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I haven’t done one of these in a while, so new readers please note: I am not a motoring journalist; I’m just a girl who drives cars. So if you’re looking to get specs and a lot of waffle on engine size and torque, don’t waste your time here.
What I thought:
I don’t know what it is but when I think Nissan I think: boring. So when I first clapped eyes on the Qashqai car I was pleasantly surprised. It has a rather sporty look, don’t ask me why – I think it might have something to do with the grooves in the bonnet and the fierce looking headlights? – but I LIKE it. Hell, even Jeremy Clarkson thinks it isn’t boring. “A family hatch made butch” is what he called it I think.
The inside is all done in this soft touch finish so the dash, steering wheel, door handles etc are positively creamy to the touch.
This car drives incredibly smoothly (and quietly!) – I think it has something to do with independent suspension, but either way, it drives like a luxury vehicle. It has a 2litre CVT engine (it’s one of those automatic cross-over jobbies) and although I don’t think it’s actually slower than conventional auto-transmission is does have a very languid feel to it.
The electric power steering adds to the easy driving pleasure and makes parking a treat even though it is a big car. It’s very spacious inside and the seats and stuff are somewhat adjustable so the space is versatile.
Interesting fact:
I’ve recently moved to a new house and my psycho neighbour, who had decided that I had parked too close to her gate (not in front of her gate, mind. Just too close to it) deflated my tire. Silly cow.
As I’m not in the habit of walking around my car to do all the K 53 checks I only realised that something was wrong a few of blocks down the road. (At this time I did not know about psycho bitch from hell and thought I had a puncture). Afraid of being harassed (I was a woman, driving alone, at night) I pulled into the parking lot of my husband’s work. Said husband was sadly away on business so I decided to try my hand at changing the tire. All by myself. I am woman and all that.
Long story short: I nearly threw my back out. Getting the spare tire out of the boot (where it’s very neatly and cleverly packed away) was very difficult. Talk about heavy! And I am not a small woman. Same with lifting the busted tire off the rim and replacing the new one. If you’re not genetically strong or you don’t work out you are screwed. The rest of the operation went smoothly, so kudos there.
Verdict:
If you’re looking for a large, family vehicle with all the mod cons and luxury you need, this is your baby.
Are you sold? Do you drive one already? Tell us what you think in the box below
What I thought:
I don’t know what it is but when I think Nissan I think: boring. So when I first clapped eyes on the Qashqai car I was pleasantly surprised. It has a rather sporty look, don’t ask me why – I think it might have something to do with the grooves in the bonnet and the fierce looking headlights? – but I LIKE it. Hell, even Jeremy Clarkson thinks it isn’t boring. “A family hatch made butch” is what he called it I think.
The inside is all done in this soft touch finish so the dash, steering wheel, door handles etc are positively creamy to the touch.
This car drives incredibly smoothly (and quietly!) – I think it has something to do with independent suspension, but either way, it drives like a luxury vehicle. It has a 2litre CVT engine (it’s one of those automatic cross-over jobbies) and although I don’t think it’s actually slower than conventional auto-transmission is does have a very languid feel to it.
The electric power steering adds to the easy driving pleasure and makes parking a treat even though it is a big car. It’s very spacious inside and the seats and stuff are somewhat adjustable so the space is versatile.
Interesting fact:
I’ve recently moved to a new house and my psycho neighbour, who had decided that I had parked too close to her gate (not in front of her gate, mind. Just too close to it) deflated my tire. Silly cow.
As I’m not in the habit of walking around my car to do all the K 53 checks I only realised that something was wrong a few of blocks down the road. (At this time I did not know about psycho bitch from hell and thought I had a puncture). Afraid of being harassed (I was a woman, driving alone, at night) I pulled into the parking lot of my husband’s work. Said husband was sadly away on business so I decided to try my hand at changing the tire. All by myself. I am woman and all that.
Long story short: I nearly threw my back out. Getting the spare tire out of the boot (where it’s very neatly and cleverly packed away) was very difficult. Talk about heavy! And I am not a small woman. Same with lifting the busted tire off the rim and replacing the new one. If you’re not genetically strong or you don’t work out you are screwed. The rest of the operation went smoothly, so kudos there.
Verdict:
If you’re looking for a large, family vehicle with all the mod cons and luxury you need, this is your baby.
Are you sold? Do you drive one already? Tell us what you think in the box below
