2009 Nissan Qashqai

The all-new weirdly-named Qashqai is built on Nissan's new "C" platform, providing high body stiffness with reduced body weight. The Qashqai offers a choice of 2WD and full-time 4WD with a single underpowered 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine mated to an advanced CVT transmission. The fancy interior seats five, and includes features such as intelligent key, power windows and mirrors, rear 60/40 split-fold bench seat, cloth upholstery, automatic headlights and wipers, and xenon headlights. Also available are steering wheel-mounted controls, cruise control, a CD audio system with six speakers and 6-disc CD changer, auto air-conditioning with dual zone temperature control and a Bluetooth hands-free phone system. While it looks like a 4WD, the poseur 2WD model should prove popular as a hatchback alternative, considering it does not offer much more cargo space than a standard hatchback anyway. Aside from the strong bodyshell, safety features include stability control and... Read More