Car Review Nissan Qashqai 2020

Review

When I decided to get a 2020 Qashqai, I thought: a solid family crossover, everything as it should be. It looks decent enough, with a higher seating position and better visibility than a standard hatchback. But the more I drive it, the more I realize that expectations and reality don’t quite align.

Let’s start with the transmission. Gear shifts can be… odd. Sometimes it switches smoothly, but other times it feels like it’s hesitating – you accelerate, and the car responds with a delay. As one review put it: apart from the ‘moan-y’ transmission, the Qashqai has some issues with its gearbox.

Noise insulation is average. Once you hit speeds above 62 mph, you start hearing the tires hum and the road rustle. It’s a crossover, sure, but not a premium one, and I expected a bit more. Suspension: fine on smooth roads, but hit a typical British road with cracks or bumps, and the car feels like a grumbling instrument – every pothole, every dip goes ‘thump-thump.’

Electronics: there are minor quirks. For example, the multimedia system took a while to sync with my phone, the rearview camera froze once while parking, and there are creaks in the plastics – small things, but together they give off a vibe of not-quite-Japanese quality, more like a Japanese-but-not-top-tier. On the plus side: the seating position is great, visibility is better than in a sedan, the cabin is roomy enough for two adults and a child, and the trunk suits family needs.

The 2020 Qashqai isn’t a bad car, but it’s not the no-compromise vehicle you’d hope for. If your budget is tight and you want a popular crossover, it’ll do. But if you’re after reliability, comfort, and no hassles, there are better options out there. I’m still weighing whether to accept its quirks or trade it in.