Can a Nissan Qashqai 1.6 tow a caravan?

By Elaine Knight
Page last updated: 09/09/2022 | Next review date: 09/09/2024
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Elaine Knight
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In this article, we will answer the following question: Can a Nissan Qashqai 1.6 tow a caravan? We will write a short review on the Nissan Qashqai 1.6 and explain why we consider it the best deal. 

Can a Nissan Qashqai 1.6 tow a caravan?

With a maximum towing weight of 1800 kgs, Nissan Qashqai 1.6 can tow a caravan, trailer or camper with ease. The Nissan Qashqai is Reliable, economical and good for towing.

The 1.6-litre Qashqai has a manual transmission, which is good because it lends itself to more dynamic driving, with the limits imposed by the softness of the suspension even when towing a fully-loaded caravan.

Nissan Qashqai 1.6 Towing Capacity


Car make and model		Unbraked Towing CapacityBraked Towing Capacity
Nissan Qashqai (2007 – 2013) 1.6 (117bhp) 360 685kg1200kg
Nissan Qashqai (2007 – 2013) 1.6 (117bhp) Acenta 685kg1200kg
Nissan Qashqai (2007 – 2013) 1.6 (117bhp) N-Tec 685kg1200kg
Nissan Qashqai (2007 – 2013) 1.6 (117bhp) Tekna 685kg1200kg
Nissan Qashqai (2007 – 2013) 1.6 (117bhp) Visia 685kg1200kg
Nissan Qashqai (2007 – 2013) 1.6 dCi 360750kg1400kg
Nissan Qashqai (2007 – 2013) 1.6 dCi Tekna 4WD 750kg1400kg
Nissan QASHQAI DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6 dCi N Connecta 720 kg1,800 kg
Nissan QASHQAI DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6 dCi N Connecta 5dr720 kg1,800 kg
Nissan QASHQAI DIESEL HATCHBACK 1.6 dCi N Vision 720 kg1,800 kg
Nissan QASHQAI HATCHBACK 1.6 DiG T Tekna 695 kg1,500 kg
Nissan Qashqai+2 (2008 – 2013) 1.6 (117bhp) 360 735kg1200kg
Nissan Qashqai+2 (2008 – 2013) 1.6 (117bhp) Visia 735kg1200kg
Nissan Qashqai+2 (2008 – 2013) 1.6 dCi N-Tec 4WD 750kg1400kg
Nissan Qashqai+2 (2008 – 2013) 1.6 Visia (2010) 5d735kg1200kg

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Best deal: Nissan Qashqai 1.6 dCi

Until now, the Nissan Qashqai offered two diesel engines: a 1.5 dCi 110 hp, which focused on the economy and was offered only with a front-wheel drive, and a powerful 2.0 dCi 2.0-litre, which benefited from all-wheel drive and the possibility of being equipped with an automatic gearbox.

The distance between these two versions was considered a bit long, so if the French still put one of the most powerful small-cylinder diesel on the market from Renault, why shouldn’t Qashqai also benefit from it? That only Renault also supplied the 1.5 and 2.0-litre dCi, which turned out to be perfect for the Qashqai.

Initially, I expected the new 1.6-litre diesel to be a replacement for the 1.5-litre dCi, for those who needed more of a small diesel. The displacement by 100 cc and the higher power by 20 hp would have justified this replacement, especially since the 1.5 dCi engine is already enough years on the market to prepare for retirement.

Well, I was wrong, because the 1.6-litre dCi is nowhere near 1.5 dCi. First of all, the 1.6 dCi is quieter, and the vibrations are at a much lower level than in the case of the smaller engine. Then, from the first seconds after leaving the place, the dynamics of the 1.6-litre dCi is at much better levels than you would expect from the power difference of only 20 hp compared to 1.5 dCi.

The advantage of the Qashqai 1.6 dCi in urban mode is called Stop & Start, i.e the automatic engine stop/start system. In theory, the Qashqai 1.6 dCi has an urban consumption of 6.1 litres / 100 km, at the same levels as the value of 6.3 litres / 100 km of the 1.5-litre dCi. 

