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, nevertheless it’s on the bigger finish of the phase and but it’s fairly economical.
Its attributes clearly resonate with Australian consumers, and it’s aided by sturdy identify recognition – even when not all people is aware of find out how to spell or pronounce stated identify – on account of its standard predecessor.
That reputation does imply, nevertheless, it’s not as available as some rivals.
Our knowledge says you possibly can be a 3-6 month look ahead to a brand new Qashqai.
It’s a great small crossover, however in case you’re desirous to get into a brand new automotive sooner listed here are another choices.
Anthony Crawford: Honda HR-V
In case you examine 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 together with the extra premium Honda is a no brainer, in my opinion.
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 total extra premium by way of consolation, practicality and dynamics. These may be household SUVs however the Honda is definitely enjoyable to drive, and has wonderful journey consolation on poor surfaces.
Thoughts, the reasonably priced finish of the small SUV phase has by no means had so many worthy selections for brand spanking new automotive consumers however I fee 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 together with your compact SUV? The Cupra Formentor isn’t appreciably smaller than a Qashqai inside, nevertheless it’s sportier to have a look at and extra enjoyable to drive.
In case you’re pinching pennies, the most affordable Qashqai comfortably undercuts the Cupra… however on the high 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 security tech within the Honda is nice. As commonplace, you’ve gotten all of the bells and whistles together with entrance and rear parking sensors, lane-keep help, adaptive cruise management, and AEB.
You’ll be able to match three little one seats within the second row and it has sufficient area 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.
In case you’re like me and have a raging worry of getting the automotive soiled with youngsters or transferring issues out and in, the VTi-LX has leather-based upholstery.
There are some things you’d need to 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 stated, it’s a bigger car.
Lastly, the boot area 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 dimension for singles, {couples} and rising households.
MORE: Purchase a Honda ZR-V
Jack Fast: Volkswagen T-Roc
In case you’re not keen to attend between three to 6 months for a Nissan Qashqai there isn’t any scarcity of different choices within the small SUV phase in Australia.
Some notable mentions for me embody the Mazda CX-30 and Subaru Crosstrek, nevertheless I’d argue your finest choose can 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 ceaselessly, but continues to outperform quite a few its rivals. This does come a bit of underdone nevertheless with how the Aisin-sourced eight-speed torque-converter automated transmission shuffles between gears.
In order for you extra energy the T-Roc additionally has the choice of the 140TSI 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine on the Fashion which provides all-wheel drive. Not one of the native Nissan Qashqai vary affords all-wheel drive.
One thing to notice nevertheless 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 shocked 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 alternative in case you’re searching for a brand new SUV between $33,000 and $52,000 earlier than on-roads, which is the value vary of the Qashqai.
In case you’re after a Qashqai, you most likely discover the thought of a large-ish small or small-ish medium SUV with a lovely 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. Significantly in 140TSI guise it’s a genuinely satisfying small SUV to drive because it doesn’t actually really feel like an SUV, however relatively a heat hatch.
The Hyundai Kona has additionally been improved of late, although as a substitute of a mid-life replace just like the T-Roc it has been handled to a whole redesign.
I used to be by no means actually a Kona fan, seeing it as being a relatively 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 automotive is best packaged, and the dreadful dual-clutch automated 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 model, however having to pony up for the top-spec mannequin simply to get LED headlights is patently absurd.
For a extra left-field alternative, 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 may be capable of get a great 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 principle ones price , which means a $40,000-$50,000 value bracket that permits you to get a properly optioned Karoq Fashion for comparable cash.
Tick the Tech Pack ($5700) on the bottom Karoq Fashion (from $45,590 drive-away) and also you’re 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 high 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 may be very environment friendly in real-world driving.
Merely, intelligent!
MORE: Purchase a Skoda Karoq
