THE
all-new Nissan Qashqai has proved it has the pulling power to match its stunning good looks and captivating personality after it was named as The Overall Winner at the prestigious Tow Car Awards 2014.
The British-built model, which has redefined the crossover sector since its launch in January 2014, also won the 1,400kg-1,549kg (kerbweight) category, to underline its position as the new car of choice for the caravanning community and those who tow regularly.
Judges from the Camping and Caravanning Club and influential magazines Practical Caravan and What Car? tested a record 56 cars, including many premium brand offerings, before concluding the Qashqai 1.6 dCi 130PS Acenta Premium, priced from £25,780 RRP, is top of the tows.
They praised the model for its stability at speed, impressive performance, abundance of torque, smooth braking, exceptional 100kg noseweight and effortless hill-start ability. They were also impressed by the Qashqai’s all-round practicality and large 430-litre boot.
This winning combination, plus the model’s highly impressive 1,800kg maximum towing weight (braked) – a massive 400kg improvement on the original Qashqai – was enough for it to see off competition in its weight category from several rivals from Volkswagen, Skoda, Mercedes-Benz and Ford.
David Motton, Tow Car Editor at Practical Caravan, said: “The new Nissan Qashqai has already impressed What Car? enough to be named the 2014 Car of the Year. It didn’t take long behind the wheel to discover that the Qashqai has what it takes as a tow car, too. There was strong competition for the top prize this year, but the Qashqai’s towing ability, practicality and build quality make it the stand-out tow car champion of 2014.
“The first thing we look for in a tow car is stability at speed. This is one of the Qashqai’s greatest strengths – its unflustered approach to towing puts the driver at ease. Long journeys towing with the Nissan should prove hassle-free.”
The two prizes from The Tow Car Awards are the latest additions to the all-new Qashqai’s impressive list of award wins. Less than six months after it was first launched, the model has already been named ‘Car of the Year’ by both What Car? and Diesel Car magazines ‘New Car of the Year’ by eBay Motors customers. Meanwhile, the model’s strong appeal to business car operators and drivers was recently recognised with the ‘Best Crossover’ title in the Fleet World Car Awards.
Jim Wright, Managing Director of Nissan Motor GB, said: “We are delighted that the Qashqai has been named as The Overall Winner of The Tow Car Awards and it serves as proof of the crossover’s versatility. The all-new Qashqai was designed and engineered from the ground up to be truly outstanding across the board.
“The awards already won have clearly demonstrated how the Qashqai has massively raised the bar in the crossover sector and is now the car to beat for private buyers, families and fleets. Now caravan enthusiasts and those who need a vehicle that can tow know that the Qashqai is the best choice for them too.”