Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi 110 N-Connecta 2017 first drive

The dCi 110, which is the entry-level diesel engine, has been tweaked to offer a smoother power delivery. Although more refined, it remains a little underpowered in overtaking situations - you’ll need a gearchange or two to prompt real oomph out of it. 

Still, Nissan’s tweaks also mean that there’s little to no vibration through the steering wheel from the engine, while the steering is sharp and as precise as you’d hope for in a car of the Qashqai’s heft. The most notable quibble is the steering’s adaptation to different driving styles; at low speed, it’s a bit too light and makes the car feel less poised and controlled than it deserves, although it does make tight urban car parks easier this way. At other speeds, though, it’s inoffensive in the absolute, and Nissan has tweaked the weighting to be heavier around the centre for a greater sense of control. You can feel the effect of this. 

You’ll also feel the effect of changing the car’s steering mode from Normal to Sport. Both settings are usable enough, although a slightly heavier steering mode does not a sports car make, nor even a sporty SUV. For the first part, a sportier SUV wouldn’t return a claimed 74.3mpg as the Qashqai does - albeit about 10mpg less than this realistically, according to the readout on the car’s trip computer.

Under the skin, the Qashqai now has a stiffer anti-roll bar, despite being softer in its shocks and dampers. It takes a few well-placed bumps at high speed, or a particularly mottled road at lower speeds, to cause any moderate disturbance. The Qashqai’s handling betrays its lofty driving position, always feeling stable and planted, but around faster corners, there’s no escaping a bit of body roll. 

The 1.5 dCi seems to blend a fairly expected level of equipment with solid build quality, remarkable refinement and a competitive price. Little wonder that it will be so popular. 

Those after more vigour should go for the 1.6-litre dCi 130. In 110 spec, the Qashqai is out-accelerated by the Dacia Sandero with the 90bhp version of this engine. 

Behind the soft edges and comfortable suspension, though, lies a ferocious ambition from Nissan to impress customers away from the much-lauded Seat Ateca, the name of which has become almost impossible to say without a “the Nissan Qashqai-beating” prefix. If they’ve not done it, it’s jolly close.