The Nissan Qashqai made a very good impression when it arrived on the market in 2018. Nissan delivered an interesting model at a good price. It sold well. However, the model was already rolling in Europe in the same form, so four years later, it has taken a serious hit.
This easily puts it behind its rivals, including the new Volkswagen Taos, which was introduced last year. The latter looks modern, which is a strong contrast to Nissan's proposal.
Let's take a look at some of the elements where the Volkswagen Taos shows us that it belongs in the major leagues while the Nissan Qashqai proves that it is still in the minors.
The space
When the Qashqai first arrived on the market, it impressed with a very spacious interior and generous storage space. Of course, the competition measures these elements and when they can, they offer more to consumers. That's what Volkswagen did with its Taos, making it one of the largest in the subcompact SUV segment.
Here's what it looks like in concrete terms. With the Qashqai, you get 566 liters of space behind the second row of seats and 1,730 liters when the second seat is folded. Honestly, these are still excellent numbers for this class. Only Volkswagen found a way to offer more; a total of 790 liters behind the second row, then 1866 liters behind the first.
An engine that responds
With any vehicle, it's so nice to get a crisp response when you step on the gas. It's not about speeding or being illegal on the road, it's about safety. With the Nissan Qashqai, we're left with a 4-cylinder liter mill that offers only 141 horsepower and 147 pound-feet of torque. That's enough for daily commuting, but in an emergency situation that requires power, it falls short.
With the 2022 Volkswagen Taos, you don't have to worry about that, as the 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine up front offers 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Need I tell you where the best performance is?
What's more, capacity is channeled through traditional transmissions at Volkswagen, seven-speed automatic with the front-wheel drive model, eight-speed automatic with the all-wheel drive. At Nissan, the CVT is everywhere, with its qualities, but mostly its shortcomings.
Driving and all-wheel drive
Finally, when it comes to the driving experience, we have to give the edge to the Volkswagen Taos. The reason is quite simple: it benefits from a solid chassis, as only Volkswagen is capable of concocting. This means that you can shuffle the 2022 Taos around without ever having to worry about slipping. This SUV is really fun to drive. With the Qashqai, on the other hand, you get an experience that emphasizes comfort, it's true, but the suspension work is softer and the overall experience is less pleasant.
Then there's the all-wheel drive. Nissan offers a four-wheel drive system that is effective, but not revolutionary. At Volkswagen, we get the 4Motion approach, a proven system derived from Audi's famous quattro all-wheel drive system; it's hard to ask for more.
We can tell you, in the middle of a storm, it's more reassuring to be behind the wheel of a Taos than any other model in its class.
Come and discover the Taos in our dealership and take a test drive. You'll discover a model far ahead of its rivals.
5 Major Tech Upgrades in the 2025 VW Tiguan
The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan introduces several technological breakthroughs. This next-generation SUV demonstrates significant advancement in digital integration, user experience, and connectivity. The New Digital Command Center The standard 12.9-inch infotainment display transforms how drivers interact with vehicle functions. The screen responds to multi-touch gestures and pairs with a tactile...
The Next Generation Volkswagen Tiguan: Completely Redesigned for 2025
The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan marks a bold step forward in the evolution of this popular SUV. A complete redesign brings sophisticated styling, enhanced performance, and cutting-edge technology to the compact SUV segment. Built on Volkswagen's advanced MQB evo platform, this new generation Tiguan delivers improvements in every aspect that matters to British Columbia drivers. Advanced Technology...
2025 VW Jetta Tech Features: Digital Cockpit to IQ.DRIVE
The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta showcases a comprehensive suite of advanced technology features that transform the driving experience. The latest model combines innovative digital displays, connected services, and intelligent driver assistance systems to create a thoroughly modern compact sedan. Digital Command Center: Screens and Interfaces The new Jetta greets drivers with an impressive digital...
Powered and developed by
