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Nissan Qashqai+2 (2008 - )

What's Good

Announced 7th April 2008, 7 seater version of the car that conquered urban speed humps and pot-holes. Called Qashqai+2, the newest Nissan builds on the success of the original Qashqai by adding space and versatility to carry seven.

Official launch at London Motor Show 22nd July 2007. Designed and engineered in Europe. Built at Nissan’s plant in Sunderland. UK and European sales start from October 2008. Wheelbase extended by 135 mm. Overall length rises by 211 mm. Overall height increases by 38 mm.

Fold-flat third row of seats. Underfloor storage in larger load area. Unique styling features and extra standard equipment.

Range matches Qashqai line-up. Two petrol and two diesel models. Two- and four-wheel drive. Three trim and equipment levels with 15", 16" and 17" wheels.

Entry-level petrol is a lightweight all-aluminium unit displacing 1598 cc, developing 115 PS (84 kW) and 160 Nm of torque. It has four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, multi-point port injection and vane-type continuous intake cam phasing.

Top petrol engine is another all-aluminium 16-valve design, this one displacing 1997 cc and developing 140 PS (103 kW) and 200 Nm of torque. Some 90 per cent of that torque is available from 2000 rpm providing the accelerative ‘punch’ more usually expected in larger engines.

Entry-level diesel uses most powerful version of Alliance partner Renault’s acclaimed 1.5 dCi (K9K) engine developing 106 PS (78 kW) and 240Nm of torque. A Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) is also fitted as standard. Praised for its fuel efficiency and low noise, it features a flexible flywheel to filter out the effects of acyclic movements. Specifically developed to comply with Euro 4 legislation the engine has a lowered compression ratio (16:1) and a variable geometry, multi-blade turbocharger.

The 2.0 dCi is equipped with a Bosch piezoelectric-controlled injection system to develop 150 PS (110 kW) and 320 Nm of torque. Piezoelectric technology gives fast, very precise control allowing a ‘five squirt’ injection cycle: two pre-squirts, one main squirt and two post-squirts. The pre-squirts improve engine acoustics by minimising the characteristic diesel clatter. The post-squirts sustain the main injection combustion, to burn off soot and thus bring down pollutant emissions before the exhaust gases have even left the combustion chamber. Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) produces a controlled temperature rise in the combustion chamber to reduce pollutant emission levels (NOx) and thus enhance the engine’s overall environment performance. The 2.0-litre diesel engine is also equipped as standard with a DPF.

Transmission options include a five-speed manual (1.6-litre petrol), six-speed manual (2.0 petrol and both diesels), six-speed automatic (4WD 2.0 dCi) and, uniquely in its class, a highly efficient CVT transmission option on the 4WD 2.0-litre petrol offering a choice between ‘stepless’ changes or a manual over-ride with six fixed ratios.

Fuel economy on test as follows (two-up, driver and passenger, mixed route of country roads, towns and motorway so a fair test of the 'combined' figure):-

2.0 petrol 2WD 6-speed manual on 215/60 R17s: 38.1mpg

2.0 diesel 2WD 6-speed manual on 215/60 R17s: 43.2mpg

2.0 diesel 4WD 6-speed auto on 215/60 R17s: 41.2mpg

Priced from £17,199. On sale from 18-9-2008.

Price Examples:

2.0 petrol Acenta 2WD 6-speed manual on 215/60 R17s: £18,749

2.0 diesel Acenta, satnav 2WD 6-speed manual on 215/60 R17s: £21,499

2.0 diesel Tekna, satnav 4WD 6-speed auto on 215/60 R17s: £25,149

Announced 19-12-2008:

Introduction of 1.6 petrol and 1.5 diesel from January 2009.

Starting at £15,495 for the 1.6 Visia, and £16,995 for the 1.5 dCi Visia, the new models deliver the same winning combination of SUV-influenced styling, ‘command’ seating position and genuine driving enjoyment that ticks all the right boxes for families seeking great practicality and plenty of style.

