Interior Insight: Nissan Qashqai

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Technology Trends

Inside story on the Nissan Qashqai

The Nissan Qashqai, launched in 2007, set off a trend for compact-crossover SUVs, leading to a surge in direct competitors in Europe. This review focuses on the interior technologies and materials used in the third-generation model's face-lifted interior.

Like its predecessors, the styling of the new Qashqai was directed by Nissan Design Europe, based in Paddington, London, while engineering was led by the Nissan Technical Centre Europe, in Cranfield, UK.                                                   

Infotainment

The Qashqai features a 12.3-inch infotainment display screen for satellite navigation, entertainment and vehicle settings, compatible with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. It supports multiple user profiles for personalized settings and includes a Bose Premium sound system with 10 speakers. A large reconfigurable TFT instrumentation cluster displays various information, controlled by a tactile dial on the steering wheel, while a 10.8-inch head-up display projects navigation and driver assistance information onto the windscreen.

Connectivity

The refreshed Qashqai is the first Nissan vehicle in Europe to feature Google built-in within the NissanConnect infotainment system. This includes Google Maps for easy access to favorite locations without a mobile phone and over-the-air updates for current map data. Google Assistant enables voice control for vehicle functions, navigation, and hands-free calls, while drivers can download apps from Google Play for music and podcasts. NissanConnect Services monitor the vehicle, providing alerts for locked doors and open windows, and can immobilize the car in case of theft. Customers with a data plan can also use Amazon Alexa for various tasks.

All models, except the entry-level variants, come with Google-based connectivity, allowing users to sign in with their Google account and eliminating the need for phone pairing. Apple CarPlay is available in both wired and wireless formats across the range, while all e-Power models feature wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, reducing reliance on the factory navigation system.

The Qashqai's central touchscreen manages music and navigation with improved technology. The vehicle offers both USB-A and USB-C sockets for versatile device charging, along with a 15W wireless charging pad standard on all models except the Acenta Premium. However, the wireless charger can be unreliable over bumps, prompting many users to prefer plugging in instead. Additionally, the front storage console includes USB charging ports in the front compartment and rear seat charging-only ports (Type-A and Type-C).

Convenience features

Convenience features comprise tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a multifunction steering wheel, power folding and heated door mirrors, a powered tailgate, powered lumbar support for the driver's seat, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, three rear headrests, a rearview camera, 12V power sockets in the dashboard and luggage area, a heated steering wheel, automatic dual-zone climate control with a pollen filter, a heated windscreen and heated front seats.

Other interior features include driver and front-seat back pockets, front and rear-door bottle holders, rear privacy glass, infrared glazing, a fixed sunroof and white ambient lighting throughout the cabin.

The boot offers a capacity of 504 liters, expandable to 1,422 liters with the rear seats folded flat. It features a flexible luggage board for adjustable shelves and dividers.

Upper grades enhance the interior with Alcantara on the dashboard, door inserts, armrests, console lid and knee pads. New patterned materials adorn the gear selector and the decorative insert between the dashboard and glovebox. Seat trims include black partially quilted premium leather in the top model and quilted synthetic leather with "burnt umber" accents in the second-highest grade. Ambient lighting with 64 color options is available in the N-Connecta, N-Design grades, and higher, enriching the onboard experience.

Lightweighting

The body-in-white uses advanced stamping and welding techniques to enhance strength while reducing weight. The rear hatchback door uses a composite material, saving 2.6 kg. Ultra high strength steel usage has increased by 50%, and structural bonding reinforces the A-, B-, and C-pillars. Aluminum components, including the front and rear doors, fenders, and hood, contribute to a total weight reduction of 21 kg compared to the previous model.

Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)

In the ADAS department, the Qashqai incorporates ProPilot with Navi-link. This updated system can adapt the car's speed according to additional external circumstances: When the car enters a lower-speed limit zone on the highway, the system can read road signs and consider the navigation system’s speed-limit data to slow the car to the appropriate speed. It can also use data from the navigation system to adjust the speed for approaching curves or exit ramps that have a tighter radius. It also communicates with blind spot radars to help intervene with a steering-input correction to help prevent a lane-change maneuver if there is a vehicle in the blind spot zone.

Other upgrades to ProPilot include a “flank protection” warning for urban situations, which alerts the driver of the risk of contact with an object on the side of the vehicle, typically when turning into a supermarket parking space. The new system can also intervene to prevent a collision upon reversing from the space thanks to an upgrade on the existing moving object detection alert, applying the brakes to stop the car if a moving obstacle is detected nearby. ProPilot with Navi-link is available from the mid-level N-Connecta grade.

The upgraded around view monitor (AVM) system now includes a 3D function, allowing drivers to view the vehicle from above and select from eight external camera viewpoints to identify potential hazards. The "invisible hood view" feature shows the front wheel position from behind, aiding maneuvering in tight spaces like multistory car parks. Additionally, AVM assists drivers in safely entering roads with limited visibility using a wide-angle front camera that displays the view on the central screen. The system can store locations with visibility issues in its GPS memory for automatic activation near junctions.

On the road

On the powertrain front, the Qashqai offers all-hybrid engines: a 1.3-litre mild-hybrid with outputs of 138 brake horsepower (bhp) and 156bhp, and the e-Power range extender hybrid with 187 bhp. The more powerful mild-hybrid comes with all-wheel drive and manual or automatic options, while the e-Power uses a 1.5-litre engine to generate electricity for its electric motors. Fuel economy ranges from 44.8 mpg to 54 mpg, and the e-Power delivers smooth power but lacks instant acceleration, taking 7.9 seconds to reach 0-62 mph.

The Nissan Qashqai has been produced by Nissan since 2006, with most of the European volume built at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the UK. Nissan’s compact-crossover SUV is now in its third generation. To learn who supplies what parts, download our Car Cutaway.

S&P Global Mobility’s “How sustainability is driving changes in interior trim materials” offers a detailed analysis of how automakers and suppliers are focusing on increasing use of sustainable materials in vehicle interiors. The report covers key interior trim materials, their major suppliers and original equipment manufacturer customers, as well as initiatives by these companies in the field of increasing use of sustainable interior trim materials.

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