Nissan Qashqai Wins Car Of The Year 2014

Over the last few years, SUVs (or Sports Utility Vehicles) have become one of the most popular choices for new car buyers. Drivers love their space, practicality and flexibility and sales of SUVs have boomed in recent years. If you’re looking for a new car there are lots of benefits to an SUV. And, one of the best models you can buy – the Nissan Qashqai – has been awarded What Car? magazine’s 2014 Car of the Year. Keep reading to find out more about why the Qashqai is considered so highly and why an SUV could be the right car for you.

Not only did the new, second generation Nissan Qashqai win the What Car? award for Best SUV but it also beat a range of other well-known models to be named the magazine’s 2014 Car of the Year. The magazine praised the Qashqai’s refinement, saying that it ‘is brilliant at shutting out wind and road noise’. It added that ‘the cabin is roomy enough to keep four six-footers happy, and perceived quality has taken a huge step forward.’

Chas Hallett, editor-in-chief of What Car? said: “The Nissan Qashqai is a great Car of the Year. All the things we loved about the last Qashqai: they’ve taken and polished them even more. It’s better to drive, it’s more refined, it’s got more space for families and it’s got lower running costs.

“And, best of all, it’s great if you’re a private buyer or a company car buyer. The diesel has 99g/km so it won’t be too onerous on company car tax.”

If you’re looking for an alternative to a traditional family hatchback then you may have considered a small SUV or ‘crossover’ vehicle. To compete with the leading hatchbacks an SUV must therefore offer:

- A refined and practical interior
- A comfortable ride and good handling
- Lots of technology and a high standard of equipment
- Low running costs

One of the main benefits of an SUV is that it can give you more space and flexibility. While many models are no larger than other family cars the internal space is bigger. This makes an SUV highly practical and it can give you flexible seating and storage options.

SUVs often boast good boot and storage space. Added storage space is essential, whether you’re making a trip to the shops or you’re heading away on holiday.

And, in the past, SUVs have been seen my some people as being dirty and inefficient. Modern SUVs, however, offer great fuel economy and low running costs.

What Car? magazine’s favourite Qashqai model emits less than 100g/km of CO2 making it cheap to run and a great company car choice. The 1.5 litre diesel version gives a combined fuel economy of a stunning 74.7 miles per gallon and you’ll pay no road tax.

The new Nissan Qashqai is one of the best SUVs around and there are now more than 2 million Qashqais on the road. On awarding it the 2014 Car of the Year award Chas Hallett from What Car? concluded: “All round it’s a great car. Really well-rounded and we think it’s a really well-deserved award winner.”

As well as offering low running costs and Qashqai is also great value for money and there are plenty of superb deals available at Sandicliffe.