Thursday, February 18, 2021

The 2022 Nissan Qashqai is the 187-Horsepower HR-V Rival We Want

Nissan Philippines has a rather thin SUV line-up. While it does have the Terra mid-sized SUV and the X-Trail, it doesn’t have anything smaller at the moment (the Juke has already been officially discontinued). And while rumors abound that the sub-compact Kicks is arriving locally, they could pretty much slot this in too: the 2022 Qashqai.

Just a few hours after Honda unveiled their all-new 2022 HR-V, Nissan has now done the same. The Qashqai is the meat in the Kicks/X-Trail sandwich, and could make for a good rival not just to the HR-V, but to the Corolla Cross, CX-30, and Subaru XV as well.

While the name may come across as unpronounceable by some, the car’s styling is certainly easy on the eye. The trademark V-Motion grille is present, but so is a floating roof design. The athletic and taut design is backed up by available 20-inch alloy wheels and slim LED headlights.

Sinister and aggressive it may be outside, the Qashqai is all about relaxation inside. It features a new seat material that promotes comfort, along with more premium materials. The driver is treated to a 12.3-inch TFT digital display, while passengers get a 9-inch NissanConnect infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connectivity is via both USB-A and USB-C ports.

Powering the Qashqai is a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine with mild-hybrid technology. It comes in two states of tune: 138 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque, and 156 horsepower and 270 Nm of torque, mated to either a 6-speed manual or an Xtronic CVT. An e-Power version with 187 horsepower and 330 Nm of torque will follow soon.

Underpinning the all-new Qashqai is the Alliance’s CMF-C platform with front MacPherson Struts and a rear torsion beam. Using advanced stamping and welding techniques, this compact crossover weighs some 21 kilograms less than the previous generation despite being larger. The tailgate alone, made of composite material, saves around 2.6 kilograms.

The Qashqai also gets Nissan’s ProPilot driver assist technology enabling it to accelerate and brake on a single-lane highway autonomously. It also gets “flank protection” warning for urban situations, forward emergency braking, and intelligent LED headlights.

For now, Nissan Philippines hasn’t indicated any plans on whether they will be bringing in the all-new Qashqai. However, it is available outside of Europe. In the U.S., it’s known as the Rogue Sport, while in ASEAN, it is sold in markets such as Singapore.