Qashqai goes large

Nissan has enjoyed impressive success with sales of its Qashqai during 2008. Now the Qashqai offering has been extended with a new and bigger version of the car. Called the Qashqai+2, this version is longer and taller than the standard model. The benefits that the extra 211mm in length brings is that Nissan has been able to get an extra row of seats into the rear and head height is not compromised. On first impressions or with a passing glance, you may not notice that extra length. It"s there, though, and it delivers extra space to ensure that the new Qashqai+2 has real people carrier or MPV credentials. I took the 2.0 litre diesel-powered version on the road in early January. The new Nissan is well-equipped and the interior is clearly laid out; all controls are near at hand with a good selection of steering wheel controls for the radio and cruise control. The Qashqai+2 story is all about those extra seats. There are two additional seats in what would be the boot in most cars, giving the Qashqai+2 seven seat capacity. The seats are designed for children - I mean small ones - as legroom is tight, even with the middle row of seats moved forward. But, crucially, they give you the capacity to carry two extra small people in safety when needed. These extra seats are easily folded when not in use. This process is simplicity in itself and it provides for a much bigger boot area when they are folded flat. This side of the Qashqai+2 is well thought-out. The tonneau cover can be easily stored in a neat floor compartment when the seats are in use. And it"s easy to bring it back into action to hide your load once the seats are folded. The new Qashqai+2 comes as standard with a huge fixed panoramic glass roof that nearly runs the length of the car. If the weather is right, it opens up the cabin to create a sense of airiness. If the sun becomes a little too intense, then a sunshade will glide into place at the touch of a button. Nissan is providing standard privacy glass for all windows beyond the front doors. The Qashqai+2 is fitted with 17 inch alloy wheels and the roof bars are standard to give an added sense of exclusivity. At the outset, I mentioned that it"s a crossover vehicle and that might give the impression that it"s a 4x4. Its relatively high stance also gives that impression. Wrong, the Qashqai+2 is available in two-wheel-drive format in Ireland and there"s a choice of two diesel engines, with manual transmissions being the only gearbox options. To me, the Qashqai+2 with its 2.0 litre diesel has to be a great candidate for an automatic gearbox, and it would enhance its driving features. But it adds another €4,000 to the basic 2.0 litre version price. From a practical point of view, the Qashqai+2 is easy and comfortable to drive. The engine delivers well with relatively high power of 150bhp from the 2.0 litre unit. The entry 1.5 litre diesel has more modest acceleration ambitions, being almost three seconds slower off the blocks at 13.3 seconds in a 0 to 100km/h dash. With power comes the fuel economy difference and, in these thrifty times, the 1.5 litre diesel-powered Nissan comes with a 27 per cent fuel economy saving that just has to be noticed. The entry price for the Qashqai+2 with its 1.5 litre turbo-diesel engine is a little over €30,585. This is almost on a par with the much faster Toyota Verso, fitted with the bigger 2.2 litre diesel engine and more expensive than the Citroen C4 Picasso or Renault Scenic with similar size engines. The bigger 2.0 diesel model adds a further €4,000 to the price but there"s that fuel economy to consider for the pleasure of extra pace. Nissan has not spared the goodies in the new Qashqai+2. The car comes with electronic stability control (ESP), a simple to use Bluetooth phone kit, iPod jack and rear parking sensors as part of the standard deal. But it still seems expensive because it"s not remarkably spacious. The Qashqai+2 is flexible, though, it"s solid and is easy to drive with that extra height giving good road visibility. It gives the impression of being a 4x4 driver when you"re really not.