireless charging. Analog devices have been replaced by virtual ones. There is a 12.3-inch screen in front of the driver, as well as a head-up display (10.8 inches), which displays tips from the navigator and electronic assistants.
