The second generation of Nissan Qashqai 2 made its debut on the market in 2014. The car has changed significantly compared to its predecessor. It has a completely new body – more spacious and more modern – almost 5 cm longer. The extended +2 variant has been abandoned.
New in Qashqai in relation to the first generation are safety systems such as road sign recognition, warning of driver fatigue, unintentional lane change, blind spot warning, adaptive high beam, parking assistant and 360-degree camera system. Over time, adaptive cruise control and systems responsible for semi-autonomous driving appeared (from 2018) – the ProPilot package.
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Nissan Qashqai 2 (J11) Specs
The car is spacious for four adults. The driver has a good driving position. There is plenty of legroom in the rear and plenty of space in the boot – approx. 410–440 liters depending on version.
This is the best arranged luggage space I know. Thanks to the divided double floor, it offers many possibilities.
The quality of the cabin can be assessed differently. Against the background of Mistubishi ASX, it is a bit worse, but the materials are more pleasant and the interior is not that sad.
Both models, however, stand out from the late versions of the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross, which were made better and nicer. The Japanese three are losing against the background of German competitors.
The car drives confidently and offers good suspension comfort. Support systems work fine, but not all engines are dynamic enough.
Nissan Qashqai 2 (J11) engines and drive
There were a lot of engines – in Europe, all of them were turbocharged. The poor performance is only due to the 1.2 DIG-T gasoline engine with 115 HP. The weaker 1.5 dCi diesel generating 110 HP works more nicely and does not lose your breath.
Over time, the more powerful 1.6 DIG-T petrol engine (163 HP) was introduced to the range, but it was withdrawn in 2018. It was replaced by the 1.3 DIG-T engine, which also replaced the 1.2 engine. This engine was developed in cooperation with Mercedes and generates 140, 158 or 160 hp.
We have an interesting situation in the diesel range. From the beginning, 1.5 dCi (K9 family) with 110 HP and 1.6 dCi (R9) with 130 HP were offered. The latter appeared at the end of the production of the Qashqai I and it is like a natural successor to the 1.5 dCi engine, but the “older” type won with the standards.
From 2018, it was replaced by the modernized 1.5 dCi variant (K9K-872), and a year later a completely new engine from the R – 1.7 dCi family with 150 hp was introduced, which in terms of characteristics is the most pleasant engine of all.
There was another engine variant available, but only outside of Europe (mostly imports from the USA). It is a 2-liter gasoline without supercharging, 144 HP, most often associated with an automatic engine and a 4 × 4 drive.
Although in Europe the Nissan Qashqai was available with four-wheel drive, only a few versions had it. I am talking about 1.6 and 1.7 dCi diesels.
The combination of the automaton and 4 × 4 drive is very rare (mainly 2.0 variants). The all-wheel drive is a Nissan classic with an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch that engages the rear axle.
The automatic transmissions are usually a continuously variable CVT or a dual-clutch transmission coupled to a 1.3 DIG-T engine and very rarely seen in conjunction with a 1.5 dCi (115hp).
Which Nissan Qashqai 2 (J11) engine to choose?
Contrary to appearances, the choice is very difficult. Let’s start with gasoline fans, among which the safest option is version 2.0, but not everyone will like the configuration with the automatic machine and originating from outside the EU.
An alternative that fits well with the car might be the 1.6 DIG-T, but it’s quite fuel-consuming and unlike the 2.0 I wouldn’t necessarily recommend LPG. Although you can, because there are installations with additional injection suitable for it.
Of the two bad ones, the easiest way would be to choose the 1.2 DIG-T variant, which is too weak and a bit troublesome, or the newer 1.3 DIG-T, which only occurs in younger specimens and is not too weak, but little is known about its failure rate. They both smoke little, but really at times 1.2 it just doesn’t go (especially in the mountains or when loaded).
So the diesels fit perfectly with the Qashqai. Each version is correct. For those who are afraid of such an engine, I recommend 1.5 dCi before the 2018 facelift. It is still relatively simple, and the material defect of the bearings has been removed from it.
People expecting more power should opt for 1.6 dCi. The 1.7 dCi remains a mystery, but so far it looks very good, because it is a development of the 1.6. I recommend cautiously to choose the newer 1.5 dCi (115 HP) variant.
