Good to drive, but there's a problem! (Nissan Qashqai ST+ 2023 review)

Detailed review and test of the 2023 Nissan Qashqai in ST+ trim, including 1.3-litre turbo engine, CVT automatic, interior, handling and price.

The Nissan Qashqai has landed in Australia and we’ve been spending time with the reasonably affordable ST+ variant, which is good to drive but presents as slightly downmarket with its plastic steering wheel.

If Nissan can fix that touch then this trim of the Qashqai small SUV will be more competitive. Servicing costs are also high.

Time codes:
0:00 - Intro
0:18 - Pricing
0:30 - Styling
1:05 - Interior
3:28 - Back seats
4:47 - Boot space
5:36 - Running costs
6:54 - Driving dynamics
11:44 - Verdict

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[andrewvasta]

Agree with the review. Plastic steering wheels are nasty at $40k. Buyers deserve more.

[timothydoyle]

We're activly considering the ST+. Had one as a loan car while ours was in for a service a few days ago. The HR13DDT feels responsive with the CVT. Peak torque comes on early and the CVT keeps it in the power band nicely. Doesn't rev out like the older MR20DE & CVT did in the Dualis. Have been considering CX-30, Kona and Sportage/Seltos, and the Qashqai seems to tick more boxes for the price point, including Wireless CarPlay, LED, cabin space and power. Nighttime driving is an unknown quantity. I wish there was more reviews on the lights for country drivers.

[DavidSmith-ehim]

I've driven a Maxima with a cvt for 17 years. I've never had a problem.

[sneakyfoz]

I have 2004 Forester with a leather steering wheel, 20 years older than this, the last car I owned back in the day with a plastic steering wheel was 2005 Hyundai Getz, even in the Getz it was hideous, bizarre of Nissan to cut a cost there considering its the only part in the car that is being handled 100% of the time.

[blazedkermit]

For some reason, if you do end up buying a Qashqai, just buy the lowest spec. Get a steering wrap and aftermarket android auto dongle. All together AUD 200 tops, problems solved.

[johnpalmer]

I was driving my FIL's AU Falcon around today. I thought about the plastic wheel zero times, non issue for me. Hard to tell from this vid, but looked like qashqai cente console might have padding where your knee rests. This actually matters to me.

[stephengrainger]

Hi Tom. Thanks for another great review.

[_petar]

Here in a small EU country I got this car for around 36k euro all options included which neither VW, nor korean cars offer at the moment for such a price.

[JayGo]

I ended up upgrading the steering wheel of my previous car ( Holden Astra ah base model) to an OEM top spec leather wrapped version by myself

It felt goldilockly goldilocky at that moment onwards 😂

After all, it is a piece of equipment you will be touching 99% of the time while using the car. It is justifiable for the upgrade.

Nissan, you shouldn't have, for a level 2 trim model 😅

[AntonDanilchenko]

What alternative to this car? In Europe it seems the car with all security systems and seems winning because of this. But maybe I missed some cool competitive model? Tekna trim has sun roof and lots of tech.

[lovingCarz]

Not only is the plastic steering wheel a problem but also the refrigerator like roof lamps nissan use in its cars makes it look cheap.

[whatthe]

Thanks Tom you nailed it again. I had high hopes for the Q but the rear seat for adult friends was a hard fail. Passed.

[DOUGALUS]

I test drove the Ti which was pretty good. One oddity was when cruise control was switched on the digital speedo was cancelled.

[UKArtlover]

Having thought about all that “ space saver spare” business, I have an X3 with a squirty bottle for emergencies and tbh would I really want to be jacking up a large car like that on the side of the road and replacing the tyre when the breakdown guys would do it so actually a squirty is safer and punctures happen so rarely these days also.. anyway just my 10c or p in UK :)

[candiscayona]

Have the 2nd level version 6 mths in. I noticed the car starts loud in the morning. Noticed this about 2 mths in. Is this normal. It starts loud and then evens out to a hum after about 1 min.

[aaaaplay]

I feel the same way about auto dimming mirrors as Tom does about plastic steering wheels.

[davidarter]

Good review, Tom. My Aunt has owned the previous model for two years and absolutely loves it. I thought lasting steering wheels went out with XE Falcons!

[BomberFletch]

Personally, I like the fact that there is greater model differentiation, and I'd say there should be even more differences between base and top spec, so it's clearer where your money went. I'd always opt for the top spec if I can, and for that money, I want the top spec to have some very obvious differences in spec to even the model below, let alone the base model.

Bring back the proper poverty spec, I'd say, with window winders, no power steering, no air cond, steel wheels and unpainted plastic bumpers, acres of hard plastic in the interior.

[noeljohns]

Harder plastics lower in the cabin can be overlooked, you’d be reminded of the cost cutting every time you touch the nasty, plasticky wheel.

[Odesos]

O_o do Australia gets differenet Qashqai than Europe because it has butter smooth ride even with the 19" ... the Kamiq compared to it rides super firm too O_o