Nissan QASHQAI 1.6 Acenta 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The Qashqai’s 1.6 litre, 4-cylinder, 16V petrol engine produces a moderate 115 bhp of power with 117 lb-ft of torque and there are a choice of four other engines available for those who prefer a bit more power behind their drive.

The strong suspension deals easily with bumpy and uneven surfaces, resulting in a smooth and comfortable ride and although there is plenty of body lean during corners the steering is responsive and sharp.

The Qashqai is extremely refined, the 1.6 litre engine is especially quiet. Wind and road noise is also practically non-existent although naturally there is more disruption at higher speeds and on motorways.

In terms of actual performance, the engine propels the car along at a reasonable speed with the model taking 11.9 seconds to travel from 0-62 mph. A maximum speed of 113 mph complements this and although other models may offer better performance it is likely to be at the expense of economy and refinement.

The Qashqai has a well-crafted exterior. Inside the cabin the plastics are a little cheap but the build quality is top notch. All Qashqais are generously equipped. Entry-level Visia models come with alloy wheels, four electric windows, electric mirrors, a CD player and Bluetooth connectivity.

Acenta trim offers climate control, a CD changer, parking sensors, cruise control, and automatic headlamps and wipers and whilst the N-Tec and Tekna offer higher specifications than this the higher purchase price is not justified by the additional features.

The Qashqai seats four comfortably, but room is tight with five people meaning the central rear seat is only really suitable for children. The rear headroom does not match some rivals but the boot is large with 410 litres of space available with the seats up and 860 litres when the seats are down.

The car features an impressive safety kit that includes six airbags, stability control and active front head restraints to reduce whiplash. The car comes with an immobiliser to deter thieves. Reliability should not be an issue either as Nissan have an impeccable record in this department. The Qashqai finished in the top 40 overall in the 2011 JD Power customer satisfaction survey.

The car comes with a three-year warranty or 60,000 miles. It has low running costs and comes under the low-cost road tax band F. It incurs a low insurance premium coming under the insurance bracket of 17. It has good fuel economy and respectable green credentials with a Euro 5 emissions rating and a carbon footprint of 144 g/km.

The Qashqai is priced at £17,995, which considerably cheaper than the Volvo XC60 and slightly less than the Peugeot 3008. All Qashqais are well-equipped and this model could be seen as offering the best value for money for those who want basic equipment with a few choice extras.

Its fuel economy is good and consistent with the rest of the range, as are its carbon dioxide emissions. It has low running costs and is amongst the cheapest cars in the range to insure.

Reliability is excellent and resale values are high. In terms of value for money, the 1.6 dCi Acenta is the best option as it has the most impressive engine in the range combined with a great level of in-car kit.