Nissan Qashqai vs Kia Sportage vs Dodge Caliber vs VW Golf

It’s always exciting when a manufacturer claims its new car is unique. But if it doesn’t fit into traditional class boundaries, what do you test it against? And what kind of people are going to want to buy it?

These were the questions we faced with the launch of the new Nissan Qashqai. Claimed to be a ‘crossover’ vehicle that combines the best bits of a family hatch and a compact SUV, the attractively styled Nissan had plenty of potential, so we lined up an array of rivals against it.

First up was the Dodge Caliber – a crossover vehicle in a similar vein to the Nissan. Representing the traditional hatchback was the Volkswagen Golf, while the Kia Sportage carried the flag for the compact SUV sector. But which of these is the best car for your money?

Well, the first to fall was the Dodge – it might be cheap and powerful, but this aside, it has little to recommend it. Dreadful cabin plastics, residuals that are truly frightening and cumbersome handling all ensured it was outclassed compared to its rivals here. The clumsy styling doesn’t have anything like the panache of the Nissan’s, either.

The Kia Sportage didn’t fare much better, as its vague steering and excessive body roll ensured it was seriously out of its depth in the company of the secure Golf and agile Qashqai. On top of that, the highest emissions and steep running costs make it a particularly poor ownership prospect. In fact, it’s only the large boot, relatively comfortable motorway cruising and occasional off-road ability that kept the Kia ahead of the Dodge.

There was a clear line emerging in this test, with the Golf and Qashqai well ahead of the others. But picking an outright winner was a tough decision. The VW proves there’s nothing wrong with the conventional family hatch concept. The German contender is dynamically superior to all its rivals, well built and inoffensively styled. The image of the Golf remains first class and it’s comfortable, smooth riding and very easy to live with. The 1.9-litre TDI engine is no longer the last word in refinement, though, and the VW has the smallest boot of the quartet.

The Qashqai is attractively styled, extremely well constructed and roomy. Better equipped and more refined than the Golf, it’s also way ahead of the Dodge and Kia on the road. Nissan has produced a very smart alternative to run-of-the-mill hatchbacks, and it deserves to be a success.

It’s not as revolutionary as Nissan claims, and unless you go for a four-wheel-drive version, its off-roading prowess is limited. But these concerns aside, the Qashqai is a very likeable vehicle and more than competent as a family car. That’s what sealed its victory here.