Nissan has dipped into its tub of Black is Beautiful to pep Midnight Edition up
Nissan likes to call the Qashqai City Proof. So, to keep the albeit ageing but still pretty SUV fresh in the face of the already revealed next generation, it’s tarted the family favourite crossover up with this Midnight Edition. The company has dipped into its jar of Black is Beautiful to make it happen. To be honest, at first sight, this darkened urban crossover certainly looks the part. Especially for a 2006 model. Although to be fair his one is based on the most recent 2018 spec.
dipped into the Black is Beautiful
Qashqai Midnight Edition gains a black roofline and rails, on a cool ruby red in this instance, adds ‘black wind’ 19-inch alloys along with a blackened ‘V-Motion’ grille and black-trimmed bumper punctuated by daytime driving lights, wing mirror caps, privacy glass tinted side and rear windows and more. It strikes a pretty decent pose. And actually does turn heads.
Step inside and there’s more darkness — dark Alcantara-clad seats, red stitched black floor mats, black gear air vents and a black gearknob too. Black is beautiful, as we said. Midnight Edition also adds Android Auto and Apple CarPlay mobile-mirroring infotainment with onboard navigation to Qashqai, all run in part by a neat multifunction leather steering wheel. That over and above Bluetooth, a CD-Player, USB and Aux connection and a reversing camera with park distance control too.
There’s also a host of safety and assistance tech from an Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection and a Forward Collision Warning; Forward Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning and Cross Traffic Alert Add climate and cruise control, hill-start assist and an onboard trip computer, seat warmers and a 12 volt socket. The safety net stretches to six airbags, Isofix Mountings and ABS anti-skid brakes with EBD; Lane Change Assist and Stability Control.
1.2-litre turbo twelve-hundred
Powered by the Nissan-Renault alliance’s 85 kW 165 Nm 1.2-litre turbo petrol four pit that also tends to crop up in some other executive models, it turns the front wheels via a constantly variable transmission gearbox. Nissan quotes 6.2 litres per 100 km economy at 144 grams per kay CO2 and claims a 12.9 second 0-100 with a 179 km/h top end. It’s actually quite a bit better than that — we tested it at 11.7 seconds to 100 and the rest of the figures listed below, were pleasing too.
Qashqai has a handy suspension and wheel combination that not only looks the part, but also delivers a surprisingly comfy ride. Midnight feels well planted on the road. Brakes are sharp, yet responsive and comfortable enough with good higher speed feedback.
We found Quashqai’s cabin and systems intuitive and hassle free to live with, the leather power driver’s seat is comfortable and interior finish impressed with quality soft materials and a centre console with deep cup holders. So you won’t easily bump those cups over. There’s plenty of boot space too at 430 litres standard and up to 860 litres with the rear seats folded down.
Benefits Nissan’s impressive back-up
Packing Nissan’s impressive 6-year 150,000 km warranty and 3-year 90,000 km service plan, R492K may seem expensive, but for what you get, the Nissan Qashqai 1.2T Midnight Edition is a pretty sharp deal.
All in all, this good looking well-built, comfortable and by now very well proven 5 seater family crossover performs well enough, is economical enough on fuel and is packed with a surprising level of luxury and safety. It really looks the part too, so if you don’t mind the fact that its still basically a 2006 model, this tarted-up goodbye edition Qashqai may just be the ticket. Especially if your local Nissan shop can take this one back at a proper price when the new one happens along…
ROAD TESTED: Nissan Qashqai 1.2T Midnight Edition Engine: 85 kW 165 Nm 1.2-litre turbo petrol I4 Drive: CVT FWD TESTED: 0-60 km/h: 5.11 sec 0-100 km/h: 11.72 sec 0-120 km/h: 16.65 sec 0-160 km/h: 33.83 sec 400m: 18.1 sec @ 125 km/h 80-120 km/h: 8.63 sec 120-160 km/h: 17.81 sec CLAIMED: VMax: 179 km/h Fuel: 6.2 l/100 km CO2: 144 g/km Warranty/Service: 6y 150K/3y 90K km LIST PRICE: R492K RATED: 7
