Is a diesel Nissan Qashqai a good replacement for our Golf?

Hi we are looking at a Nissan Qashqai 1.5 Visia dCi diesel. I have never had a diesel car and have had very trustworthy Golfs to date. We are not car people but want a change that is not going to break the bank. My main concern is the diesel issue as we are Dublin based.

Sinead Oboyle (Dublin)

Jul 2012 Filed under: choosing new car

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Expert answer

Hi Sinead,

Before tackling the diesel issue, the Nissan Qashqai is a fine car. It's a little bigger than the Golf and feels it because of the higher driving position and larger boot. In general it has proved to be a reliable car with only a few minor issues cropping up.

The 1.5 dCi diesel is a good choice of engine, though if you really do stick to Dublin and its environs it may be worth considering the cheaper 1.6-litre petrol instead. It's a shame Nissan doesn't currently have a smaller capacity turbocharged alternative, as that would be a great option. The diesel car will be more economical for sure.

Hope that helps.

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Adviser
@Shane_O_D