test drives

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By Tim Saunders

When driving to Newquay, Cornwall in the Nissan Qashqai N Design e-power, I am fully expecting to have to refuel for the return journey. But it doesn’t happen… I really am quite surprised at the efficiency of this 1.5-litre SUV. The outbound journey is over 200 miles, taking in mainly motorways like the M27 and M5 and main roads like the demanding A30. Then there’s a lot of pottering about when we get there; down very tight country lanes and a fairly challenging car park at Newquay Harbour. The 30 mile or so return journey to the Eden Project barely registers thanks to my friend the EV button. This technology has really moved up a level in recent years because it is now possible to drive at 60mph in this mode. Obviously the battery loses its charge quicker at this pace than at half that speed but it helps conserve that petrol. Our Cornwall trek takes in well over 550 miles and we return home with the 55 litre fuel tank near empty but still able to cover 55 miles. Bear in mind that it has not been necessary to religiously stick to 56mph in order to achieve this satisfying result both for the environment and the driver’s pocket.

Returning from Cornwall I try to drive as efficiently as possible and discover that the vehicle will drive in EV mode when there is not demanding acceleration. Doing this numerous times throughout the journey allows us to gain over 50 miles in range.

I have enjoyed the 7.9secs nought to 60mph and it has regularly travelled at the national speed limit. There have been occasions where some demanding overtaking has been necessary and it’s a very capable car.

Externally this latest Qashqai is a bit of a cool dude with its striking two tone black and magnetic blue paint job and alloy wheels. Head on it looks like it means business.

Inside the black interior is well put together and hardwearing. We all appreciate the different fabrics such as the suede on the dash and the leather seats. That sizeable panoramic glass roof really allows occupants to enjoy good weather. The air conditioning always helps on a hot day if opening the windows at speed is uncomfortable. The digital stereo struggles to pick up a signal in many parts of Cornwall, which is bothersome but the sat nav is a little gem on occasions. For instance, it picks up mobile speed cameras and alerts the driver. It knows about roadworks and diverts us accordingly. However, on the return journey it forgets about the roadworks that it so expertly manoeuvred us around on the outbound journey. I don’t. And that pleases me because you can’t rely on technology. For your own health. Son Henry (9) finds the AI robot funny. Ask it anything and it will come back with something, often useless. He discovers that if he’s rude to it it tells him to behave himself, which he finds amusing. He asks it about jokes and it responds with some quite funny ones. Sister Heidi (12) wonders how much a teacher earns and asks. It replies with a starting salary. Sister Harriett (14) has been learning about the detrimental effects of AI on the environment in terms of the vast amounts of water used to cool the data centres that each query requires and she informs her siblings in no uncertain terms. So, as far as we can see there isn’t a need for AI in this setting.

The front seats could be a better design because my head and my wife’s feel as if they are pushed too far forward. Now, perhaps this is the optimum driving position but it doesn’t feel comfortable. However, we do arrive at our destination reasonably alert and compos mentis.

By Tim Saunders

Night driving is an excellent way of putting a car through its paces because the roads are clearer – it does also test a driver’s abilities. I get to do this with the third generation Kia Sportage as I return from GuilFest’25 late at night. The roads are clear and it’s so much more fun than the crawl we endure during the day. But you have to have your wits about you, not just second-guessing other motorists who seem even less competent than usual at this time of night but also anticipating any wildlife making its way onto the roads. You don’t want to kill a deer.

Even in economy mode the 1.6-litre engine is responsive and engaging to drive. It’s the ideal vehicle for Britain’s terrible roads because it soaks up the potholes and tackles speed bumps with ease. Outside my son Henry’s school the road has been dug up – yet again - for gas works and a temporary rubber speed bump has been installed. The Kia’s excellent suspension handles this well, too. At GuilFest we need to park in a massive field and have to drive quite a way across to find our space. Although we bump all over the place, it’s great fun and still feels solid when abused like this.

The sat nav could be better. In common with most it tells you to go on the motorway but I want to go the more picturesque back way from Locks Heath to Guildford so bend it to my will by driving to Wickham on to Alton and finally it gets the message. Guidance leaves a little to be desired, telling me to go left or right on occasions when it should be straight ahead. But we get there without too much aggro. Driving on the back roads we spy fields of wildflowers and a variety of surfaces that allow for travelling at all speeds from 30mph up to the national speed limit.

“It feels too large,” says Caroline, who prefers a smaller vehicle. I know what she means but after a while you get used to it and it does provide very capable family transport while looking smart on the outside.

Inside it’s comfortable, equipped with lots of gadgets and most importantly for me a six-speed manual gearbox, which provides that proper traditional driving experience. There’s an electric handbrake and a push button start.

The back of the rear seats can be adjusted, too, which is a nice touch and the boot is massive, especially when the seats are down. It’s really easy to put the seats down, too. All of this means that I can take lots of rubbish to the tip, which is really helpful.

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