Nissan Qashqai - looks unpronounceable, but if you say ‘kaskar’ quickly it almost sounds like the correct pronunciation ‘Kash-Kai’! By the way it is named after a desert-dwelling nomadic tribe in South Western Iran!

A distinctive "urban nomad"

One thing I can promise, it is only the name that might not roll off the tongue, when it comes to the ‘Urban Nomad’ itself everything just seems to fall in place! First and foremost its looks - its distinctive styling is a marriage of the sleek shape of a passenger car with the look of a sturdy SUV.

High seats of a SUV - handles like a hatchback

The Qashqai’s dynamic exterior is matched by an asymmetric interior, providing a focused cockpit environment for the driver and a relaxing space for the occupants. High seating positions provide that sense of security, normally found in a SUV, yet the Qashqai is more dynamic, with the acceleration and handling capabilities of a hatchback. 

Price: From R183 900 To R219 958 Article Options Email to Friend Print Article Remove from Favorites Add to Favorites Remove from 'Articles to Read' Add to 'Articles to Read'

Available in three petrol models

There are three petrol models - the 1.6 Visia, 1.6 Acenta and 2.0 Acenta. The 1.6 engine delivers 81kW and 154Nm torque, while the 2-litre delivers a lively 102kW with 198Nm torque.

The 1.6 Visia and Acenta come with 5-speed manual transmissions and the 2-litre with a 6-speed manual transmission. 

Hands-free Bluetooth comes standard!

The carefully conceived interior is crammed with intelligent storage solutions for maximum functionality and flexibility. Quite nifty is an integrated hands-free Bluetooth phone system with controls on the steering wheel - standard across the range!

The Qashqai’s controls have been wrapped around the driver, who is separated from the front seat passenger by an unusually high centre console. Incorporating a cutaway section on the driver’s side for the handbrake, the centre console also houses twin cup holders and a storage box with integrated sliding armrests.

Comfort combined with extra cornering support

The seats are sculpted in both front and rear which adds to the purposeful feel of the interior. In keeping with its sporting potential, the front seats have high density foam side bolsters for extra support when cornering. The rear seats, with a 60/40 split, offer optimum comfort for two although the Qashqai comfortably seats five, with three point safety belts for all. It also offers a very generous cargo space, with or without the seats folded down.

Safety is a key strength including features such as ABS with EBD with Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) on the 2-litre Acenta.

The Qashqai’s recommended retail prices range from R183 900 to R219 958 and includes a 3-year/90 000km service plan as well as a 3-year/100 000km warranty.