If in the city Qashqai 1.6 dCi is a convenient crossover, the real advantages of the new engine are seen in the long run, where the performance is almost as good as that of the larger dCi, 2.0 litres and 150 hp. The revs are strong, and the accelerations take place in a sound environment at the same level as the larger engine.

Basically, the 1.6-litre dCi makes the 2.0-litre dCi useless – which is why the Japanese now offer the larger engine only in combination with automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. 

And in the case of extra-urban routes, the 1.6-litre dCi makes a very good figure in terms of consumption, which is less than 1 litre / 100 km lower than the 2.0-litre dCi. At the end of the test, we obtained an average value of 5.7 litres / 100 km, higher by only half a litre per cent compared to the theory. That is down the hat for the new 1.6-litre dCi on the Qashqai!

And one more detail, which will make environmentalists smile: whenever the engine is stopped by the automatic Stop & Start system, the amount of CO2 saved will also appear on the display behind the steering wheel. That is another invention through which people are trained to adopt a more economical driving style.

Qashqai 1.6 and Around View Monitor.

The Nissan Qashqai may be a compact crossover, but the car’s size is a bit of a problem in the case of narrow parking lots in the cityscape. So the Japanese thought of offering those interested a new system from now on: Around View Monitor.

It is a system with four cameras (one in the front grille, one on the tailgate and one in the two side mirrors), which transmits the images on the central display of the Nissan Connect navigation system in a very intuitive: on one side of the screen you can see the images from behind (or in front, as the case may be), and on the other side, we have a review view, with the car from above.

Obviously, the system automatically comes into operation when you reverse, but it can also be activated from the button on the console, below the display – for situations when it moves slowly. 

So Around View Monitor is not only good for parking manoeuvres, but also for the moments when you “take out” the car’s snout when exiting a street without visibility, the side cameras helping you a little to “see around the corner”.

If the practical advantages of the Around View Monitor system are indisputable, there is another factor that attracts attention: the price of this option. Although Visia is not available on the basic level, the Around View Monitor system costs only 400 dollars on the Acenta intermediate level and is even offered as standard equipment on the higher Acenta Special level.

However, there is a “find”: the images from the four cameras are displayed on a central display, which is, in fact, part of the Connect Plus navigation system. Which still requires 1,400 dollars, coming bundled with the panoramic ceiling. In a way, it’s logical: who wants a Around View Monitor is most likely quite pretentious to want a touch screen navigation system, right?

In terms of prices for the new diesel engine, Qashqai 1.6 dCi starts at $22,790in basic Visia equipment ($24,890for the All-Mode 4 × 4-i traction version), which is a relatively convenient price for performance and, more chosen, consumption displayed.

The bottom line

Nissan Qashqai 1.6 impressed us. As we mention, the 1.6 dCi is quieter, and the vibrations are at a much lower level than in the case of the smaller engine. The dynamics of the 1.6-litre dCi is at much better levels than you would expect from the power difference of only 20 hp compared to 1.5 dCi.

What do you think? Please let us know if you have any questions or comments on the content.

FAQ on Can a Nissan Qashqai 1.6 tow a caravan?

Can a Nissan Qashqai 1.5 tow a caravan?

Yes, a Nissan Qashqai 1.5 can tow a braked caravan with a maximum weight of 1360 kgs (luggage and passengers included). The unbraked towing capacity is just 692 kg, so you’d better go for a smaller camper.

Can a 1.2 car tow a caravan?

A 1.2 car, such as the Nissan Washwai 1.2 can tow a caravan, as long as the weight of the towed vehicle doesn’t exceed 85% of the kerb weight of the car. 

Can a 1.5 diesel pull a caravan?

A 1.5 diesel could pull a caravan, although many drivers see it as a challenge for the MTPLM. A 1.5 diesel or 1.5-litre petrol are not usually among the favourites for towing a caravan. 

References 

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