All posts by Macfivenews

Motoring and travel journalist, opinionated gob on a stick
Crossover, Family hatchback, Nissan

Qashqai still has with it takes

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Nissan Qashqai

By Bill McCarthy

When you have been Europe’s best selling crossover it’s inevitable it will be challenging to hang on to that crown.

The Qashqai came from left field and became a best seller in the crossover market, with many brands subsequently following.

In the UK in the first quarter of 2022 it was the third best selling car, rising to top spot in the month of April.

The latest model will have plenty to do with that, featuring upgrades including to engine, suspension and a number of technological changes, as well as being available in both two and four-wheel drive.

Designed in the UK, the latest Qashqai has developed a bolder, more muscular and modern look, although still instantly recognisable as a Qashqai.

It is longer and slightly taller, it still sits high off the ground to give a commanding driving position. It now features a bigger V-design grille which is flanked by slim full headlights, glass roof, privacy glass and roof bar and the option of 19 or 20-inch diamond-cut alloy.

The new 1.3 DIG-T petrol engine Is available with 138 bhp and 156bhp driven here and combined with mild hybrid technology, delivers more power, better economy and lower emissions.

The system extends torque, idle stop, quick restart and coasting stop with the auto or Xdrive version driven here, with improvements to both fuel economy and CO2 output (-4g/km).

It offers lively performance, hitting 60mph, in 9.2 seconds.

Not startlingly rapid, but quick enough for  most needs, and delivering good economy of a claimed, but pretty accurate 43.8mpg. Such is the efficiency of petrol engines these days, that they are delivering near diesel like economy.

The interior of the car, certainly on this model has a real premium model feel, and will set you back over £36k.

But for that money it is packed with high-end kit, including patterned leather seats, comforting ambient lighting and high-end, soft touch finish.

Nissan says attention has been paid to the ergonomic and aesthetic quality of the switchgear and buttons with high quality, tactile feel giving users a sense of confidence and refinement. Well they certainly feel robust and logically placed.

The central nine-inch screen houses the now familiar NissanConnect set services, the app which monitors how the vehicle is performing.

It allows connectivity for smartphones and WiFi and connected services, together with navigation and infotainment. In addition there are USB A and C ports. 

In addition it features 12.3 inch TFT multi-information screen offers a choice of configurable layouts to display navigation, entertainment, traffic or vehicle information, all controlled from a dial switch on the steering wheel.

The interior is roomier than its predecessor with extra legroom in the rear and better head and leg room in the front seats.

It really goes without saying that the Qashqai is a practical beast, pretty much having built its reputation on that premise. This model offers powered hands-free tailgate which opens up to capacity which has increased by 50-litres. The split-folding rear seats offer 16 combinations to accommodate loads of all different shapes and sizes with a capacity of 436 to a maximum of 1,379 litres.

There are also various other cubby holes, side pockets and cupholders for extra practicality.

On the road, the car is a very able performer and while not blisteringly quick offers a good driving experience with uprated suspension offering decent handling, sitting tight on twisty roads and offering a firm, but still comfortable drive, so important in a family car. It only seems unsettled on the very worst roads

All Nissans are packed with safety kit including stability control and full complement of airbags, including the latest central airbag, which deploys from between the two front seats, to prevent the front row occupants from making contact in the event of a side-impact.

Plus, the ProPILOT driver assistance on this model delivers important driver assistance, like monitoring fatigue, adjusting speed in heavy traffic using radar to automatically move the car forward or hammer on the brakes in an emergency situation.

Factfile

Nissan Qashqai  1.3 DIG-T Tekna + auto

Price: £36,125

Mechanical: 156bhp, 1,332cc, four cylinder turbo petrol  engine driving front wheels via Xdrive auto gearbox

Max speed: 124mph

0-60mph: 9.2 seconds

Combined mpg: 43.8

Insurance group: 16E

CO2 emissions: 146g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

Isuzu, Pick-up/4x4

Stylish and practical pick-up

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Isuzu D-Max V-Cross

By Bill McCarthy

When it comes to pick-ups, it’s no longer just how capable the vehicle is off road, although that is pretty vital in most cases.

But these days it’s as much about the catwalk as the dirt track.  I have said before that the Isuzu is an impossibly stylish pick-up and nothing in the latest version has altered my opinion.

Obviously, there are model grades offering different levels of comfort, trim and equipment, not to mention double cab, extended cab, single cab, open top or closed cargo bay.

But the double cab is surely the most appealing of this dual-purpose vehicle with its five seat arrangement and comfort to match most family saloons.

But it’s unusual for a range-topper, like the V-Cross driven here, to be the best selling version of a particular model.

Maybe that is not surprising as it clearly is a dual purpose vehicle, offering off-road ruggedness and impressive load capacity, married to car-like comfort, surprising economy and an attractive purchase price when you take into account standard equipment. This range topper will set you back £33,849 plus VAT.       

Thanks to its upgraded suspension, 3.5t towing capacity, shift-on-the-fly 4WD system with locking rear differential and one-tonne-plus payload, it now offers even more than ever, with high-end interior and plenty of standard equipment.

Clearly its workhorse credentials are self evident. But addressing practical problems, such as boot capacity for family items such as shopping and household goods on this open back version, needs a bit of creativity while still allowing for transporting  the likes of pallets, fence panels or bags of cement.

Netting strapped to lashing points and investing in a metal roll top could be one answer.

It looks the part decked out with gunmetal grey bold new grille and running plates, together with colour-coded door mirrors and bumpers. It also features LED lights, day time running lights and a clever damped tailgate on the open cab.

It sits on snazzy 18-inch six-spoke alloys with tyres, designed for off-road, but more than capable of delivering a reasonably comfortable ride on-road,

The double cab means five are carried in reasonable comfort and major functions are operated via a nine-inch touchscreen, while a 4.2 inch display gives vital driver information. 

Other features include eight speaker sound system, push button starter, auto dimming mirror, dual zone climate control and  multi-function steering wheel.

The roomy interior also features powered and heated, multi adjustable leather-style seats and V-Cross branded mats.

Also included is a raft of safety kit and, importantly for such a long vehicle, rear camera. It  is the only pickup in the UK to have a rear radar fitted as standard on all double cab variants together with rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitor and emergency lane keeping.

The vehicle is powered by a 1.9 litre diesel engine, with auto transmission and on-the-fly capability of selecting four wheel drive. The firm says it is built to endure the harshest conditions, with a 250mm ground clearance and no compromise on vehicle handling and stability.

The 162bhp engine is more than capable of delivering the grunt needed for serious off-road work, while at the same time offering enough pace on road to more than cope with both general and motorway driving. Economy is surprisingly good with a claimed 36-odd mpg seeming pretty much near the mark.

The modified suspension means it can cope with extreme terrains, but does not make you feel seasick when on flat roads. Although you cannot escape some wallow on corners, it is surprisingly agile for such a big beast. 

In addition there is the 125,000 mile/five-year warranty and five-year roadside assistance to offer quite a tempting package.

Factfile

Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Double Cab Auto

Price: £40,549 inc VAT

Mechanical: 162bhp, 1,989cc, four-cylinder diesel engine driving four wheels via six-speed auto gearbox

Max speed: 112mph

0-62mph: 12.7 seconds

Combined mpg: 30.7

Insurance group: 50

CO2 emissions: 241g/km

BIK rating: 37 per cent

Warranty: 5yrs/125,000 miles