Nissan Qashqai vs Mitsubishi ASX

This is a useful car comparison because the Qashqai was one of the first compact crossover cars to be launched in the UK back in 2006/7. The ASX is one of most recent contenders to enter this market sector so it’ll be interesting to spot the differences and improvements over the past four years.

The Nissan Qashqai was launched at the time large SUVs and 4x4s took a dive in popularity. Since then the Qashqai has become a highly successful car in the UK. It was promoted more as a Sports Urban Vehicle distancing itself from then unpopular Sports Utility Vehicles.

Crossovers like the Qashqai, VW Tiguan, Ford Kuga and Skoda Yeti have revived the SUV, 4×4 sector as fun and family cars. Even prestige makers have entered this niche. The most recent entrants have been value brands – Hyundai ix35, and Kia Sportage.

The Mitsubishi ASX enters this sector with the ix35 and Sportage at prices to compete with the Qashqai which once had the price range to itself. All have significantly lower entry prices than the Kuga and Tiguan as well as the one time market leaders – the Freelander, RAV4 and CR-V. The Yeti is the cheapest.

Nissan Qashqai prices range from £17,000 to £23,000. The Mitsubishi ASX  from £16,000 to £24,000. No real difference there.

Both cars are the same overall length. The ASX has a little more load space with the rear seats up and even more with them folded.

Is there any real difference in engine efficiency?

The Qashqai petrol engine 1.6 2WD has a combined mpg of 42.8/44.1 mpg, 154 CO2s, 112 mph maximum speed and 0 to 62 mph in 12.9 seconds.

The ASX petrol engine 1.6 2WD has a combined mpg of 47.9 mpg, 135 CO2s, 113 mph maximum speed and 0 to 62 mph in 11.4 seconds.

These are lab’ figures so there may be little difference in real on the road conditions. However the ASX is significantly cleaner and slightly quicker.

The Qashqai diesel engine 2.0 2WD has a combined mpg of 47.1 mpg, 159 CO2s, 120 mph maximum speed and 0 to 62 mph in 10.0 seconds.

The ASX diesel engine 1.8 2WD has a combined mpg of 51.1 mpg, 145 CO2s, 124 mph maximum speed and 0 to 62 mph in 9.7 seconds.

Again little difference although the ASX is slightly cleaner. It’s the same story if you compare the 4×4 options.

The Qashqai does have a 2.0 petrol option which is a bit juicy and an economical 1.5 diesel which has a combined 53.3 mpg, 139 CO2s, 108 mph and 0 to 62 mph in 13.2 seconds making it the most economical and clean option.

With similar price ranges, size, space and engine efficiency there’s little to sway the car buyer if they particularly like the look of one or the other or finds the driver comfort of one is more to their taste. Both cars are among the most comfortable in this sector so it may simply be a matter of style.

If you are actually thinking of buying a car in this sector keep an eye on car insurance groups as you consider different models. If you’re considering a diesel engine calculate at what total mileage you recover the added cost of buying a diesel car with savings in fuel costs – you’ll find some big surprises.

If you too consider the Qashqai and ASX similar, both comfortable and stylish you may decide on the best deals for discount, finance, part exchange and add-ons. There can be a good 4 or £5,000 even more to be negotiated in this sector which can help contribute to later depreciation and running costs.

There’s also a longer 7 seat Qashqai which may also set a trend for the future.

It seems the Nissan Qashqai was a good idea at the time since proven by its continued sales successful which is underlined by many other makers entering this sector with very similar cars.

Regards
Ralph
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data date March April 2011

Why The Interest In Crossover, SUV, 4×4 cars?

Although there’s an enormous amount of interest in small cars today there is renewed and rising interest in Crossover, SUV, 4×4 cars.

Over the past four decades interest in small more economical cars rose every time there was an economic downturn or rise in fuel prices. Historically this hasn’t necessarily meant a rise in the sale of small cars. People said one thing about their intentions in surveys but that wasn’t what they actually did. The medium small Focus, Astra, Golf sector remained the most popular.

