2023 Nissan Qashqai review: Full range detailed

The third-generation Nissan Qashqai small SUV is the latest model of the Japanese carmaker’s refreshed SUV line-up to arrive in Australia, following in the footsteps of the Pathfinder and X-Trail.

Like the other two, it arrived with plenty of new tech, a new powertrain, a roomier cabin and a hefty price increase to pay for it all.

Based on the Nissan/Renault CMF-C platform, the Qashqai now features multi-link rear suspension to refine its ride.

The new Qashqai line-up comes in four grades, with hybrid E-Power variants expected to follow later this year.

55

JUMP AHEAD

• Nissan Qashqai Pricing
• What body styles are available with the Qashqai?
• What features are in every Qashqai?
• What key features do I get if I spend more?
• How safe is the Nissan Qashqai?
• How comfortable and practical is the Nissan Qashqai?
• How much boot space does the Nissan Qashqai offer?
• I like driving, will I enjoy the Nissan Qashqai?
• Which Qashqai engine uses the least fuel?
• What is the Qashqai's towing capacity?
• How long is the warranty and what are the Nissan Qashqai's servicing costs?
• Which version of the Nissan Qashqai does Wheels recommend?
• What are the rivals to the Nissan Qashqai?

Nissan Qashqai Pricing

Loads of new features naturally bring higher pricing compared to the previous model, with the entry-level Qashqai ST now costing $3300 more, while the top-spec Ti has jumped by $8300.

🔼 Back to top

What body styles are available with the Qashqai?

Five-door wagon only.

All Qashqais drive the front wheels only, and the model is classed as a small SUV, lower priced.

55

🔼 Back to top

What features are in every Qashqai?

The entry-level-Qashqai ST comes with cloth seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, a six-speaker sound system and an 8.0-inch touchscreen media unit.

🔼Back to top

What key features do I get if I spend more?

Stepping up to the Qashqai ST+ adds...

55

Qashqai ST+

Spending more on the Qashqai ST-L brings...

55

Qashqai ST-L

Opt for the range-topping Qashqai Ti and you gain...

55

Qashqai Ti

🔼 Back to top

How safe is the Nissan Qashqai?

The 2023 Qashqai nets a five-star ANCAP rating, all trims coming with seven airbags and all the major active safety features.

55

🔼 Back to top

How comfortable and practical is the Nissan Qashqai?

The interior of the new Qashqai feels premium compared to the previous generation and is considerably more stylish.

It is surprisingly roomy for a small SUV but with average levels of storage space including a handy bin in the centre console, two cup holders for the front and two for the back, and enough room in each door for a bottle too, if not much else.

The seats are suitably comfortable and provide a good driving position. However, a lack of under-thigh support can be felt on longer journeys.

Outward visibility has been improved thanks to a thinner but stronger A-pillar design, and the side mirrors are mounted on the doors so they don't block your view past the A-pillar.

55

The traditional gear selector has been replaced with a sliding shifter, which looks sleek and frees up space on the centre console.

A high-mounted infotainment screen also helps the dashboard look. The 12.3-inch touchscreen, in all but the entry-level Qashqai, looks impressive. However, the software it runs looks a little dated.

Touchpoints generally feel high quality, particularly in upper-spec variants with the leather-trimmed steering wheel; the urethane steering wheel in ST and ST+ grades not so much.

55

Switchgear is unintimidating and Nissan has thankfully retained a decent array of buttons rather than burying many functions in the infotainment screen.

The brushed metal effect on the dashboard brightwork, the contoured and stitched leather-look dash roll top, the damped feel to the switchgear and the slick short-travel gear selector all combine to make the Qashqai’s interior feel a step above the norm.

Rear space and comfort

The Qashqai's rear seats are generously sized, with more than acceptable headroom and reasonable knee room.

Nissan claims an additional 28mm of knee room over the previous model (608mm in total), while headroom has increased by 15mm.

Rear occupants can also make use of two map pockets, and charge devices via either USB-A or USB-C ports.

55

One major plus is the width of the rear door openings for getting little ones in and out.

