New Qashqai Tow Car

Qashqai66
Qashqai66 Forum Participant Posts: 551
edited November 2016 in Towcars & Towing #1

I am wondering if anyone has a current model Qashqai as a tow car.  We have a 2011 4X4 auto Qashqai and it is the best tow car we have ever had.  I had a test drive this morning in an X-Trail as there is currently a very good Caravan Club discount on it.
 In short, I did not like it and found it nowhere near as fun to drive as our current Qashqai.  Furthermore it is too big for our needs so I am back to the thinking and looking at other cars.  I would love to hear from anyone who tows with a current model
Qashqai.  I am hoping that in 2017 Nissan will bring back the 4X4 auto version with a better sized engine.  Our dealer has information on a new model but says the dealers are the last people to know.

Comments

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2016 #2

    What weight do you intend to tow? I tow a 1500kg MPTLM with a 2005 X-Trail and it has been an excellent tow beast. Not as quick from the lights solo as some due to gear ratios. However I am happy with the compromise

  • Qashqai66
    Qashqai66 Forum Participant Posts: 551
    edited November 2016 #3

    Only 1350 fully laden which is not excessive.  However, for many and various reasons I don't want a car which is much longer than the Qashqai.  The current X-Trail is a foot longer and very much more capacious than we actually need.  I like the look of the
    new Tiguan but it is not inexpensive.

  • DinnyC
    DinnyC Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited November 2016 #4

    We have a 1.5 diesel. We've only recently got into caravaning and so had to get a van to suit the car. This restricted us to smaller vans (we've got a Swift Challenger 480 with an MTPLM of 1273kg which gives a match of 82%). The car tows fine on the flat
    but struggles a bit on hills. Recently we were stuck in a traffic jam on a steep stretch of motorway and the constant stop/start resulted in a worrying smell of burning clutch! We love the car, it could just do with a bit more oomph when towing. If I had known
    I was going to get into caravining I would have got the 1.6d - I think that got tow car of the year a few years back.

  • Qashqai66
    Qashqai66 Forum Participant Posts: 551
    edited November 2016 #5

    Ours is the older one with 2 litre engine 4x4 and auto. It tows like a train. Thanks for your info.  Nissan may be bring out another 2 litre engine.....

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited November 2016 #6

    Ours is the older one with 2 litre engine 4x4 and auto. It tows like a train. Thanks for your info.  Nissan may be bring out another 2 litre engine.....

    The 2.00 should be out by now and looks a decent tow car. The 1600 engine looks a bit short except for lightweight caravans.

  • Qashqai66
    Qashqai66 Forum Participant Posts: 551
    edited November 2016 #7

    Our Nissan dealer told us today that Nissan are still not saying if they will bring out another 2 litre Qashqai as they are doing with the XTRAIL from January. The latter will be a good tow car but too large for us.  I drove a 1.6 X-Trail this morning and
    found it a hugely boring after our Qashqai.

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited November 2016 #8

    Engines have dropped in output over the years quite successfully from say 3.0Ltr to 2.0Ltr including motorhomes but going under 2.0Ltrs seems to be bit of a clff edge.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2016 #9

    I tow 1350Kg with a Kuga, or I did until DVLA started playing silly whatsits with my licence.  Similar size to the Quashqai, give or take a few inches, but slightly heavier, I think.