The reason car buyers have said one thing and done another in the past is although a car has to be affordable it also has to suit a buyers’ lifestyle. Over the past four decades small cars have grown from 3.5m to near 4m increasing their interior space and safety. Today small car sales are edging to the fore.

What is surprising is the renewed interest in the Crossover, SUV, 4×4 sector. This sector near died a death by 2007 because of running costs but has been rescued by the Crossover car concept. A Crossover car is built like a car – not a truck – and drives more like a car with more car like running costs.

It seems car buyers believe Crossovers, SUVs and 4x4s are suited to their lifestyle and are now a consideration as they become financially viable. The Nissan Qashqai’s amazing success is a good example.

The Nissan Qashqai replaced their Almera which competed in the most popular Focus, Astra, Golf sector. The Qashqai is an interesting alternative to the ubiquitous family hatchback.

A Qashqai is built on a Renault Megane platform as is the Renault Scenic but the Qashqai does not have the versatility of MPVs so why the interest? Without going into explaining the body styles of estate cars, SUVs and MPVs the main difference is the Qashqai has a prominent horizontal bonnet as opposed to one box MPV style with a steeply sloped windscreen merging into a sloping bonnet.

I can’t analyse the attraction of a prominent bonnet, maybe it’s an indication of a big powerful engine under the hood or perceived frontal crash protection. Certainly Ford have latched onto this style feature with the new C-Max having a more distinctive bonnet more like the Kuga than the old C-Max.

I seems against all reason SUVs should compete with more versatile MPVs when it comes to cars suiting lifestyles. However Crossovers have improved SUV versatility. The interest in Crossovers, SUVs and 4x4s seems to be a combination of being an alternative to the ubiquitous hatchback, with near MPV versatility and 4×4 macho styling.

What nearly killed the SUV sector was the viability of running the things. Vehicles like the RAV4, CR-V, Freelander followed by the Tiguan have managed to survive but with entry prices £20,000 or more it’s a bit of a stretch from the price of a family hatch.

Although the Qashqai costs more than a Megane it’s close enough to be considered. What has really racked up the interest in Crossovers is lower priced entrants into the market like the Hyundai ix35, Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi ASX and Skoda Yeti.

All the new entrants have the 4×4 style, adequate – not MPV – versatility in the dimensions of a Ford Focus. This makes them strong contenders as cars to suit people’s lifestyles.

If you compare their performance, emissions and fuel consumption with traditional 4x4s the improvements are amazing. However they don’t come close to the new improved efficiency of the everyday family hatchback. But maybe that’s not the comparison being made. They could be comparing Crossovers with the cars they are replacing.

Car sales have been poor since 2007 with owners postponing changing their cars which are most likely to be reliable and durable enough to hold onto. If their car is something like a Focus, Astra, Scenic, Zafira then their versatility probably still suits, whilst engine efficiency and general running costs have been good enough. Who’d pay thousands even tens of thousands to change their cars for the same type of car with small improvements?

However a Crossover is different, might suit their lifestyle and is now more affordable. It will be interesting to see when car sales pick up if interest in the Crossover sector will manifest itself in sales as it has done with the Qashqai.

Certainly there are deals to be done with dealers offering heavy discounts and low rate finance. If you ask for even more discount and better finance rates you may well get them. Just be sure you also get a good price for your part-exchange and discount on add-ons. Don’t be swayed by one of these for deals, you need the best on all four.

Four things you need to check:

• Get the latest EuroNCAP rating for new entrants into the market – you need 5-stars and ESP/ESC.
• The elevated view of the road from a Crossover has many advantages but be sure you’re happy with the cars’ higher centre of gravity, it’s stability and handling.
• When considering different engine and trim options be aware of the changes in car insurance groups and the differences in premiums.
• If you consider diesel engines compare it with a similar performing petrol engine and calculate at what total mileage savings in fuel costs repay the extra you pay for a diesel car.

