First drive: 2022 Nissan Qashqai

UPDATE, January 2023: New Qashqai driven in Australia!

After pricing was announced early in 2022, the new-gen 2023 Nissan Qashqai is finally in Australia – and we've driven it! Get our full story at the link below.

July 2022: Australian pricing announced

Australian pricing for the new Qashqai has now been revealed. Get all the details at the link below.

2022 Qashqai review

The Nissan Qashqai was reborn in February with the reveal of an all-new, third-generation that will launch Down Under next year – but exactly when remains a mystery for now.

Apart from a design overhaul that applies Nissan’s latest SUV design language without corrupting the distinctive Qashqai silhouette, headline changes to what has long been Nissan’s third-best seller in Australia – after the X-Trail and Navara – are the first electrified powertrains in this nameplate’s lineage.

Inside the new Qashqai’s sleeker, posher cabin are more big screens than a branch of JB Hi-Fi that present new connected features and, under the skin, lurks a lighter, stiffer bodyshell claimed to yield big dynamic improvements.

But is it worth the wait? Phil McNamara takes the Qashqai out on British roads for this first-drive review – and you can read more about the third-generation model here.

Remind me, what's a Qashqai again?

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This is the car that invented the small ‘crossover’, a motoring mash-up the length of a Ford Focus hatchback but with an SUV’s taller roof, raised seating position and optional all-wheel drive.

When the first Qashqai launched (badged Dualis in Australia) it was a delicious novelty; 15 years later, some 3.5 million have been exported from the Sunderland factory in northern England to 100+ markets, making it a bona fide smash hit.

Believe me; here in the UK, these things are everywhere!

This is the car that invented the mid-size ‘crossover'

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As a result, Nissan has been evolutionary in its approach. The exterior design update is beautifully judged: all slimline lamps, chiselled surfaces and big-wheeled beefiness. It’s a little longer to boost cockpit and luggage space, but it’s still sufficiently compact to thread confidently through London’s busy streets.

The interior isn’t such a knockout. A carbuncular tablet protrudes from the dashtop, devoid of curve, with a housing that is noticeably bigger than the screen, unremarkable graphics and a clashy nav menu. Much better are the chunky buttons that provide clear operating shortcuts and air-con adjustments, in unison with nice-to-touch temperature dials.

On high-grade Tekna models, the centre cubby and dashboard are immaculately trimmed in PVC (which looks and feels more luxurious than it sounds), and there’s a classy textured plinth for the gear selector. Overall it’s a victory for no-nonsense functionality over flair.

2022 Nissan Qashqai: Engine and Gearbox combinations

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While we wait for an Australian on-sale date, UK deliveries from the Sunderland plant commenced in mid-June. Initially, the only engine is a 1.3-litre four-cylinder with mild hybrid assistance, where a belt-starter generator operates a responsive stop/start system, adds torque into the driveline and offers a fuel-saving coasting function on the automated continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Or xTronic as Nissan engineers steadfastly call it, seeking to disassociate their shifter from the CVT’s historic reputation for ‘rubber band’ response and flailing revs out of sync with the acceleration level.

Peak power is 116kW, with 270Nm of peak torque from 1800rpm. We tested both the six-speed manual – expected to account for 55 per cent of UK registrations but unlikely to reach Australia – and the CVT. Sorry, xTronic.

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They’re right to be so protective: The manual is a bit of a roundhead in a world of cavalier Japanese 'boxes from Mazda and Honda. Nissan’s is a touch vague and with a fractionally long action changing up from second to third. It’s coupled with an arthritic-feeling clutch, requires lots of gearchanges to keep in the power band and has an occasional hesitancy to deliver momentum from low revs in second and third.

In contrast, the xTronic – a £1900 ($A3505) premium – is great. It responds snappily to kickdown, delivers a nice surge of power with a muscular bellow of revs, and features reassuringly calibrated steps. You can even take charge of snappy changes yourself with paddleshifters on the wheel.

How does the 2022 Nissan Qashqai drive?