In my opinion, the best engine for the Qashqai is the 1.5 dCi diesel offered until 2018. It does not offer great performance, but better than the gasoline 1.2, which also burns less and breaks less often. I advise conservative drivers to look for a 2.0 petrol. After the facelift, 1.5 dCi is also the best choice.
What Common Faults on the Nissan Qashqai 2 (J11)?
- Unfortunately, the Qashqai 2 did not turn out to be a typical Japanese car when it comes to glitches. The 1.2 DIG-T engine and its accessories break the most frequently. Problems with starting or undulating rotation are quite common cases, but less problematic than, for example, a stretching timing chain. The engine suffers from this condition mainly because the oil is changed too infrequently. Oil can also consume, especially the versions from the beginning of production. Leaks are common.
- The 1.6 DIG-T engine is well-designed and it seems that users don’t often complain about it. However, this is due to a small sample – only about 10 percent. cars have this engine. The faults mentioned by users include the emergency lambda probe and problems with the transmission (gearbox and clutch operation).
- Diesels – usually 1.6 dCi – also have their problems. With higher mileage, you can expect the need to replace the timing chain, but the exhaust gas treatment systems (two EGR valves and a DPF filter) and the battery are most likely to fail. A common problem is the inability to start the engine due to a discharged battery.
- 1.5 dCi users have less problems. A well-kept engine with oil does 300,000 mileage without any problems. km without serious defects, but it is worth replacing the timing belt after purchase, and for people who want to drive longer, a good solution is to check or replace the bushings (at approx. 200,000 km). One of the biggest advantages of this engine is the cheap parts compared to the competition.
- At the moment, it is difficult to write anything meaningful about the 1.3 DIG-T and 1.7 dCi engines, while the naturally aspirated 2.0 has been known for years from American models mainly due to one problem – the stretching timing chain. It has direct injection, but there is no problem with LPG assembly. It is profitable because fuel consumption in combination with CVT is always approx. 10 l / 100 km.
- Unfortunately, engines are not the only area susceptible to faults, although it is worth adding here that all, especially DIG-T petrol engines, are exposed to oil leaks.
- There are quality problems with the early model. If an electronic device does not work, it should not surprise the owner. This applies even to such trivial things as opening and closing the car.
- Not infrequently, the lights on the board light up to inform you that the engine is not working properly. It is worth going to an Authorized Service Center once in a while to upload the corrected software. Anyway, after the purchase, a visit to the Dealership should be one of the obligatory points, because Qashqai covered a lot of service actions.
- Overall, the Nissan Qashqai 2 is not a bad car, although French blood cannot be ignored. The car is prone to minor faults, sometimes annoying, but not such that it requires expensive repairs. The greatest risk is with the 1.2 DIG-T engine. The advantage of the car are quite inexpensive spare parts, also available outside the Dealership.
What does the market offer?
On the day the article was prepared, there were 650 ads on the Otomoto website, of which only 200 were diesel. Slightly over 200 cars are models after the last facelift in 2018. There were only about 100 cars with the automatic transmission.
Currently, the cheapest Nissan Qashqai 2 cost just under $11,215. The lowest prices apply to the 1.2 gasoline variant, usually poorly equipped. Diesels start at $11,215 up.
With such a budget, I would still suggest buying the previous generation with a very successful 2.0 diesel or 2.0 petrol. If you want to buy a 5-year-old car, you have to pay about $14,500 to $15,700, and polift (from 2018) start at approx $15,700 to $17,900.
The car is very well liked, so it has a low drop in value. It is also aging slower than the competition from Suzuki or Mitsubishi.
Is the Nissan Qashqai 2 (J11) worth buying?
This model is easiest to compare with direct Japanese competitors such as Mistubishi ASX, Suzuki SX4 S-Cross or French – Renault Kadjar. In my opinion, it looks the best, has the best equipment and is the most pleasant to drive. There can also enjoy a larger selection of engines compared to Suzuki and Mitsubishi, but the petrol ones are much worse and less refined.
The biggest advantage of the Qashqai 2 is actually diesels. They are not only successful and smoke little – they are. In the younger ASX models, finding a diesel is difficult, and in the S-Cross it is a rarity from the beginning of production. Nissan offered diesel from start to finish of Qashqai production.
