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What makes you buy a car?

Statistics says, looks are the most important aspect. I think I’d have to agree. I mean the world is very superficial these days – form over substance is the way things are going. With the economy being the way it is now, budget will be sitting high on the priority list also.

Trends play an important part in what’s hot and what’s not. With that said, the compact crossover market that was started by the likes of Nissan's Qashqai over a decade ago and Toyota's RAV4 an additional decade more, are the pioneers in this trend.

This type of car is everything right now. It's so in vogue, it is vogueing better than a Madonna fan when they hear her ‘90’s’ hit on the radio. 

Made popular for good reason – more than being on-trend and good-looking, crossover’s offer a list of practicalities along with highlights that run a mile long. Shortfalls are generally minor, hence the overwhelming success of the crossover category.

Qashqai - ing

Due to popular demand and clever engineering from the Japanese team at Nissan, they produce a cash cow every 62 seconds. That's astounding. And as quickly as they produce them, they are gone and sold to a happy customer.

So, we agree: looks play an important role in a purchasing decision. Well, the new Qashqai is pretty enough without overt styling cues. It has been designed to appeal to many – much like Jennifer Aniston - so there's a tick for that. Its accommodations are plentiful with one of the most flexible boot setups like a yoga guru. Tick. NASA helped design the front seats to protect your spine and to help with blood flow. Smart and comforting – like Mrs. Doubtfire - and the suspension set up has been cleverly designed to combine attributes both for support and driving confidence – like your mum. Collectively, it's a tick for a cosseting drive all round.

The Qashqai is also well appointed without a list of superfluous nonsense. This keeps the price in check while offering exactly what drivers want.

The heart of the Qashqai on the test vehicle was a 1.5 turbo diesel engine. This engine is the pick-of-the-bunch; a compact fuel-efficient gem. Day to day driving is made easy with only a small amount of turbo lag at pull off’s and quick changes to fourth gear, revealing the lag. Once you get used to this small flaw, it is easily overcome while manoeuvring around the 6-speed gearbox which is light to use.

In closing, it is easy to understand the decade-long success of Nissan’s recipe. The Qashqai remains Europe’s most popular crossover, selling 3.3 million units across 137 markets. What does this tell you? If you are thinking about buying a crossover, the Qashqai must be on your top three list when shopping for one.

Plus +

Comfortable ride

Good safety features

Good pricing

Fuel efficient engine

Minus -

Competitors have more interior space.

Turbo lag at low speed.

Pricing

1.2 T Visia R317 900

1.2 T Acenta R349 900

1.2 T Acenta CVT R366 900

1.6 T Acenta R421 900

1.5 DCI Acenta R376 900

1.6 DCI Acenta CVT R429 900

1.6 DCI Acenta All-wheel drive R448 900

The competition 

Hyundai Tucson, KIA Sportage, Toyota RAV4 and VW Tiguan

Service and warranty 

The Qashqai comes standard with a 3 year/90 000km maintenance plan and a 6 year/150 000km warranty. 

My choice

1.5 DCI Acenta R376 900

www.nissan.co.za