The not too long ago 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-Trail. It’s technically a small SUV, nevertheless it’s on the bigger finish of the section and but it’s fairly economical.
Its attributes clearly resonate with Australian consumers, and it’s aided by sturdy identify recognition – even when not everyone is aware of easy methods to spell or pronounce stated identify – on account of its common predecessor.
That reputation does imply, nevertheless, it’s not as available as some rivals.
Our knowledge says you could possibly be a 3-6 month anticipate a brand new Qashqai.
It’s small crossover, however when you’re desirous to get into a brand new automobile sooner listed below are another choices.
Anthony Crawford: Honda HR-V
For those who evaluate pricing for the top-spec petrol Nissan Qashqai ($47,390 earlier than on-roads) towards 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 total extra premium when it comes to consolation, practicality and dynamics. These is likely to be household SUVs however the Honda is definitely enjoyable to drive, and has wonderful experience consolation on poor surfaces.
Thoughts, the reasonably priced finish of the small SUV section has by no means had so many worthy decisions for brand spanking new automobile consumers however I fee the HR-V forward of the sport on a holistic stage.
MORE: Buy 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.
For those who’re pinching pennies, the most cost effective 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: Buy 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 normal, you will have all of the bells and whistles together with entrance and rear parking sensors, lane-keep help, adaptive cruise management, and AEB.
You possibly can match three little one seats within the second row and it has sufficient area for a stroller and day-to-day household actions.
Additionally value mentioning, the servicing prices are a lot decrease for the ZR-V than its rivals.
For those who’re like me and have a raging concern of getting the automobile soiled with children 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 stated, it’s a bigger car.
Lastly, the boot area is compromised due to 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: Buy a Honda ZR-V
Jack Fast: Volkswagen T-Roc
For those who’re not keen to attend between three to 6 months for a Nissan Qashqai there is no such thing as a scarcity of different choices within the small SUV section in Australia.
Some notable mentions for me embody the Mazda CX-30 and Subaru Crosstrek, nevertheless I’d argue your greatest choose 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 eternally, but continues to outperform a lot of its rivals. This does come a bit of underdone nevertheless with how the Aisin-sourced eight-speed torque-converter computerized transmission shuffles between gears.
If you’d 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 presents 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 stunned with how environment friendly the core T-Roc’s engines are.
MORE: Buy a Volkswagen T-Roc
William Stopford: Hyundai Kona 1.6T
You’re completely spoilt for selection when 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.
For those who’re after a Qashqai, you in all probability discover the concept of a large-ish small or small-ish medium SUV with a horny inside and a versatile turbocharged or hybrid powertrain interesting.
My intuition was to say the Volkswagen T-Roc, now that they’ve largely fastened up its horrible inside, however Jack beat me to that. Significantly in 140TSI guise it’s a genuinely gratifying small SUV to drive because it doesn’t actually really feel like an SUV, however fairly 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 fairly 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 best 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 vital highly effective, and also you would possibly be capable to get deal on one.
MORE: Buy a Hyundai Kona
James Wong: Skoda Karoq
The oft-forgotten Czech crossover from the VW Group traces up properly towards 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 value , that means a $40,000-$50,000 value bracket that lets you get a properly optioned Karoq Type for related cash.
Tick the Tech Pack ($5700) on the bottom Karoq Type (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 appears to be like a bit of meek on paper, its 110kW/250Nm outputs are an actual 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: Buy a Skoda Karoq
