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Nissan Qashqai vs Mazda CX-5

What's the difference?

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Nissan Qashqai
Nissan Qashqai

$33,890 - $52,090

2024 price

Mazda CX-5
Mazda CX-5

$36,590 - $55,000

2024 price

Summary

2024 Nissan Qashqai
2024 Mazda CX-5
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 3, 1.5L

Turbo 4, 2.5L
Fuel Type
Electric/Pulp

-
Fuel Efficiency
5.2L/100km (combined)

8.2L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • e-Power limited to costly Ti grade only
  • Requires 95 RON premium unleaded
  • No spare wheel – boo!

  • Feels compact inside
  • Individual storage on the thin side
  • Thirsty engine
2024 Nissan Qashqai Summary

Everybody loves an underdog story and Nissan’s one is a beauty.

For decades, the model we knew as the Pulsar struggled to crack the European small car market against the likes of the Ford Focus and the company was in serious strife. Worthy but derivative, it struggled to stand out.

So, for its 2007 replacement, some bright sparks convinced Nissan to reimagine the hatch by butching it up, raising the ride height and changing the name to something exotically daft. And, voila, the original Qashqai was born.

Initially sold in Australia as the Dualis, it quickly became a global smash hit, finally catapulting the brand from follower to leader, creating the small SUV segment as we know it today.

If you love your Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-30, Toyota C-HR or VW T-Roc you have Nissan’s ingenuity to thank.

Now it’s at it again with the Qashqai e-Power – an EV-first hybrid using a petrol engine to only charge its battery so an electric motor can drive the front wheels. More than a Prius, less than a Tesla, then.

The next big thing or a dead end? Let’s find out.

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2024 Mazda CX-5 Summary

This week I’m family testing the new Mazda CX-5 Akera G35 and the top-grade model is well-equipped. But it faces stiff competition in the mid-sized SUV market with rivals like the Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage and the ever-popular Toyota RAV4.

How do you remain competitive in one of the most popular SUV classes? My family of three is finding out for you!

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Deep dive comparison

2024 Nissan Qashqai 2024 Mazda CX-5

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