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CAROLINE GETS MOTORING Bunclody native Caroline Kidd brings us reviews of the latest new cars to arrive in Ireland. Caroline is the founder and editor of the online automotive magazine Changing Lanes and a jury member for Irish Car of the Year. Find out more about her editorial and commercial copywriting services at
www.changinglanes.ie
NISSAN QASHQAI The Nissan Qashqai is back. The Qashqai started the trend for crossovers and rose to fame in Ireland, for a time Ireland's bestselling car and a former Irish Car of the Year. Now in its third generation, the Nissan Qashqai has grown up. More visually imposing than the previous generation of the car, it has the kerb appeal of a top SUV. Following on from the 2020 launch of the all-new Nissan Juke, the new Qashqai translates Nissan's new design language and technology to the family SUV segment with great success. Pricing kicks off from €30,500 for the range, with all models powered from launch by a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine
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with mild hybrid technology. Inside the Qashqai benefits from a new interior that feels a lot more modern than the previous generation of the car. The quality of the materials and the fit and finish is high for a rock solid feel required of a family car. Qashqai gets a suitable digital upgrade too with a digital instrument panel for the driver and a slick looking infotainment screen that's smartphone ready. Standard equipment includes LED headlights, auto headlights with high beam assist, rear parking sensors, 8" infotainment screen and wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Safety features include blind spot intervention, traffic sign recog-
nition, Intelligent Cruise Control, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, and Intelligent Forward Emergency Braking. The SV Premium model on test (from €37,395) includes a wireless phone charger, 9” touchscreen, 18" alloys, panoramic glass roof, rear view camera and rear privacy glass. The Qashqai has grown in stature, which benefits passenger space too. The new car is a bit wider and has a longer wheelbase than the car it replaces, with good sized footwells in the rear as a result. It feels more spacious inside than the previous Qashqai. There's also 50 more litres of boot space and the boot has a number of clever features to boost practicality like a