Regards
Ralph
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Mitsubishi ASX vs Kia Sportage

Yesterday we compared the Sportage with the ix35 and as expected there’s not too much difference. So how does the ASX compare with the Sportage and therefore the very similar ix35? We also calculated a petrol engine Sportage is a viable proposition. Is the ASX petrol worth considering?

The Mitsubishi ASX is like the Sportage a crossover SUV built like a car. It couldn’t be more different from that truck of a thing, the Shogun. The Shogun was – with Nissan, Toyota – guilty of getting the UK hooked on big bad SUVs back in the 80s. The ASX probably benefits from many fond memories and from owners who loved their SUV but are reconsidering their need for 4×4 and a big car today although they still like the SUV body style.

The ASXs prestige – for want of a better word – and the fact Mitsubishi make some highly capable performance cars isn’t an issue for Kia. Kia have built a large following of loyal customers who only have good things to say about the brand. They can’t be dismissed as a value brand because Kia meet their customers’ expectations, first time – which defines quality.

Let’s look at the numbers.

The ASX enters the market over £1000 cheaper than the Sportage. Yes, I’ve got that the right way round.

The ASX is about six inches short of the Sportage in length and its 442(l) boot is a big suitcase short of the Sportage 564(l). With the rear seats folded the ASX has 1193(l) the Sportage 1353(l). For those who like the SUV style but no longer need the size or maximum space its’ worth continuing to consider the ASX. If space is important the longer Sportage may be more suitable.

Both cars have a 1.6 petrol 2WD option. On paper the ASX is more economical, cleaner with no significant difference in performance. However these are lab’ figures and as the two rank closely for fuel consumption there may be little difference on the road. The ASX does not have a 2.0 petrol option.

The ASX 1.8 diesel and Sportage 1.7 diesel 2WD options again rank closely for fuel consumption however the ASX is significantly faster and quicker. It’s the same story for both ASX 1.8, Sportage 2.0 diesel AWD drive options. It’s nice to have the extra feeling of power in the ASX when not at the expense of mpg. Obviously ragging it to 62mph in under 10 seconds and cruising at 124 mph will not return the combined 51.4 mpg.

The ASX 1.6 petrol 2WD has a 47.9 combined mpg. At £6.22 a gallon it would cost £1558 to cover 12000 miles.

The ASX 1.8 2WD with diesel costing £6.45 gallon would cost £1505 for 12k.

You would save £53 per year with the diesel by my calculations. You pay a £2200 premium for a diesel ASX . You need to do half a million miles to justify the diesel on the basis of fuel economy. The issue is the ASX petrol is just that bit too good.

The diesel ASX is a consideration for those who want the added performance and a feeling of power. I always think a diesel engine feels like petrol with 50% more litres. So a 1.8 diesel feels to me like 2.7 petrol which is very different from 1.6 petrol.

If you take both the ASX and Sportage and compare them with the popular, more expensive Land Rover Freelander - which must be the benchmark for compact SUVs, 4x4s – they’re a tad better on paper for fuel consumption, emissions and performance. However the Land Rover has a lot more space and a huge amount of brand equity.

If you’ve got better things to do with thousands of pounds than spend it on an Audi Q5 2.0 TDI 170 quattro both the ASX and Sportage are worth considering. They do amazingly well in paper comparisons for space, mpg, CO2s and performance. If you’ve got premium brand issues think Evo and CSI.

So differences between a Mitsubishi ASX forgetting the Kia Sportage 7-year warranty, put simply, ASX for a bit of fun, Sportage for a bit of family.

Regards
Ralph
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Big Bad 4x4s We Don’t Seem To Be Afraid Of

Back in 2007 a SUV, 4×4 was public enemy #1. Why ? Scroll right back to my very 1st posts. Things have changed. Crossover cars have saved this sector. But it seems a few big bad boys don’t need saving and I’m not talking about premium brands.

