Qashqai ready for Oz showrooms in January

NISSAN has launched its Qashqai small SUV in Australia this month, the all-new model – which shares its CMF-C underpinnings with the larger X-Trail – due in local showrooms from January 2023 priced from $33,890 plus on-road costs.

Offering more power and torque, and improved fuel economy courtesy of a 1.3-litre turbocharged engine and continuously variably transmission combination, the five-seat Qashqai is also larger, safer and better equipped than before.

Designed at the Nissan Design Europe facility in London, and manufactured in the UK, the Qashqai draws on the styling of the X-Trail with a familiar ‘floating’ roof with integrated spoiler, Nissan’s trademark V-motion grille and frontal motif, Boomerang LED headlights, active grille shutters and a single ‘fast line’ that runs in profile from front to rear.

The tailgate, which is now constructed of composite and weighs 2.6kg less than before, offers horizontal theming to exaggerate the model’s width, giving it a ‘more athletic’ stance, Nissan says.

With a stiffer body than before, the new Qashqai is said to offer 41 per cent greater torsional rigidity while being some 60kg lighter. The front and rear doors, front mudguards and bonnet are all constructed from aluminium, delivering not only a safer and stronger body, but improved refinement, handling and response.

Nissan has grown the Qashqai in every dimension. The wheelbase is now 19mm longer than before which overall length grows 31mm. The model is also 30mm taller and 29mm wider, making it the widest model available in the Small SUV under $40K segment.

Braked towing capacity for the model jumps 300kg to 1500kg, bettering some models even in the next segment up (Medium SUV under $60K).

Like the X-Trail, the Qashqai offers wide-opening doors (85 degrees) to improve ingress and egress, while rear-seat leg- and knee-room is likewise improved. Enhanced passenger comfort also stems from the use of multi-link rear suspension (replacing the torsion beam arrangement offered previously) in all grades. The front-end retains a MacPherson strut set-up.

Under the bonnet, the Qashqai arrives exclusively with turbocharged petrol power, for now, Nissan set to offer its e-Power hybrid driveline from later in 2023. At launch, the Qashqai arrives only with Nissan-Renault’s HR13DDT four-cylinder unit coupled to a continuously variable transmission and driving the front wheels.

Power and torque numbers are listed at 110kW (at 5500rpm) and 250Nm (at 1600-3750rpm) while fuel consumption comes in at 6.1 litres per 100km, down 0.8 litres. The engine is also equipped with idle-stop technology, trimming combined cycle CO2 emissions to 138g/km, down 21g.

Braking is disc all-round with the expected electronic aids as standard. Alloy wheels are likewise standard across the range.

Inside, and on the technology front, we find all Qashqai variants equipped with a touchscreen audio system and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. All model variants receive keyless entry and push-button ignition, folding wing mirrors and rear-seat air vents as well as LED headlights with high beam assist, LED DRLs and a shark fin-style antenna.

For the Qashqai ST (from $33,890 plus ORCs) we also find 17-inch alloy wheels, an electronic park brake with auto hold function, adaptive cruise control, two front and two rear USB charging ports (USB-A and USB-C), manually-adjustable front seating, a six-speaker audio system with DAB+ digital radio reception, 8.0-inch infotainment screen and 7.0-inch driver assistance screen within the instrument cluster.

The entry-grade model further includes a rear camera and parking sensors and Nissan’s comprehensive Intelligent Mobility safety suite comprising forward collision warning, AEB with junction assist and pedestrian/cyclist detection, blind spot warning and intervention, lane departure warning and intervention, traffic sign recognition, rear AEB, rear cross-traffic alert, active speed limiter and rear seat/door alert, a tyre pressure monitor and seven airbags – including a far side centre airbag.

ST+ variants (from ($37,890 plus ORCs) add a 12.3-inch infotainment array with satellite navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay, LED front fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, 18-inch alloys, 360-degree camera technology and an optional two-tone roof ($500).

For third-tier ST-L (from $42,190 plus ORCs) – which is expected to take the lion’s share of Qashqai sales – Nissan adds 19-inch alloys, a wireless smartphone charger, roof rails, LEF indicators (rear), auto-dimming rear-view mirror, adaptive headlights, dual-zone climate control, centre console with tray and ambient lighting, luggage hooks, a heated steering wheel and heated front seats, cloth/PVC upholstery, power driver’s seat adjustment, a rear seat armrest, alarm, front parking sensors, and Nissan’s ProPilot driver assistance technology.

Finally, and topping the range, we find the Qashqai Ti priced from $47,390 plus ORCs. In addition to/in lieu of those features listed for the ST-L, the variant arrives as standard with a panoramic glass roof with electric sunshade, quilted leather accented upholstery, LED ambient lighting, a black hood liner, 10.8-inch head-up display, 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, 10-speaker BOSE audio system, electric handsfree tailgate, reverse tilt mirrors, Divide-N-Hide cargo storage divider, key-based driver profiles, a power adjustable passenger seat, driver seat memory, front seat massage function and self-parking assist with side parking sensors.

“This new model delivers more of everything Australian drivers love about the Qashqai, with more power, better efficiency, segment-leading safety equipment and technology, and confidence-inspiring ride and handling that feels as at home in the city as it does on a twisting road,” said Nissan Australia managing director Adam Paterson.

“It really is the small SUV that’s big on everything that matters, and we can’t wait for our customers to experience it for themselves.”

Year-to-date figures published by the FCAI show the 23-vehicle-strong Small SUV under $40K market segment is currently dominated by the MG ZS (19,410) ahead of the Mazda CX-30 (12,975), Mitsubishi ASX (11,976), Hyundai Kona (11,082) and Kia Seltos (8198).

Visit GoAuto News again to read our local launch review of the 2023 Nissan Qashqai range.

2023 Nissan Qashqai pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.