Updated May 25 2022

Over the past five years, the growth in the subcompact SUV segment has been phenomenal. Fortunately, some of them stand out, like the Nissan Qashqai, which is at the top of its category, ahead of a few models that give it a hard time, like the Mazda CX-30, the Honda HR-V, the Hyundai Kona and the Kia Seltos.

A perfectly balanced and complete vehicle, it offers superior comfort and is, all in all, more interesting than its main rivals; here are some of the reasons.

Nissan Qashqai: Balance

When choosing a vehicle, you want the best of everything; unfortunately, this is almost impossible. For example, if a given model offers more power and more cargo space, its fuel consumption may be higher or its driving behavior may be more erratic.

In other words, there is no such thing as a perfect vehicle. That’s why manufacturers try to offer the best possible compromise, to give you something that does more than less.

Nissan is a master at this, and the Japanese company knows what its customers are looking for and listens, as is the case with the Qashqai.

Mechanical Specifications: A Complete Roadmap

The latter is not dominant in many aspects, but presents the most complete roadmap. For example, the Nissan Qashqai review praise its handling, which is a perfect blend of comfort and sportiness. Eric LeFrançois emphasized its versatility in L’Annuel de l’automobile:

“It’s also one of the best-handling cars around. And it’s at ease in the city.”

Its cargo space is extremely generous, with a maximum of 1,730 liters. Its fuel consumption is one of the lowest in the segment at 8.1 liters and 8.4 liters per 100 km (2WD and 4WD with the CVT).

It’s the result of the engine that powers the model, a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder that delivers 147 horsepower and 141 lb-ft of torque. It can be paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

The technical specifications of the Qashqai could be summarized as follows:

Zero Gravity Seating Comfort

And when it comes to comfort, the Qashqai is dominant. The “zero gravity” seats developed by the company, inspired by NASA technology, are the most welcoming in the industry, period; they fight fatigue for us!

The front seats also have a quick heat function, and several other options await you in the Nissan Qashqai interior:

• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Heated leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Leather-upholstered seats
• And much more!

Nissan Qashqai Canada: The Rivals

For their part, the subcompact model’s rivals certainly have their qualities, but they also have flaws that make them less interesting.

For example, the CX-30 is more interesting to drive, but its cargo volume is much smaller. The Hyundai Kona is certainly popular, but it doesn’t present the level of comfort offered by the Qashqai.

Next, is Nissan or Honda better? If we turn to the Honda HR-V, we discover a very generous interior configuration. However, on the highway, the soundproofing of this model is deficient and we can’t wait to get out of the car and give our ears a break. By the way, the Nissan Qashqai price at entry-level is less than this rival.

Finally, a look at the Kia Seltos reveals a product that is also interesting, but when it comes to reliability, it has everything to prove; recalls have been numerous at Kia over the past few years due to engine-related glitches. With the Nissan Qashqai, you have nothing to worry about!

It is the best in its category for all its qualities:

• Its comfort
• Its silence of rolling
• Its cargo volume
• Its reliability

The comparisons could go on and on. Each time, we would come to the same conclusion: for all the work, the Nissan Qashqai Canada remains the best choice in its class!

Along Route 138 on the Côte-Nord, near Pointe-Lebel and Chute-aux-Outardes, your Nissan Charlevoix dealership awaits you with many new and used models. Come by our dealership or browse our online inventory!