And for young families, installing a child seat is relatively simple, with easily-found access points for the ISOFIX anchors (although they are covered by those annoying little clips that will get lost the second you take them off) and even the presence of a hard plastic parcel shelf doesn’t really impede the hooking up of the top tether anchor.

One major plus is the width of the rear door openings for getting little ones in and out. The doors open to 85 degrees and hold themselves there – which is a godsend for parents and carers.

🔼 Back to top

55

How much boot space does the Nissan Qashqai offer?

The Qashqai's 429-litre boot space is ample for an SUV of its size and easily competes with its nearest rival, the Toyota Corolla Cross, falling short by a mere seven litres.

With the second-row seats folded, the cargo-carrying capacity rises to 1524L and it can be split 60:40, with the larger section on the front passenger’s side.

That said, the boot area isn't cavernous, and it has no side cubbies or spaces to put little items. But it is more than capable of accommodating a week’s worth of groceries, a pram plus associated baby/child gear, or all the bits and pieces needed for a day out.

55

The up-spec Qashqai Ti features a removable panel that creates separate compartments. It can be handy, but it and the boot-mounted Bose subwoofer reduce boot space to 418 litres.

Beneath the boot floor is a space-saver spare measuring 155/90 R17.

🔼 Back to top

55

I like driving, will I enjoy the Nissan Qashqai?

The Qashqai allows for considerably more spirited driving than many of its small SUV rivals, thanks to sharp dynamics.

Accurate steering is backed up by minimal body roll thanks to the new Qashqai's chassis bringing 50 per cent more torsional rigidity and sophisticated multi-link rear suspension.

While there is no all-wheel-drive option, whether driving along twisty roads or through roundabouts, the Qashqai has a reassuringly planted feel.

However, the Qashqai's sharp handling does come at a cost to ride comfort in the form of a firmish ride, which means you feel every bump and crevice, particularly on the upper-spec variant's 235/50 R19 rubber.

55

This could prove a little grating if your daily drive doesn't include a bunch of hairpins.

It's a shame because the 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine is a welcome step up over the previous model's bland 2.0-litre naturally aspirated unit.

The turbo helps deliver noticeably stronger mid-range performance while feeling quite refined.

Although the Qashqai has an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT) it’s not constantly revving when making any sort of progress thanks to the torque peak coming in from 1600-3750rpm, and power peaking at a modest 5500rpm.

🔼 Back to top

55

Which Qashqai engine uses the least fuel?

So far, Qashais sold in Australia are only available with a four-cylinder, 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine coupled with a CVT auto and front-wheel drive.

An 'E-Power' Hybrid powertrain, similar to that found in the bigger X-Trail is due to arrive later in 2023.

If the X-Trail is any guide, E-Power Qashqais won't necessarily be a lot more frugal than the 110kW/250Nm turbo, which has a respectable official combined fuel consumption figure of 6.1L/100km.

🔼 Back to top

55

What is the Qashqai's towing capacity?

The Qashqai can tow a braked load up to 1500kg or 750kg unbraked.

Maximum trailer tow ball weight is 100kg.

🔼 Back to top

How long is the warranty and what are the Nissan Qashqai's servicing costs?

As with the rest of Nissan's Australian range, the Qashqai is covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, including five years of 24-hour roadside assistance.

The Qashqai's service intervals are 12 months or 15,000km and a capped-price service plan is available:

🔼 Back to top

Which version of the Nissan Qashqai does Wheels recommend?

When there is only one powertrain and each variant comes with all the important stuff, choosing a pick of the bunch usually comes down to price or perceived value.

This is as good a time as any to point out that with desirable mid-spec options straddling the $40,000 mark, the Nissan Qashqai is not exactly a cheap small SUV.

But it is very well equipped and safe, and its roomy cabin means smaller families can make do with this instead of going for a medium SUV.

The ST+ is the sweet spot of the range in terms of equipment levels and price, though additional technology and creature comforts available in the ST-L will no doubt tempt quite a few Qashqai buyers to fork out the additional $4300.

🔼 Back to top

55

What are the rivals to the Nissan Qashqai?

Other small SUVs in this segment are:

• Mitsubishi ASX
• Volkswagen T-Cross
• Toyota Yaris Cross
• Hyundai Kona
• Kia Seltos

🔼 Back to top