SA Road Tests

Welcome

This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. We drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under South African conditions. It also just happens that most of the vehicles we drive are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get at home.

Unlike most car reports, what you read in these pages will not be a faithful reproduction, albeit slightly reworded, of what appeared in the manufacturer's press release. We look for background material, user experience and whatever else we can find that's beyond the obvious. Our guiding rule is that you will be able to tell that the car was actually driven.

*To read one of our archived road tests, just select from the alphabetical menu of manufacturers' names on the left. Hover your cursor over the manufacturer's name, then choose from the drop-down menu that appears.

*Pre-owned: Our tests go back quite a few years, so if you are looking for something pre-owned, you might well find a report on it in here.

*Please remember too, that prices quoted are those ruling at the time the reports were written.


We ascend to the 2014 Nissan Qashqai 1.6 dCi Acenta Xtronic

Getting it right

Posted: 1 August 2014

Introduced here just over a month ago, Nissan’s second generation Qashqai really is all-new. The old Nissan C platform made way for a more versatile Nissan-Renault Common Module Family (CMF) setup that’s also used for third-generation X-Trails; a new transmission joins the range and there’s a new engine line-up.

Still making the cut is the familiar 1500 cc diesel, but the 1600 cc and 2.0-litre petrol motors and 2.0 diesel were axed. Replacements are a 1200 cc turbo petrol unit developing 85 kilowatts and the 1600 cc, 96 kW, Renault dCi 130 turbodiesel introduced in some Méganes and Scénics a couple of years ago. It’s a few kilowatts less powerful than the outgoing 2.0 diesel but torque output is the same at 320 Nm and it’s more efficient.

As for transmissions, the five-speed manual is history and the old CVT with six virtual ratios made way for a much-improved new Xtronic constantly variable unit with seven artificially defined steps in its delivery. Motor manufacturers complain that reviewers “don’t understand” CVTs. They say we complain about the boxes’ slippery and whiney behaviours because we aren’t prepared to drive like grannies or wait while the silly things make up their mechanical minds as to when they might choose to do the jobs for which they were designed.

Only a handful of CVT manufacturers get the formula right and Carlos Ghosn, Nissan-Renault’s CEO, has been on record urging JATCO, the company’s in-house transmission supplier, to get its act together on the CVT issue. The new ‘box, coupled with this engine at least, actually works as it should. That loose and ineffectual feeling has gone, thanks to electronically induced “steps” that re-introduce the rising and falling revs we are used to as conventional boxes change gear. It also accelerates decently when you're forceful with the loud pedal and it kicks down without fuss. We rate it on par with a nicely set up conventional automatic.

Appearance-wise, the new Qashqai’s front end features a prominent new Nissan V-grille supported by angular headlights, an accented clamshell bonnet and an aggressive front bumper with deep air dam. All models are characterised by LED daytime running lamps that create a classy light signature.

Muscular cues continue into bold wheel arches and a strong shoulder line dictating a sleek and aggressive side window profile – balanced by a selection of new wheel designs. The SUV stance remains; with raised ride height and black bumper cladding reinforcing its adventurous image. At the rear, strong wraparound tail light clusters with LED elements flank a pert tail gate and unfussy bumper to round off its appeal.

Apart from that the three engines, a pair of trim levels and two transmissions create five definable models, one of which is a 4x4, although a cluster of option packs increases the available range to 16 variants. The 1200s come in either Visia or Acenta trim with options making up six choices, 1.5-litre diesels are Acenta-only but spread over four models, while 1600cc diesels are all Acenta; CVT-only in 4x2 (three choices) or manual-only in 4x4 guise for a further three choices.

Suspension, as before, is courtesy of McPherson struts in front and a multilink setup at the rear, making for a secure and compliant ride. Ground clearance is still 200 mm and it behaves well on average-to-vulgar Provincial dirt roads. Brakes on all models are discs at both ends with ABS, EBD, EBA and an electrically powered parking brake. Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) and hill holder are included.

And part of what you don’t see but do get, is Chassis Control comprising Active Trace Control and Active Ride Control. Active Trace Control complements VDC at lower speeds by applying specific braking force to each wheel to correct the course of the vehicle during cornering, enabling a more dynamic feel without interfering with the driving experience. Active Ride Control goes further; enhancing the ride with flatter body behaviour by applying subtle braking to individual wheels when driving over undulating surfaces.

Qashqais have always been well equipped so this high-end model keeps up the good work with its six airbags, a six-speaker radio and CD/MP3 player with auxiliary, USB and Bluetooth, automated dual zone air conditioning, cruise control, front fog lights, roof rails, central locking with touch zones on the front doors, push-button starting, automatic headlamps, eco mode, baby seat anchors and child proof locks. Power windows all around with one-touch for the driver, auto-dipping rearview and folding electric exterior mirrors are there too. Satellite navigation, leather upholstery, surround-view cameras and Nissan Connect entertainment are available as options.

The Alliance’s dCi 130 (BHP) engine is presently the most powerful 1600cc diesel available in South Africa and, in this application, does its job very well. Ticking over at about 2100 rpm at 120 km/h in virtual seventh gear, it cruises well, accelerates nicely from highway speeds when required to do so and pulls strongly up hills. We could get used to it quite easily.

Although there was no direct equivalent, engine and transmission-wise, in the previous range this new small diesel automatic performs well and is noticeably lighter on fuel than its 2.0-litre predecessor. It is also roomy, carries a decent load and is well equipped. We liked it.

Test car from Nissan SA press fleet

The numbers

Price range: R382 500 – R409 200, depending on options
Engine: 1598 cc, four-cylinder turbodiesel
Power: 96 kW at 4000 rpm
Torque: 320 Nm at 1750 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 11,1  seconds
Maximum speed: 183 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 6,7 l/100 km
Tank: 50 litres
Fuel requirement: 50-ppm diesel
Luggage capacity: 430 – 1585 litres (VDA method)
Warranty: 3 years/100 000 km; with roadside assistance
Service plan: 3 years/90 000 km; at 15 000 km intervals

No official pics of automatic - sorry

What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.
Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material. If I ever place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with that vehicle at least once already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.

Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. As quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so they can see I do actually exist.

Comments?
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