Nissan Qashqai Review: 2007 Model | Qashqai | Car Buyers Guide

2007 Nissan Qashqai Review

Last month we drove the entry-level Qashqai 1.6 and the range-topping Qashqai 2.0 and found the 1.6 to be rather good and the 2.0 rather poor. I predicted that the 1.5 dCi would be a better engine than the 1.6 but that it wouldn't be worth the extra €2,700 diesel cost and you know what? I was wrong. The 1.5 dCi is a very good engine with lots of torque and great refinement economy but I still think I prefer the 1.6-litre, particularly in the context that most Qashqais will be used mostly on the school run and for nipping to the shops. 

The 1.6-litre is a gutsy unit that's happy to give it's all from the moment you turn the key while the 1.5 dCi is more laid back, less willing to spool up at low RPM and better suited to distance driving and long commutes. The 1.5 dCi also has quite a narrow rev-range (nothing unusual in a diesel engine) but because the gearchange isn't brilliant it becomes work to get it up to speed whereas the 1.6-litre is up with the flow of traffic before you even grab third gear, allowing you to fumble your way through the rest of the 'box in your own time. Also, on cold mornings the 1.5 diesel is slow to warm (again, nothing new here- all diesel are slower to get up to temp) which means the cabin doesn't warm until the time you're back from the Sunday paper run while the petrol gets hotter faster. It's also quieter when you first fire it up, making it possible to sneak out for a late night trips to the pizzeria without arousing the young 'uns whereas the 1.5 dCi makes the usual, attention-grabbing diesel rattle until it's up to temperature.

On the open road the 1.5dCi is exceptional, zipping along at motorways speeds without ever needing to drop into the fifth to catch up with traffic or scale an incline. It's also outstandingly economical on long drives, though no less impressive on shorter drives, which is handy for busy parents and easier on the pocket too, to the tune of around €2 per 100 km (based on the average economy figures and the price of petrol and diesel according to the AA). Unfortunately, the price premium for owning a diesel is such that it would take 1.35 million kilometres to recoup the difference, making it a bit of a false economy if your goal is to save money. Even if it was the same price, I'd still go for the 1.6 anyway, I think. The 1.5 dCi is a better engine, but it’s not the engine that suits the Qashqai best.

 

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 106 hp, 240 Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Acceleration: 0–100 km/h: 12.2 seconds
Top speed: 174 km/h
Economy: 5.4 L/100 km
CO2: 145 g/km
Boot Capacity: 410 litres
Weight: 1407 kg
Base Price: €29,195
Price as tested: €29,645
Verdict: Seat has done well to give the Leon FR its own personality, but in terms of style and dynamics VW wasn't going to alllow it top the mighty Golf GTi.
4 Stars

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€ 24,945 when New

Key Facts

New Price
€ 24,945
Make

Nissan

Model
Qashqai
Variant
1.5 dCi 110hp
First Launched
2010
Transmission
Manual
Engine & Transmission
6 Speed Manual
Fuel type
Diesel
Body Type
SUV

Running Costs

Average L/100km
4.34

Performance

Driven Wheels
Front
Engine (L)
1461
Break Horsepower
110
Top Speed
177
Acceleration (0-100 km/h)
12.4
Cylinders
4
Torque
240

Space & Practicality

Doors
5
Seats
5
Kerb weight
1418
Tyre Size Front
1418

Safety

Euro NCAP Star Rating
5

Nissan Qashqai ( 2007)

71/100
our score
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Pros
  • Styling & Design

    Cute

  • Engine Specifications

    Great range

  • Performance

    Zippy 1.5dCi/1.6

  • Ride & Handling

    Sophisticated feel

  • Interior & Ergonomics

    Brilliant layout

  • Space & Practicality

    Roomy, great layout

  • Safety

    Great spec

  • Value & Running Costs

    Lots for your €

  • Quality & Refinement

    Refined?

  • Equipment

    Great spec

  • Summary

    Roomy, well equipped, safe

Cons
  • Styling & Design

    Lacks muscle

  • Engine Specifications

    Pointless 2.0

  • Performance

    Silly 2.0

  • Ride & Handling

    Gearbox/not quick

  • Interior & Ergonomics

    Gearchange

  • Space & Practicality

    Bench rear seat

  • Safety

    Optional ESP

  • Value & Running Costs

    Avoid top models

  • Quality & Refinement

    Plastics?

  • Equipment

    No ESP

  • Summary

    No rocket, no ESP, lacks visual oomph

Style & Design
6/10

The Qashqai (pronounced Cash-Kye) is just one of 3 vehicles Nissan is using to replace the slow-selling Almera. Its SUV/hatchback crossover bodywork looks better in the metal than in pics though you won't fool anyone into thinking it's an SUV.

Performance
7/10

Ride & Handling
6/10

The Qashqai is surprisingly good to drive, despite the tall bodywork the centre of gravity is quite low so it corners well and is reasonably communicative. The sophisticated suspension keeps the ride supple, too, but the gearchange is poor and it isn't quick.

Interior & Ergonomics
8/10

The interior designers really understood the needs of their customers and made the Qashqai as painless to use as possible. Everything is places where you'd expect it works as it should (except for the notchy gearchange). Even the Bluetooth stereo can be deciphered without difficulty.

Quality & Refinement
7/10

Nissan usually builds its cars to last and the Qashqai is no exception. Interior quality is about what you'd expect from a Japanese car while many of the materials have an upmarket feel. It also helps that's it's attractively designed, too.

Safety
8/10

Every Qashqai will has 6 airbags, ISOFIX child seat mounts, three-point belts and headrests on all seats, a bluetooth phone kit and foglights as standard on all models. ESP is a disappointing €800 extra, thuogh.

Space & Practicality
7/10

Despite the basic design of the rear bench (it's not a 3 separate seats like most MPVs) the Qashqai is still hugely impressive as a family car. Rear seat room is vast, as is the boot, while the cockpit area has lots of storage room for odds and ends.

Value & Running Costs
7/10

The Qashqai is great value at entry-level specification but is less impressive as you move up the range. The diesel isn't really worth the extra €2,700 and SVE models don't add enough to merit the additional €2,500 either. Running costs should be minimal, though, and resale values will be high.

Equipment
7/10

Every Qashqai has four electric windows, electric mirrors, air con, six airbags, remote locks, 16-inch alloys, bluetooth and a CD/MP3 player. SVE models add 17-inch alloy wheels, remote stereo controls and upmarket trim.

Engine Specifications
8/10

The 106bhp 1.5 dCi churns up plenty of pulling power (thanks to its 240Nm of torque) while the 1.6 petrol is willing but needs to be revved to make progress. The 140bhp 2.0 petrol is terribly lacklustre, especially with the CVT and 4X4, while the 2.0 diesel isn't offered here, sadly.


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