Is the Nissan Qashqai good for new drivers? Here’s our verdict!
With a fresh license in hand, many drivers wonder what their first car should be. And, because everybody seems to want a crossover these days, it’s only logical that some of these new drivers may consider the Nissan Qashqai. How well would this popular Nissan suit such a newly-licensed driver?
There are a number of elements which influence the suitability of a car for a new driver’s needs. First of all, it must be easy to operate: the inexperienced driver should not have to struggle to control the car’s motions and various driving functions. This seems like a no-brainer, but some modern cars are surprisingly difficult to operate properly.
Good sightlines and a clear idea of the car’s physical dimensions are also of paramount importance, with an elevated driver’s seating position instantly scoring points in both these respects – instantly scoring points for a high-riding car like the Qashqai. It also has to be safe, with strong brakes and reasonable body protection against parking miscalculations – again, perfectly embodied by the Nissan Qashqai.
Size and space
Measuring less than 4.4-metres from bumper to bumper, the Nissan Qashqai is currently Nissan’s smallest crossover, so it’s a nicely manageable size for almost anybody. There’s also plenty of cabin space for four average-sized adults inside, and the luggage compartment offers 430-litres of cargo volume, so long road trips certainly won’t pose any issues for most usage scenarios.
Related: Shop for new or used Nissan Qashqai cars for sale here.
Safety
The current (second-) generation Qashqai scored a full 5 stars in Euro NCAP crash testing in 2014, and are equipped with rear ISOFIX child seat anchors and 6 airbags, so its basic occupant protection is certainly up to scratch. All Qashqais also feature ABS and stability control, so it will also help its driver to avoid collisions in the first place, but LED headlamps doesn't feature anywhere in the range, likely due to this generation of Qashqai being rather elderly by now (there's a new one on the way to South Africa in the near future).
There are some downsides, however. Parking sensors and a rear-view camera are absent in the base-spec Visia trim, with the latter only appearing on from Acenta trim upwards. That’s probably due to the entry-level variant’s lack of a colour touchscreen infotainment system, so there isn’t anywhere to project a rear-view camera’s image...
Top-level Tekna trim upgrades this to a surround-view camera system, though, so it gets better-equipped the more you’re prepared to pay. Acenta specification and upwards also adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning, so all Qashqais except the base variant are pretty useful in terms of driver aids.
Ergonomics and tech
Nissan’s cars are always very easy to get along with, partly due to their (generally) utterly conventional cabin layouts. All the switches fall easily to hand and are fairly clearly marked, so there isn’t much chance of operating malfunctions on the move. The only downside is the restricted rear-quarter sightlines, due to the rising side window line and pinched rear windscreen – hence the necessity of a rear-view camera.
The exception here is the touchscreen system fitted to higher-trim Qashqais, because the user interface isn’t really suitable for operation while driving. (This rule applies to most touchscreen systems, however, and the Nissan system is easier to operate than those in many competitors).
Fuel Economy
Two engines are employed in the local Qashqai range, with a choice between petrol- and diesel power. Selecting the 1.2-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine broadens the choice to include either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a CVT, but the manual transmission definitely is the more agreeable one of the two. Diesel power can only be had with a 6-speed manual, and is the nicest powertrain on offer in the entire range.
Claimed economy figures are encouraging, with the 1.2T registering an official average of 6.2 ℓ/100 km, and the diesel slashing that to a claimed 4.2 ℓ/100 km. It’s unlikely that the 1.2T will return its claimed consumption in regular mixed-cycle use, but low-7 ℓ/100 km is possible for conservative drivers. The diesel will however easily drop below 5 ℓ/100 km in the real world, as proven by various Renaults and Nissans that also use this powertrain.
Verdict
Provided the correct Nissan Qashqai derivative (in other words, not the base spec) is considered, a new driver will experience no difficulty in adapting to this crossover. It has the easy-driving character and all the driver aids anyone could possibly want, some body cladding to protect against the occasional parking lot mishap, and strong safety credentials to protect its occupants. It won’t even be very expensive to run, especially with the torquey diesel engine under the bonnet, and a 6-year/150 000 km warranty and 3 year/90 000 km service plan should ensure peace of mind.
What else is available at this price point?
Various new crossovers are clustered between R 400 000 and R 500 000 (the Qashqai’s price range), and most of them offer similar attributes. In the used market, buyers could also consider a late-model used Mercedes-Benz GLA or A-Class, or a quite nicely-trimmed Audi A3 or Q2. The competition is strong in these segments, so it’s reassuring to know that the Qashqai is still competitive against such newer alternatives.
