The Qashqai is certainly one of the bigger cars in the small SUV class.There might be four models, but there are three specification levels. The ST has cloth trim, cruise control, air-conditioning, some fake leather bits and pieces, reversing camera, halogen headlights, four speaker stereo and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Pros Big interior Excellent build quality Comfortable ride
Cons Interior missing some tech toys Diesel servicing costs Fuel consumption high (no stop-start to reduce it)
This is the facelifted Nissan Qashqai, which has been unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. More than 230,000 examples of the Qashqai were sold in Europe in 2016, but that hasn’t stopped Nissan from giving the its family SUV a thorough overhaul. The headline change is the addition of autonomous driving tech called ProPILOT; by the end of the year, the Qashqai will have the ability to steer, accelerate and brake itself in a single lane on motorways. Nissan can’t yet say whether or not this will be standard on top trim levels, however. Nissan claims higher-quality materials give the SUV’s cabin a more premium feel. Visible changes include a new flat-bottomed multifunction steering wheel and a fresh user interface for the infotainment system. And a new range-topping Tekna+ grade has been added, bringing luxuries such as 3D-effect quilted leather upholstery.
The new Qashqai features modifications to the suspension and steering to improve comfort, while new insulating materials are claimed to make it more refined. No changes have been made to the range of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, however, so buyers can choose from an entry-level 113bhp 1.2-litre petrol, a 161bhp 1.6-litre petrol, and 1.5 or 1.6-litre diesels. The 1.5 dCi 110 should be the cheapest to run, with CO2 emissions of 99g/km.
The 2018 Infiniti QX30 stands apart from the crowd based on its styling, but it’s also worth considering for its zippy handling.
Pros Stand-out style Comfortable, refined interior Handles well Lots of trim levels
Cons Tight inside Twitchy throttle feel Styling overwrought to some Expensive with options
The 2018 Infiniti QX30 ranked #4 in Luxury Subcompact SUVs. Currently the Infiniti QX30 has a score of 7.8 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 14 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Handsome cabin with high-grade materials Lots of features for a low price Longer warranty than rivals
Cons Small cargo area Poor rearward visibility
If you've landed on the Infiniti QX30 as your next vehicle, we recommend the Premium AWD trim. It not only comes with a number of great features, but it also offers the Technology package that helps to alleviate the QX30's blind spots.
PROS Strong acceleration and sharp handling High-quality interior materials Powerful and confident brakes Interior controls are easy to locate and use
CONS Less usable cargo space than its competitors Interior quarters are cramped, especially for rear passengers Drive modes are either laggy or frenetic Ride comfort is compromised by the sporty suspension
