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The just lately redesigned Nissan Qashqai occupies a candy spot within the Japanese model’s vary.
It’s bigger and extra refined than the Juke, with out being fairly as giant because the X-Path. It’s technically a small SUV, however it’s on the bigger finish of the phase and but it’s fairly economical.
Its attributes clearly resonate with Australian patrons, and it’s aided by robust title recognition – even when not all people is aware of learn how to spell or pronounce mentioned title – on account of its widespread predecessor.
That recognition does imply, nonetheless, it’s not as available as some rivals.
Our information says you might be taking a look at a 3-6 month watch for a brand new Qashqai.
It’s a very good small crossover, however in the event you’re desirous to get into a brand new automobile sooner listed here are another choices.
Anthony Crawford: Honda HR-V
Should you evaluate pricing for the top-spec petrol Nissan Qashqai ($47,390 earlier than on-roads) in opposition to the top-spec Honda HR-V hybrid ($47,000 drive-away), the selection to go along with the extra premium Honda is a no brainer, for my part.
Whereas I’m a fan of Nissan’s most up-to-date designs throughout the board, I nonetheless discover the HR-V and ZR-V to be extra resolved and general extra premium by way of consolation, practicality and dynamics. These could be household SUVs however the Honda is definitely enjoyable to drive, and has glorious journey consolation on poor surfaces.
Thoughts, the inexpensive finish of the small SUV phase has by no means had so many worthy decisions for brand spanking new automobile patrons however I charge the HR-V forward of the sport on a holistic stage.
MORE: Purchase a Honda HR-V
Scott Collie: Cupra Formentor
Why not have a little bit of enjoyable along with your compact SUV? The Cupra Formentor isn’t appreciably smaller than a Qashqai inside, however it’s sportier to have a look at and extra enjoyable to drive.
Should you’re pinching pennies, the most affordable Qashqai comfortably undercuts the Cupra… however on the prime finish of the vary, the Qashqai is knocking on the door of the Formentor V’s price ticket.
MORE: Purchase a Cupra Formentor
Jade Credentino: Honda ZR-V
This new child within the playground is nice worth for cash, significantly the VTi L and VTi LX at $43,200 and $48,500 drive-away, respectively.
The protection tech within the Honda is nice. As commonplace, you’ve all of the bells and whistles together with entrance and rear parking sensors, lane-keep help, adaptive cruise management, and AEB.
You may match three little one seats within the second row and it has sufficient house for a stroller and day-to-day household actions.
Additionally price mentioning, the servicing prices are a lot decrease for the ZR-V than its rivals.
Should you’re like me and have a raging concern of getting the automobile soiled with youngsters or shifting issues out and in, the VTi-LX has leather-based upholstery.
There are some things you’d must compromise on with ZR-V. It has barely much less torque than a Qashqai (240Nm vs 250Nm), and it’s much less fuel-efficient with mixed cycle consumption of seven.0L/100km (versus 6.1L/100km). That mentioned, it’s a bigger automobile.
Lastly, the boot house is compromised because of the ZR-V’s raked tailgate. You lose round 50L compared to the Qashqai.
Nonetheless, I benefit from the ZR-V and it’s an ideal measurement for singles, {couples} and rising households.
MORE: Purchase a Honda ZR-V
Jack Fast: Volkswagen T-Roc
Should you’re not keen to attend between three to 6 months for a Nissan Qashqai there isn’t a scarcity of different choices within the small SUV phase in Australia.
Some notable mentions for me embody the Mazda CX-30 and Subaru Crosstrek, nonetheless I’d argue your greatest decide could be the Volkswagen T-Roc.
I’m an enormous fan of the entry-level T-Roc’s 110TSI 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that has seemingly been round endlessly, but continues to outperform various its rivals. This does come a bit of underdone nonetheless with how the Aisin-sourced eight-speed torque-converter computerized transmission shuffles between gears.
If you would like extra energy the T-Roc additionally has the choice of the 140TSI 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine on the Type which provides all-wheel drive. Not one of the native Nissan Qashqai vary gives all-wheel drive.
One thing to notice nonetheless is the T-Roc doesn’t include the choice of a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain just like the Qashqai e-Energy. Regardless of this I’ve at all times been fairly stunned with how environment friendly the core T-Roc’s engines are.
MORE: Purchase a Volkswagen T-Roc
William Stopford: Hyundai Kona 1.6T
You’re completely spoilt for selection in the event you’re searching for a brand new SUV between $33,000 and $52,000 earlier than on-roads, which is the worth vary of the Qashqai.
Should you’re after a Qashqai, you in all probability discover the concept of a large-ish small or small-ish medium SUV with a pretty inside and a versatile turbocharged or hybrid powertrain interesting.
My intuition was to say the Volkswagen T-Roc, now that they’ve largely mounted up its horrible inside, however Jack beat me to that. Notably in 140TSI guise it’s a genuinely pleasing small SUV to drive because it doesn’t actually really feel like an SUV, however reasonably a heat hatch.
The Hyundai Kona has additionally been improved of late, although as an alternative of a mid-life replace just like the T-Roc it has been handled to an entire redesign.
I used to be by no means actually a Kona fan, seeing it as being a reasonably awkward-looking factor that was much less sensible than an i30 hatch, however the brand new mannequin is a way more interesting affair – that unbearable overspeed chime apart.
The brand new automobile is healthier packaged, and the dreadful dual-clutch computerized has been faraway from the Kona 1.6T. There’s additionally a hybrid to rival the Qashqai e-Energy.
I’ll admit the Kia Seltos is extra my type, however having to pony up for the top-spec mannequin simply to get LED headlights is patently absurd.
For a extra left-field selection, Ford has some leftover Escape inventory. It’s one of many extra nimble SUVs in its class and one of the crucial highly effective, and also you would possibly be capable to get a very good deal on one.
MORE: Purchase a Hyundai Kona
James Wong: Skoda Karoq
The oft-forgotten Czech crossover from the VW Group traces up properly in opposition to Nissan’s Qashqai, straddling small and medium segments with nice inside packaging and city-friendly exterior dimensions.
For me, the Qashqai ST-L and Ti are the primary ones price taking a look at, that means a $40,000-$50,000 worth bracket that lets you get a properly optioned Karoq Type for comparable cash.
Tick the Tech Pack ($5700) on the bottom Karoq Type (from $45,590 drive-away) and also you’re taking a look at a smidgen over $50,000 in your driveway which is about the identical cash as a Qashqai Ti.
This pack provides niceties like Matrix LED headlights, a bigger touchscreen with navigation on prime of the usual wi-fi Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, in addition to surround-view cameras.
Whereas the bottom 1.4 TSI seems to be a bit of meek on paper, its 110kW/250Nm outputs are a precise match for the Qashqai’s 1.3L turbo and the Skoda’s engine could be very environment friendly in real-world driving.
Merely, intelligent!
MORE: Purchase a Skoda Karoq
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