Nissan Qashqai (2014 - 2021) 1.5 dCi Tekna 5d Owner Review

Recently purchased a 3yr old 1.5dci Tekna with a panormaic roof, leather heated seats, park assist, 360 degree camera etc... This model has the 110bhp frugal engine in the range and whilst it is no racing car it is plenty powerful for around town driving and a motorway commute. Before this I had a 2011 Volvo XC60 D5, 2.4L diesel with 202bhp and 440nm of torque, and no the Qashqai can't compare to how that performs on the motorway, but the Qashqai is more nimble off the line, better to drive around town and more frugal, as well as benefitting from £30 tax per year on the 66 model, it's not a bad car on the motorway, it does require a little more forward planning to overtake but it's generally not a stressful drive so long as you're not treating it like it's a 2 litre german diesel saloon! The Qashqai's 1.5dci is by no means a poorly performing engine but is designed for the best mpg and lowest emissions so performance compromises are inevitable, drive it with a relaxed attitude and it will reward you. The Qashqai is comfortable and easy to drive, the switchgear and instruments are positive and easy to read, the buttons are all in sensible places and it seems quite well bolted together, the level of kit in the Tekna model is impressive and it will take some time to get to grips with all the various driver aids. My only complaint, and this isn't specfic to the Qashqai but many other cars these days, is having to use the touch screen exclusively for various functions such as browsing music folders on the USB stick or using the radio or certain Nav functions. I could control these from the steering wheel on the Volvo and it was much easier and safer than trying to hit the right part of the large touch screen whilst driving. So far I'm happy with the Qashqai and the performance, time will tell how reliable it is.