2018 Nissan Qashqai SL (Rogue Sport)
It’s my third time with the Qashqai. I had tested the 2017 model and also the manual transmission version of the 2018 model. This week I’m checking out the 2018 Qashqai SL trim. This competes with vehicles like Mazda’s CX3, and Honda’s HRV.
Disclosure: Nissan Canada & JS Auto provided me with the 2018 Nissan Qashqai SL (Rogue Sport) for a week to test drive, and photograph. All photos in this blog post was taken by me.
ACCELERATION: 7.5/10
141 hp @ 6,000 rpm / 147 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder
Continuously Variable Transmission
9.5 seconds 0-100 km/hr
This is pretty slow but in line with other cars in it’s segment. The HRV, CH-R, and Crosstrek are also 9.5 seconds for 0-100 km times.
BRAKING: 8/10
Braking distance is average
HANDLING: 7/10
Feels more engaging than the HRV but not as good as the CX3.
Body roll is well controlled
RIDE: 8.25/10
Suspensions is on the softer side
ECONOMY: 6.5/10
25/32/28 - City/Highway/Combined (FWD)
24/30/27 - City/Highway/Combined (AWD)
Oddly for a smaller engine and car, the fuel economy is a bit disappointing.
CABIN NOISE: 8.5/10
Cabin noise is actually pretty good with road and wind noise. If you’re having to take over another vehicle you’ll end up hearing quite a bit of engine noise.
EXTERIOR: 9/10
Design language is very similar to the popular Rogue. It’s good for those who want something a bit more compact.
INTERIOR FOR DRIVER: 8.5/10
The compact crossover segment usually means cheap but the front driver seats are fairly comfortable thanks to the amount of padding it has. The overall space in wider thanks to it’s larger dimensions.
INTERIOR FOR PASSENGERS: 9/10
Rear seats are usually not practical in this segment but with the seats all the way back there’s still leg room without touching the seats for me. We also have a good amount of head room too!
INTERIOR STORAGE: 7.75/10
Has above average cargo capacity.
Like the divider in the trunk to help organise cargo
INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM: 6/10
For a new car in the North American line up it would have been nice if they also redesigned the infotainment with it’s launch. We’ll need to wait for Nissan’s partnership with google to overhaul the system which will be out in a the future.
OVERALL IMPRESSION OF THE 2018 Nissan qashqai:
Nissan knows a thing about building crossovers. I don’t think I have come across another brand that has so many vehicles in their crossover line up! (Kicks, Qashqai, Rogue, Murano, Pathfinder, Armada) Without a doubt it is still one of my top picks in the affordable compact crossover segment for a vehicle starting at 20 K CAD.
The Qashqai falls inbetween categories since it’s bigger than all cars in the compact crossover segment, but smaller than crossovers. This is perfect for someone like me who finds most compact crossovers are too small, and the average crossover feels a bit big. Drivers and passengers will be happy with the interior leg and headroom in this vehicle. The Qashqai is very easy to live with. This is going to check a lot of boxes for most families.
