Comparative test. The 2021 Nissan Qashqai challenges the Peugeot 3008

Reference status is not always easy to wear. It forces you to constantly put your crown on the line and raises more expectations. Take the case of the Nissan Qashqai. The latest generation of whoever created the crossover segment and rocked the market when it launched in 2007 seems to have been totally eclipsed by younger, dapper models. However, she has led a more than honest commercial career if we consider the weight of Japanese on the European market.
In France, the Qashqai however fell on a bone: the Peugeot 3008, which continues to prance widely at the head of the segment despite its 5 years of age.

Completely redesigned, based on the latest CMF platform from the Renault-Nissan alliance and packed with new technologies, the Qashqai 2021 hopes to regain ground on the French, whose recent restyling has not revolutionized the services. In the absence of an automatic transmission on the 1.3 TCe 140 hp engine, we chose to oppose its only version with manual transmission to one of the most requested definitions of the 3008, the PureTech 130 hp EAT8.

Nissan Qashqai price

The Nissan Qashqai offers a reduced range of engines since it currently only has two versions of the 1.3 TCe well known from Renault, associated with a mild 12V hybridization. The entry-level one, the 140 hp, is not available with the automatic transmission, reserved for the 158 hp version, and is not entitled to the top of the Tekna + range. The Tekna finish of our model is therefore the most upscale available. For € 35,790it already offers a very complete endowment, including navigation, reversing camera, mixed synthetic leather / fabric upholstery, semi-autonomous driving or even the induction charger. The list of options is also relatively small since it is limited to the Winter pack, the temporary spare wheel, metallic paint and a Design pack whose main interest is the panoramic roof. Finally, note that, even with the manual transmission and its light hybridization, the Japanese are hit with the ecological penalty, located between 260 and 400 €.

Peugeot 3008 price

On the strength of its success, the 3008 does not sell out. In the GT version with automatic transmission of our test, the most requested, it is billed at € 39,100. If we deduct the additional cost of the box, which amounts to € 2,050, the price difference with the Nissan equals € 1,260. This is not nothing, even if the GT endowment offers equipment similar to that of the Japanese by integrating digital instrumentation, hands-free opening, GPS, semi-autonomous driving and LED headlights. You have to put your hand in the wallet to have the motorized tailgate, while some equipment offered by the Qashqai is missing such as the rear traffic alert. Note, however, that the tricolor SUV makes a little more effort in terms of presentation by offering the contrasting black roof, biton rims and Alcantara on the seats, the dashboard and the storm doors. Despite its EAT8 box, the Peugeot is on par with its rival in terms of the penalty, with € 310 levied by the State on this version.

To drive

After driving the Qashqai in its Xtronic version, we were eager to put its manual transmission to the test. Free of the continuously variable transmission, would the very famous 1.3 TCe find a little going? This is unfortunately not quite the case. Equipped with very long ratios, this box highlights a response time of the turbo significantly more marked than on the Renault models. To compensate, it is therefore necessary to downshift relatively often, especially as the Nissan accuses 84 kg more on the scale than its rival, yet equipped with an automatic transmission. The 12V hybridization system does not change anything, its only interest being to make the Stop & Start much faster.

Fortunately, the four-cylinder retains its usual qualities of silence and smooth operation. Without a multi-link rear axle in this Tekna version with 18-inch rims, the Qashqai nevertheless confirmed the qualities of comfort that it had revealed during the first test. It certainly does not exceed the 3008 on this point but makes an excellent copy despite some trepidation at low speed. The difference with the Peugeot is clearer in terms of driving pleasure. With a less clear direction and a less incisive front end, the Japanese are forced to bow to the master. However, no one blames a tennis player for losing to Nadal on clay… For Nissan, the game was over. Fortunately, it can show off a lower consumption of 0.5 l / 100 km on average compared to that of its opponent. We thus recorded an average of 6.9 l / 100 km on our mixed test route. Here we find a major quality of the four-cylinder borrowed from Renault.

Compared to the latest representatives of the compact SUV segment, our two models have the merit of keeping dimensions contained, well below 4.50 m. We say thank you to them when parking in places or in garages whose size is not extendable. This is particularly true for the 3008. Admittedly the definition of its reversing camera is execrable compared to that of the Qashqai, but its contours are clear, which makes it very easy to maneuver “in the rearview mirror”, a characteristic which has become rare today. ‘hui. For the rest, we find the Peugeot as in itself, always offering the best agility / comfort ratio in its category.

Thanks to its small steering wheel and precise steering, it definitely offers that little extra driving pleasure without the passengers having the least to complain about. The quality of the damping remains remarkable in every way. We will be a little less rave about the couple formed by the 1.2 PureTech and the EAT8. Noisier and more vibrant than the four-cylinder Nissan, the three-cylinder is certainly a little more flexible and efficient, but it still suffers with this transmission a few jerks at low speed and is a little more greedy. An appetite that must also be attributed to the EAT8 transmission. Finally, note that its driving aids appear both less intrusive and more relevant in their operation than those of the Nissan.

To live

If we had rather appreciated the finish of the Qashqai in Tekna + version, the comparison of its Tekna version with the 3008 GT clearly turns out to be to its disadvantage. Not only does the design of the Peugeot dashboard pass the time without a hitch, but the quality of materials and assemblies is clearly superior to that of the Japanese. This one is characterized by a very conventional interior style which uses black lacquered plastic not always of the best effect, while its mixed upholstery does not deliver the same impression of quality. With its Alcantara inserts, its “piano” keys and its chrome notes, it always inspires a real high-end feeling. The Qashqai makes up for it thanks to the modernity of its multimedia system on-board, much more complete and faster than the now totally outdated PSA system. We are still surprised that Peugeot did not see fit to update it during the restyling!

At the rear, the comparison turns to the advantage of the Nissan, which offers significantly more legroom, which has always been the weak point of Peugeot. The benches are comfortable, with however a central place to be reserved for people of small stature. If the French argues a slightly larger trunk, this difference is not decisive with only 16 liters of difference. On the other hand, its front seat, which can be folded into a tablet, is certainly an asset when it comes to loading long objects. The Nissan replies with its two-part floor which allows the trunk to be compartmentalized. In both cases, it is very well seen!

Find the match report and the technical sheets compared on the next page …