Let’s face it, if owners can afford a Range Rover at £75k, or a Merc M-Class, BMW X5 or Audi Q7, what do they care about the price of fish?

It’s the traditional 4x4s which have suffered. The family, fun and fashion market has moved towards the Crossover car. But is a Tiguan or Kuga the real deal?

Some buyers genuinely need a 4×4 for towing and off-road activity. This means a Nissan X-Trail continues to be in demand for those reasons. It’s always been bought for those real activities, not for fun or fashion or as a family car.

What is surprising is 4x4s like the Land Rover Discovery, Land Rover Freelander and Volvo XC90 continue to attract huge  interest.

The Land Rover Freelander I can partly understand being announced as a compact 4×4 at the exact time the big truck like jobs were going out of favour.  I can also get the Freelander and its new platform adapting to the market – but who knows that? I half accept the XC90 was a capable off-roader and one of the best tarmac tools. The Discovery is not only highly capable, it’s extremely versatile.

Clearly Land Rover and Volvo – who are up to their necks investing in this market – were thinking about SUV and 4×4 issues way before 2007. It takes years to design, set up production, distribute and launch a new car.

It seems Land Rover and Volvo are on the ball. Because when it comes down to SUVs and 4x4s – not Crossovers – a Disco, Freelander, and XC90 are serious contenders.

Just one point. Volvo advertise the XC90 as a Crossover. What? Is it car like? Maybe to drive than most big SUVs. But car like wheels and tyres, suspension travel, platform, centre of gravity, weight? I don’t know.

However it seems the XC90, Disco and Freelander are serious contenders for buyers who think they need this type of car for the many reasons they are made for. Just think of the things you see them tow – caravans, boats, horse boxes, hot-air balloon boxes, gliders, track-cars, camping trailers. All those activities normally mean some off-road activity.

Then consider the amount of properties in remote areas, if there is such a thing as remote in the UK.  What about the North of England which is guaranteed bad weather from November to March. It’s June in Scotland. Both are half good reasons to own a 4×4 and it just as well be a proper one like a Freelander, Disco or XC90. They’ve got the disposable income up there.

Down south we don’t need such things. I can’t think of spot in Sussex where at 10 o’clock in the evening you’d be out of sight of house lights. So we’ve had four bad winters in my lifetime which began in 1947. June 3rd, you’ve missed my birthday. Still we can pretend we’re in the wilderness of Worthing with a Kia.

So what do you get if you’ve got half the price of a Range Rover? With the Disco and Freelander you get the badge. Most won’t remember but a Volvo Estate was the UK’s #1 lifestyle car back in the early 80s before SUVs and then MPVs. An XC90 is an estate on a 4×4 platform. These are highly valued brands.

Of course most won’t admit to caring about brand prestige. I suppose they don’t really like a SUVs macho style either. But here’s a funny thing – SUVs are assumed to be comfortable. Nothing could be further from the truth with old SUVs. Comfort is good with our three.

If we say prestige, style and comfort are matters for your personal taste we’re left with performance, versatility, economy and safety.

Simply because a car is bulky doesn’t mean to say it’s safe. Historically traditional 4x4s have been far from safe. Luckily the Disco, Freelander and XC90 have electronic stability control. The XC90 and Freelander are 5-star Euro NCAP, the older Disco 5-star.

Shall we say fuel economy is better than it was.

All three have true SUV performance with respectable speeds and acceleration. The important thing is they have low-speed grunt – torque – strength.

The feature our three have which most Crossovers and new entrants to the Crossover, SUV, 4×4 market don’t have is loads of versatile space for all your gear.

So we might have it there. The reason the Discovery, XC90 and Freelander are still with us is because they’re the real thing for the real job, they torque the talk and you can load your lifestyle in the back – with the rear seats up.

Regards
Ralph
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