Nissan QASHQAI+2 2.0 Tekna CVT 4WD 5dr Car Review - March 2012

Much like the standard Qashqai the ride quality is certainly a big selling point for this car, as it has soft suspension and thick tyres which mean passengers won’t feel the lumps and bumps on the road. The trade-off for such a comfortable ride is that there is a lot of body roll when cornering, but the steering is very stable and responds well offering plenty of grip. The driving position is very good with a fine view of the road ahead and a fully adjustable seat and steering wheel, but rear visibility is limited by thick D pillars.

In terms of the engine performance, the acceleration is fairly good, getting from 0-62mph in a reasonable 11.7 seconds, which isn’t bad for a big car like this. The top speed of 112mph is also plentiful for most drivers, and refinement when driving on the motorway is also very impressive.

To look at, the Qashqai+2 2.0 Tekna CVT 4WD is tidy and fun, with the plastic trim around the bottom of the car making it look as though it is ready for off-road duty. The front end is very nice, and the large air intake and alloy wheels give the car as sporty look. Inside the car the Qashqai+2 has a high quality look, and the dashboard is simple and easy to interpret, with the dials on the centre console being simple and straightforward.

The Tekna level of trim does come with a fair few luxuries, and leather seats are certainly one of the most impressive of these. There is also climate control and cruise control which make long journeys much more comfortable. Satellite navigation, a hands free phone kit and Bluetooth connectivity are also available as standard.

The added practicality of occasionally being able to carry seven people will be a big attraction for many people, with the extra seats primarily suited to carrying children. When the seats aren’t needed, they fold flat to create a large boot which will be the envy of many others, meaning that transporting larger items is fairly straightforward too.

Although the Qashqai+2 hasn’t been submitted to the Euro NCAP safety test, a good range of airbags and driver aids make the Qashqai+2 2.0 Tekna CVT 4WD a safe proposition. Nissans are renowned for their reliability, and the Qashqai+2 is likely to be very reliable too.

With a hefty list price of £26,495, many people will find that the added practicality of the Qashqai+2 2.0 Tekna CVT 4WD simply isn’t enough to justify the extra cost, and it is also more expensive once it is on the road too.

Fuel efficiency isn’t the best with the 2.0 litre engine delivering an average 34.4mpg, which is nowhere near the best in the class. However, positive news for potential owners is that the resale values are good, and insurance costs are fairly reasonable. This package is completed with a three year sixty thousand mile warranty and a three year RAC membership should anything go wrong.