Nissan Qashqais and their drivers are symbolic of everything that's wrong with motoring

Stoke

Car_54 wrote: »

So, how does that make them different from "supercars", sports cars, or indeed "luxury" saloons?

Supercars fit in parking bays..... or perhaps the people driving them are able to fit them in.

(awaits the bite)

Gloomendoom

My 80 year old mum loves hers.

RichardD1970

nickcc wrote: »

It's a crossover and not a 4x4 SUV. It's a great car for those who need the extra height and find most cars too low to get in and out of.

This.

My dad has one. Got it because of his dodgy knees and it was easy for him to get in and out of and he liked how it drives. He's not bothered at all about image, styling, what badge is on it or anything else.

Can't stand it myself though.

Car_54

Stoke wrote: »

Supercars fit in parking bays..... or perhaps the people driving them are able to fit them in.

(awaits the bite)

I'll bite!


Your "only" issue with SUV's was "... that 70% of the people who own them, really don't need them....".


So you now have two issues. Any more on the way?

motorguy

Stoke wrote: »

My only issue with SUV's is that 70% of the people who own them, really don't need them....

But the likes of the Qashqai and their ilk are really just "soft roaders" not SUVs.

They've some of the advantages of an SUV - high driving position, good interior space (by being quite upright inside), good bootspace, ease of access, etc, without the downsides of low MPG and outright size that say an X5 would bring.

I'd rather have the likes of a Qashqai rather than say a Focus estate car or a people carrier.

I ran an X5 for a year some years ago. I didnt "need" it, but i just fancied one. Loved it, but the running costs were sky high.

MataNui

Looks way better than the last version.
Only criticism i have personally is that the boot space verses vehicle size is carp (though people who buy these are more interested in height than volume i guess), but thats more a criticism of the 'crossover' (wannabe suv) sector in general and not this particular model

Stoke

Car_54 wrote: »

I'll bite!


Your "only" issue with SUV's was "... that 70% of the people who own them, really don't need them....".


So you now have two issues. Any more on the way?

My point is that 70% of people don't need them, but they seem to adopt a mentality of bigger is better/stronger/safer. The school run should be full of Ford Focus', Golf's etc. They're the ultimate family car..... so why the hell do I have to fit past dozens of double parked massive Kia's and Hyundai's and Nissan Qashqai's? Because logic seems to dictate that the safest way to protect your children is to drive them to school in a huge vehicle, rather than a practical one? If every SUV on the school run was replaced by a Focus, the roads wouldn't be so congested. There wouldn't be so many bumps and minor accidents. Traffic queues would be shorter..... and I suspect when children do get hit, the injuries would be less severe.

No, let's keep buying HUGE vehicles for the sake of it eh?

Stoke

motorguy wrote: »

But the likes of the Qashqai and their ilk are really just "soft roaders" not SUVs.

They've some of the advantages of an SUV - high driving position, good interior space (by being quite upright inside), good bootspace, ease of access, etc, without the downsides of low MPG and outright size that say an X5 would bring.

I'd rather have the likes of a Qashqai rather than say a Focus estate car or a people carrier.

I ran an X5 for a year some years ago. I didnt "need" it, but i just fancied one. Loved it, but the running costs were sky high.

So, let me take you to ask over a few of your points:
Exactly what advantage does a high driving position give you? Please give me 3 decent reasons? I can give you a reason NOT to have a high driving position, because when a small child walks in front of your vehicle, you may struggle to see him. Yes, the same is true for all cars but you have a much better chance in a Golf than a Land Rover.

Good interior space can be had in any car.... just buy the right car. The boot space on a Passat Estate is more than enough for most people. You can't seriously be saying that some mum who does the shopping after dropping her kids off at school needs a huge SUV to get the job done? Actually, most SUV's have poorer MPG than small cars.... and let's not forget their inability to handle, hence why they still are a risk of toppling.

Totally agree on people carriers. They're crap, but no chance.... A Focus Estate is a practical car for most families. An SUV is not.

X5's are beautiful vehicles, but they're impractical for the majority of people that own them, as are Land Rover's and Range Rovers. Even the short wheel base Shogun's are unnecessary, but I can just about live with them.

facade

Stoke wrote: »

Exactly what advantage does a high driving position give you? Please give me 3 decent reasons?

1) easier to get into & out of. (and the more upright seats are a bit kinder on your back)
1.5) usually a bit more headroom, unless you buy one of these Rangerover sport clones that taper to a point at the back

2) you are only blinded by the oncoming headlights of 50% of the cars and vans on the road, not 100%
3) you can see through the windows of most vehicles in front (that don't have gangsta windows or solid rear doors)
3.5) The horizon is slightly further away, you can see over hump backed bridges sooner.

Herzlos

High driving position gives you a better view of the road and around obstacles.


The higher driving position also makes it easier for people with mobility issues.


The higher body means there's usually less intrusion in the footwell so more space for rear passengers.


Does everyone need one? Not at all. Do they suit some people? Absolutely.