Nissan Reviews

If you’re after a bit more kit from your Qashqai but don’t want to crack the $40,000 mark, there’s the ST+. It’s just like an ST but with more stuff.Pricing is set at $37,890, before on-road costs, which is about $5000 more than the model it replaces. It’s also $4000 more than an ST.But for that $4000, you get a larger 12.3-inch multimedia display with sat-nav and wireless Apple CarPlay, LED fog lights, a surround-view monitor, rain-sensing wipers and 18-inch alloy wheels.Until the arrival of the 'ePower' hybrid in 2023, the ST+ uses a new 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine - found in the Renault Captur and Arkana - delivering a more than reasonable 110kW/250Nm, matching the Skoda Kamiq. It’s front-wheel drive and uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT).There’s a lot more safety gear too, including auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and junction detection, rear AEB with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise, rear cross-traffic alert, a front centre airbag, lane departure warning, and a blind spot warning.

After eight years, the Nissan Qashqai has finally been replaced by a new-generation model. A new platform, new powertrain and a massive uptick in standard equipment - including all-important safety gear - are the headline acts.The base ST kicks things off at $33,890, before on-road costs, for the auto - there is no longer a range-opening, sub-$30,000 manual - and that’s a $3000 increase compared with the outgoing ST.Thankfully, you get a lot of gear, including auto LED headlights, 8.0-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, heated and auto-folding exterior mirrors, auto stop-start, keyless entry and start and 17-inch alloy wheels. But you also get cloth seats and a plastic steering wheel. And if you want the bigger touchscreen you have to step up to the ST+.Until the arrival of the 'ePower' hybrid in 2023, all Qashqai grades are powered by a new 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine - seen in the Renault Captur and Arkana - offering up a healthy 110kW/250Nm, the same as a Skoda Kamiq. It’s front-wheel drive only and uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT).Safety gets a big boost in the new model with auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and junction detection, rear AEB with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise, rear cross-traffic alert, a front centre airbag, lane departure warning, and a blind-spot warning.

The Nissan Qashqai lived a long life in its second generation, and was a compelling value-packed model late in its run. But tech and powertrain-wise, it lagged its newer competitors. Nissan has introduced the third-generation of its small SUV and it now comes with a lot of the safety and in-car tech missing from the old one. But is the price hike worth it?

Sitting atop the X-Trail range is the new flagship grade - the Ti-L.

Stepping up to the second-from-top Ti grade, it's a five-seat only and all-wheel drive affair, with pricing set at $49,990 before on-road costs.

Sitting at the top of the Pathfinder range is the flagship Ti-L which is new to the line-up. It is a four-wheel-drive only proposition and it is priced from $80,227 - more than $10k on top of the Ti.

Like the ST, the lower-mid grade ST-L comes in front-wheel drive five-seat guise for $43,190 before on-road costs, and all-wheel drive seven-seat guise for $46,290.

Further up the Pathfinder ladder is the higher grade Ti that’s available in both two-wheel drive guise from $65,910 before on-road costs and four-wheel drive for a circa $4000 premium at $70,030.

The ST loses the manual for the new-generation X-Trail, not that many people would have bought the manual anyway.

The mid-range Pathfinder ST-L is four-wheel drive only and starts at $61,790 before on-road costs, which is about a $7600 premium over the 2WD ST.