Why the Nissan Qashqai is the best compact family car

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From school-runs, to quick weekends away, the #CityProof Nissan Qashqai is the perfect chariot for the modern, versatile family.

The compact SUV combines practicality with style, fuel economy with ample space, and comfort with safety, meaning it can meet the changing demands of different members of the household.

It’s clear why earlier this year, the #CityProof Nissan Qashqai was named winner of the Compact Family Car category at the 4th annual Cars.co.za Consumer Awards. To compete, the vehicle needed to be priced between R300 000 and R400 000, have an anti-lock braking system, electronic stability control, a minimum of four airbags, split rear seats, a service plan and air-conditioning.

The Nissan Qashqai more than excelled in each of these categories.

School-run specialist

The #CityProof Nissan Qashqai is roomy enough to accommodate a family of two adults and two teenage children or three smaller kids comfortably.

There is ample boot storage space to lug school bags back and forth every day, as well as large instruments or hockey sticks for extra-mural activities. And if you are transporting something larger, the 430-litre boot increases to 680 litres with the rear seats folded down.

But more importantly, it has a host of safety features that protects those you love the most as they go about their lives. The Nissan Qashqai 1.2 Turbo Acenta Auto, the model that won the category, has six airbags and Isofix child seat anchors, as well as active driver support systems.

It also has stability control, brake assist, and electronic brake distribution. And the Qashqai has a 5-star EuroNCAP rating. That’s thanks in part to NIM features like forward emergency brake, blind spot intervention, cross traffic alert and forward collision warning that make this ride all the more safe for the family.

Comfortable traffic dodger

When making the investment in a vehicle that will be transporting everyone in the family every day, you want to know that those daily rides will be as comfortable as possible.

The Qashqai’s ride, handling and steering have been improved in the 2018 version to incorporate customer feedback, resulting in sublime ride comfort and a calmer body motion.

The dampers have been retuned, the anti-roll bar stiffness has been increased to maintain handling performance and, of course, the NIM Active Ride Control System reduces body motion while going over large bumps.

Significant improvements have been made throughout the new Qashqai to improve noise, vibration and harshness levels and they include more sound insulation material, additional sealing and the rear door glass is thicker to improve rear passenger experience. There is also less engine noise thanks to powertrain calibration improvements.

Weekend getaway machine

Modern family life is full and exciting and the car they choose should be able to meet more than just the every day school run.

The #CityProof Nissan Qashqai provides a roomy experience with a deep glovebox and multiple cupholders so that everyone’s snacks are in reach on long road trips. The combined fuel consumption is 6.2 L/100 km paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), meaning that the Qashqai will get you there for less.

Driver and passengers will also be entertained for hours as there is an all-new seven-speaker BOSE Premium sound system with tweeters, woofers and a digital amplifier in the compact family car in the Tekna model. This means you can blast your favourite sing-alongs all the way to the destination and not compromise on sound quality.

The Qashqai is backed up by Nissan Assured including 24-hour roadside assistance and has a class-leading 6-year/150,000km warranty, and a comprehensive 3-year/90,000km service plan. Since the first Nissan Qashqai was launched in 2007, 3.5-million units have been sold globally.

Pricing for the Nissan Qashqai starts at R351 900. Contact your nearest Nissan dealership to book a test drive or find out more information at www.nissan.co.za.