Company car drivers have another reason to look at the Nissan Qashqai. Facing strong competition in the sector that many consider it to have defined, the UK-built crossover has a strong family appeal and impressive practicality for the exterior dimensions.
Untill now, though, other options have been better placed for high mileage motorway drivers.
Qashqai benefits from Leaf technology
We’ve already seen Propilot on the Nissan Leaf, where the semi-autonomous mode can be paired with single-pedal driving. A more traditional approach is retained for the Qashqai, where two pedals retain their traditional functions.
Although most effective in models featuring Xtronic automatic transmission, some level of driving assistance is available for the dCi 130 Tekna and Tekna+ with manual gearbox – where a £495 Drive Assist Pack adds lane keeping, adaptive cruise control and intelligent lane intervention.
With the Qashqai dCi 130 Xtronic, the full Propilot package costs £795 and provides an eyes-on, hands-on mode of autonomous driving. Able to keep the car in the lane, following at a safe distance and assisting with steering, the radar and camera based technology can bring the Qashqai to a halt and restart if stationary for less than 3 seconds, making traffic jams considerably less stressful.
If traffic is stationary for more than 3 seconds, a tap of the resume button or accelerator pedal will restart the system and continue driving.
Qashqai with Propilot prices start from £31,275
Available on Tekna and Tekna+ Xtronic models, the entry level for an (almost) autonomous Qashqai is £31,275.- making this one of the most affordable cars currently available with this technology.
Nissan has also released a special edition Qashqai, the Pilot One Edition SV, featuring Tekna+ equipment plus Propilot and additional exclusive extras:
- Storm White Pearlescent body colour (with metallic and premium metallic options also available)
- Premium Plum Nappa Leather Interior
- Xtronic Sports Pedals
- Chrome Exterior Styling Pack
- ‘Pilot One Edition’ door entry guards and interior badging
The new Pilot One Edition sits at the top of the Qashqai range and is priced from £33,380 – £305 more than the Tekna+ Xtronic, but featuring over £1,500 of added value compared to a Tekna+ specified with the additional features
Qashqai for business – BIK and P11D
Regardless of grade, good deals are available on the Qashqai for private buyers and those running their own cars. Nissan have also worked to reduce the benefit in kind liability for the Qashqai overall, making the range fairly appealing for company car drivers too.
The new Pilot One Edition – with Xtronic automatic transmission, front-wheel drive and Propilot as standard – comes in with a P11D of £33,165 and 122g/km CO2 emissions, resulting in a cost of £160.28 per month for 20% taxpayers and £320.57 for 40%.