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No Qashqai ever handled like this before. You instantly notice there’s nothing lightweight nor hesitant about the steering, helping it dart through gaps in the traffic. The electric power assistance motor is mounted adjacent to the rack and the ratio is quicker, making the steering feel more responsive off the dead ahead.

The ride is poised but compliant: you feel urban potholes and motorway expansion joints, but their clatter and energy are smoothly suppressed. Body movements are well controlled, with things rapidly settling down after shocks and speed bumps.

There is a choice of rear suspension: 19-inch wheels denote a torsion beam, the 20-inchers roll on a multi-link suspension that typically offers sportier handling and a better ride. We spent the most time sampling the torsion beam, spearing across-country from Nissan’s Cranfield Technical Centre 80km north of London before settling in for a long motorway haul.

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The third-gen Qashqai feels overwhelmingly planted and poised, its strong lateral grip carving through corners, governed by steering that’s linear and nicely weighted. This crossover has a newly found spring in its step, aided by a weight loss programme that’s shed 60kg from the bodyshell. The tailgate is now composite for the first time, and some of the body panels are aluminium.

It’s not entirely good news though. Coarse tarmac generates an undertone of tyre noise, particularly at motorway speeds, and persistent rustles of wind can affect the windscreen and the sides. Comparison tests will determine whether this is excessive for the class.

No Qashqai ever handled like this before. You instantly notice there’s nothing lightweight nor hesitant about the steering, helping it dart through gaps in the traffic

What's life like on board?

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Rear occupants will have no reason to complain, with a six-footer having almost 8cm of space for knee and headroom behind an equally sized driver. The rear doors also open to a whopping 85˚ angle, making it easier to load the kids (though increasing the chance of them dinging other cars as they throw them open).

And the engineers have lavished attention on the boot, having seemingly sought feedback from most of the 3.5m Qashqai customers.

The tiered luggage boards remain, allowing owners to increase the depth of the boot, or slot in one as a bulkhead to stop groceries flying around. These boards are reversible and wipe-clean on one side, to make tidying up after that muddy bushwalk much easier. The parcel shelf will stow beneath them, and we watched a quick demo of the boot's versatility, showing the ease of loading four golf bags into its 504-litre space.

2022 Nissan Qashqai spec and price

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Australian pricing and line-up details are months in the future, but the British Qashqai range kicks off with the £23,535 ($A43.411) Visia trim, which features all the key safety features you’d need in a family crossover; adaptive cruise and rear cross-traffic alert are present, as are blind-spot intervention, traffic sign recognition and parking sensors.

The Acenta Premium level starts at £26,135 ($A48,214) and adds a keyless start, folding door mirrors, USB-C sockets, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also throws in folding door mirrors and an improved 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment package, with six speakers.

The N-Connecta trim begins from £28,395 ($A52,383) and stretches the infotainment screen to a 12.3-inch TFT panel along with 9.0-inch dials, and it also gets wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The Qashqai Tekna trim rises to £30,845 ($A56,899) and adds features such as a powered tailgate, the Qashqai's first head-up display providing a large and customisable readout, wireless charger and ProPilot semi-autonomous driving system – as well as heated seats and a heated steering wheel for extra comfort.

Finally, Tekna+ features 20-inch alloys as standard, user memory and massage seats, as well as a ten-speaker BOSE-branded sound system. But it does cost £34,175 ($63,027) – just over £8k ($A14.75) more than the entry-level Qashqai.

Verdict

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Despite the onslaught of more than 20 segment rivals during its model lifecycle, in Britain, the second-generation Qashqai was the class best-seller. This slicker, thoughtfully engineered, handsome and more rewarding to drive version has the capabilities to stay there, which bodes well for Nissan's fortunes in Australia as well.

2022 Nissan Qashqai specifications

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Engine 1332cc four-cylinder with mild hybrid assistance, 116kW, 270Nm @ 1800rpm
Transmission Six-speed manual or CVT, front-wheel-drive
Performance 9.5sec 0-100km/h, 206km/h 6.4L/100km, 145g/km CO2
Weight/material 1435kg/steel
L/W/H 4394/1806/1590mm