The 103 PS 1.5-litre dCi models, complete with diesel particulate filter and six-speed manual transmission, are capable of an attractive 49.6 mpg combined, while 149 g/km CO2 means annual VED of just £120 – not bad for a car capable of transporting seven and clocking a 0 to 60mph time of 13.0 seconds while delivering driving flexibility in spades, thanks to 240 Nm of torque at 2000 rpm.

115 PS petrol 1.6-litre with five-speed manual sees 60 mph in a 12.6 seconds and a top speed of 108 mph. It still achieves 40.4 mpg combined and 165 g/km CO2 places it in tax band D for annual VED of £145.

17-4-2009: Qashqai and Qashqai + 2 n-tec model introduced. Positioned between Acenta and Tekna grades, and with prices starting from £17,645, n-tec is available on both Qashqai and Qashqai+2 bodystyles and across all engines, transmissions and body colours. Offers the excellent user-friendly Nissan Connect system, plus a colour reversing camera. Nissan Connect features include bluetooth connectivity, five-inch touch screen satellite navigation with 2D/3D map and full postcode search facility, CD with MP3/WMA playback, FM/AM radio, AUX socket and USB port for full iPod connection.

18-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic glass roof, rear privacy glass, satin silver roof rails and satin silver door handles give real visual appeal while inside specification highlights include an auto-dimming rear view mirror and silver alloy pedals.

36 months zero per cent APR offer, with a minimum 30 per cent deposit, benefits from 12 months free 'Just In Case' package. This is designed to protect customers should they be in the unfortunate position to lose their job through redundancy, accident or sickness, within the first 12 months of the finance agreement. Alternatively there's the option of a 6.9 per cent APR PCP deal over 36 or 48 months with a deposit of just 10 per cent.

Nissan Connect system now also comes as standard with the enhanced Tekna trim level which boasts a kit list worthy of its flagship status in the Qashqai family. Costing from £19,245 Tekna add-ons over n-tec include xenon headlamps with washers, body-coloured door handles, ESP, luxurious black leather trim, heated front seats and keyless entry/ignition.

New metallic colour Nightshade now available across the range

Qashqai+2 n-tec 1.6 £18,495

Qashqai+2 n-tec 1.5dCi £20,195

Qashqai+2 n-tec 2.0 2WD Man £20,045

Qashqai+2 n-tec 2.0 4WD Man £21,545

Qashqai+2 n-tec 2.0 4WD CVT £22,745

Qashqai+2 n-tec 2.0d 2WD Man £21,595

Qashqai+2 n-tec 2.0d 4WD Man £23,095

Qashqai+2 n-tec 2.0d 4WD Auto £24,295

15-6-2009: Qashqai rated 11th overall in the JD Power 2009 UK Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study of 101 models, its first appearance in the survey.

More at www.nissan.co.uk

Last updated 19-6-2009

What's Bad

Rearmost 6th and 7th seats are for small children or midgets only.

Reader's list of complaints about a Qashqai 2.0DCI Tekna auto:

1. We are very unhappy with the GPS/Satnav operation: Not having the ability to enter a postcode is a real drawback when you do not have the full address. We have spent a considerable time in Cheshire recently and frequently the lanes on which we were travelling were not even marked on the Qashqai satnav. The GPS unit is nowhere near up to date – we found one road, the A419 around Swindon, had been rebuilt into a dual-carriageway flyover some two years ago and a roundabout done away with, but our unit still showed the old layout with a roundabout?

2. The reversing camera is poor in when you are trying to reverse into shadowed areas, trees, walls etc. Also when the weather is wet beads of water collect on the camera lens and distort the rear view.

3. Sixth gear, I think is slow to come in and is not within specification as given below. Ours goes up to almost 2,500 revs in 5th with a light foot on the accelerator before it operates. Speed specifications for sixth gear are half throttle 76-80 mph and full throttle 96-103 mph. If this specification is correct this means that sixth gear cannot be used within the UK's road speed limits.

4. The electric windows can not be operated in the auxiliary position of the ignition switch, only when the ignition is on.

5. The LCD fuel/oil etc instrument, orange light on the dash board is very bright and distracting when driving at night, and in our opinion is dangerous. It is not all the instrument only the orange one, so the Instrument Brightness Control will not control this one instrument.

What to Watch Out For

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