Nissan has Car Showroom locked-in the sample the all-new Qashqai lineup at the national media preview in Brisbane on 14 July but ahead of that has released some preliminary details.
Not the least of which is the super-sharp prices which see the comprehensively-equipped, British-built mid-size SUV start from just $25,850.
It’s all in the name of course – the Qashqai has always been known as the Qasqhai in major markets, except here where it was called the Dualis (until now when it switches to wear the same badge it always has overseas). So this is either Nissan Australia’s Dualis replacement or the all-new Nissan Dualis…except it’s called the Qashqai.
Straight-forward then. No wonder they got Pulsar confused with Tiida for a few years.
And there is a bit of a twist in model names too…so you’d best continue paying attention. Nissan Qashqai petrol models employ the familiar Nissan grades (entry-level ST and range-topping Ti) but the diesel variants switch to entry-level TS and range-topping TL. Why the difference when specs are the same? We don’t know either.
Petrol power comes from Nissan’s 106kW/200Nm 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine code-named the MR20. Drive is via either a six-speed manual or Nissan’s Xtronic CVT automatic.
The diesel is Nissan’s R9M – a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel delivering 96kW/320Nm. There is no manual diesel version with drive delivered exclusively via the Xtronic CVT.
Towing capacity is 1200kgs for the petrol automatic Nissan Qashqai or 1400kgs for all other models.
As you’d expect from a vehicle which is the mainstay of Nissan’s sales in Britain and Continental Europe, equipment levels in the Qashqai don’t short-change.
Standard inclusions across the range are LED DRLs, hill start assist, adjustable steering modes, electric park brake and NissanConnect.
Range-topping Ti petrol and TL diesel variants add intelligent park assist (parallel or reverse), blind spot warning, around-view monitor, lane departure warning and LED headlights.
All-new Nissan Qashqai joins the all-new X-TRAIL in riding on the latest Nissan-Renault common module family (CMF) platform.
The full lineup is
Petrol
ST 6-speed manual $25,850
ST CVT $28,490
Ti 6-speed manual $32,490
Ti CVT $34,990
Diesel
TS $33,200
TL $37,990
Full details when we get behind the wheel and enjoy a day in the warm Queensland winter on 14 July.
