When the Nissan Qashqai showed up on the market for 2018, it came to spice up a segment that was already highly prized. The result was interesting for Nissan, as its model was very successful.
However, it was not new, as it was already working elsewhere in the world in the same form. Looking back four years later, we still find an interesting, but aging model. Thus, all the new players that appear on the market represent a threat to it.
And the latest in the running, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos, is a more than real one. Let's see what makes it so intimidating to the Nissan Qashqai.
4 Motion
One of the most interesting things about an SUV is the all-wheel drive system that comes to our aid in the winter. Although every model is offered in a front-wheel drive configuration, it's the four-wheel drive versions that most people ask for.
Nissan offers a system that does the job, but nothing more. At Volkswagen, the 2022 Taos comes with the company's famous 4Motion system, a reference in the category. In the middle of a storm, this is the system you want to use to face the elements.
Power
In the old days, to be fuel efficient, an engine had to be almost anemic. That's kind of the philosophy that dictates things at Nissan as the Qashqai is equipped with a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine that offers 141 horsepower and 147 lb-ft of torque. That's not much.
We don't have this problem with the Volkswagen Taos, which is equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder that offers 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Let's just say that you never run out of power with the Taos, which is not the case with the Qashqai.
Transmission
And what about the difference between the transmissions? With the Nissan model, we get a CVT. We know it's efficient for fuel consumption, but it's boring. With the Taos, traditional automatic transmissions await you; eight speeds with the front-wheel drive model, seven speeds with the all-wheel drive ones.
Consumption
What about fuel economy? You'd think the Qashqai would have an advantage, but it doesn't. With the four-wheel drive models, it's the same; the Qashqai does better in the city, the Taos shines more on the highway.
With the front-wheel drive versions, the Taos has a distinct advantage; 8.6 vs. 9.0 L/100 km in the city, 6.6 vs. 7.3 on the highway, all for an average of 7.6 L/100 km for the Taos, 8.0 L/100 km for the Qashqai.
The drive
Finally, one last point, because we have to stop somewhere. There is a world of difference between the two models behind the wheel. With a Qashqai, you get a generously tuned chassis, so comfort takes precedence over dynamism. With a Taos, you get both, while the smoothness is there, as well as a ride that really lets us have fun with the vehicle.
As you can see, the Taos is in a league of its own compared to the Nissan Qashqai. Come check it out in person with one of our representatives.
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