Sometimes you drive a new vehicle and from the very start it just impresses.
Nissan’s small Qashqai SUV did this for me – just a great allrounder – I tested
the mid-spec ST-L, all models front wheel drive powered by a 1.3-litre turbo four-
cylinder petrol engine linked to a CVT automatic, the drive experience a good one
with minimal slip through the continuously variable automatic generally offering a
nice blend of power and torque with three available drive modes– I managed
6.5L/100km with mainly around town motoring, but it does need 95 grade
premium fuel. Importantly, the Nissan Qashqai feels light and nimble on road –
Nissan have stripped a lot of weight out of this latest model, around 60 kilos,
using many aluminium body panels yet with advanced stamping and welding
techniques it has a 48 percent increase in structural rigidity. It feels so on road
with excellent steering response, a somewhat effortless SUV to drive with 250Nm
of torque from as low as 1600 revs. The ST-L a nice choice for a small family
however at $45,900 drive-away not the most affordable small SUV but its quality,
well equipped and nicely packaged apart from the lack of a rear power door, just
so handy when shopping. I’m David Berthon

Sometimes you drive a new vehicle and from the very start it just impresses. Nissan’s small Qashqai SUV did this for me – just a great allrounder – I tested the mid-spec ST-L, all models front wheel drive powered by a 1.3-litre turbo four- cylinder petrol engine linked to a CVT automatic, the drive experience a good one with minimal slip through the continuously variable automatic generally offering a nice blend of power and torque with three available drive modes– I managed 6.5L/100km with mainly around town motoring, but it does need 95 grade premium fuel. Importantly, the Nissan Qashqai feels light and nimble on road – Nissan have stripped a lot of weight out of this latest model, around 60 kilos, using many aluminium body panels yet with advanced stamping and welding techniques it has a 48 percent increase in structural rigidity. It feels so on road with excellent steering response, a somewhat effortless SUV to drive with 250Nm of torque from as low as 1600 revs. The ST-L a nice choice for a small family however at $45,900 drive-away not the most affordable small SUV but its quality, well equipped and nicely packaged apart from the lack of a rear power door, just so handy when shopping. I’m David Berthon

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

Motor Torque with David Berthon

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873 

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873&nbsp;

Nissan’s small Qashqai ST-L SUV – well equipped and packaged

Driving the Suzuki Swift today, a small five-door hatch in its fourth generation,
now in mild hybrid form and little different visually. I drove the top spec Swift GLX
combining a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with a 2.3kW integrated starter
generator and a 12-volt lithium-ion battery driving through a continuously
variable automatic with manual shift paddles. Super light at just 957Kg just so
nimble and easy to drive – the three cylinders a little noisy, it has a hum about it,
the steering light and the ride comforting for such a small car. The interior a big
improvement with a larger touchscreen, nice seats, a little tight in the rear but
understandable for a small hatch, quality from the Japan’s small car company
hard to criticize. The big question is how the hybrid element is employed – it
doesn’t drive in pure electric mode but adds a touch more power to the three-
cylinder engine when required. A pleasant small car, but at times a little course
and not as sweet as the previous 1.0-litre turbo Swift I remember. Good economy,
5.3L/100km but now requiring dearer 95 grade petrol. A nice well equipped small
hatch but to me now starting to show its age a little in certain areas. I’m David
Berthon

Driving the Suzuki Swift today, a small five-door hatch in its fourth generation, now in mild hybrid form and little different visually. I drove the top spec Swift GLX combining a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with a 2.3kW integrated starter generator and a 12-volt lithium-ion battery driving through a continuously variable automatic with manual shift paddles. Super light at just 957Kg just so nimble and easy to drive – the three cylinders a little noisy, it has a hum about it, the steering light and the ride comforting for such a small car. The interior a big improvement with a larger touchscreen, nice seats, a little tight in the rear but understandable for a small hatch, quality from the Japan’s small car company hard to criticize. The big question is how the hybrid element is employed – it doesn’t drive in pure electric mode but adds a touch more power to the three- cylinder engine when required. A pleasant small car, but at times a little course and not as sweet as the previous 1.0-litre turbo Swift I remember. Good economy, 5.3L/100km but now requiring dearer 95 grade petrol. A nice well equipped small hatch but to me now starting to show its age a little in certain areas. I’m David Berthon

Suzuki’s Swift hybrid hatchback – now with a a mild dose of hybrid assistance

Driving the relatively new Suzuki Swift Hybrid five-door hatchback – available in
three models, I drove the top-line GLX. The latest Suzuki Swift now in its fourth
generation comes only in hybrid form – combining a 1.2-litre three-cylinder
engine with what’s described as a mild hybrid system – a 2.3kW integrated starter
generator and a 12-volt lithium-ion battery. The GLX grade at $29,490 drive-away
sharply priced and highly equipped, with CVT transmission and manual shift
paddles, larger 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control air, and wireless phone
charging. The latest Swift looks little different to its predecessor. Despite the
hybrid tag there is no EV-only motoring, this is predominately a petrol car with
minimal electric motor torque – as such the drive feels little different to a pure
petrol model - the three-cylinder engine has a distinct hum to it while with an all-
up weight of just 957kg the Swift GLX automatic is a particularly nimble small car
around town. I managed 5.3L/100km and whilst that’s impressive it does need a
diet of dearer 95-octane petrol. A pleasant small hatchback in many ways, well
priced, highly equipped with safety and driving technology but some elements of
this latest Suzuki Swift hybrid left me thinking it was becoming a little dated. I’m
David Berthon

Driving the relatively new Suzuki Swift Hybrid five-door hatchback – available in three models, I drove the top-line GLX. The latest Suzuki Swift now in its fourth generation comes only in hybrid form – combining a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine with what’s described as a mild hybrid system – a 2.3kW integrated starter generator and a 12-volt lithium-ion battery. The GLX grade at $29,490 drive-away sharply priced and highly equipped, with CVT transmission and manual shift paddles, larger 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control air, and wireless phone charging. The latest Swift looks little different to its predecessor. Despite the hybrid tag there is no EV-only motoring, this is predominately a petrol car with minimal electric motor torque – as such the drive feels little different to a pure petrol model - the three-cylinder engine has a distinct hum to it while with an all- up weight of just 957kg the Swift GLX automatic is a particularly nimble small car around town. I managed 5.3L/100km and whilst that’s impressive it does need a diet of dearer 95-octane petrol. A pleasant small hatchback in many ways, well priced, highly equipped with safety and driving technology but some elements of this latest Suzuki Swift hybrid left me thinking it was becoming a little dated. I’m David Berthon

Suzuki’s Swift hybrid – fourth generation of a perennial favourite small hatch

Fatalities on country roads are overrepresented so top marks to the NSW
Government and Roads Minister John Graham for announcing a trial of new glow
in the dark line markings for some of our traditional black spots. The
photoluminescent road markings will be initially tested for six months on the
hairpin turn on Bulli Pass due to a spike in near-miss accidents between 9pm and
4am. The N.S.W. Government said around 125 near accidents had been reported
along Bulli Pass in the 12 months to June 30 and the glow in the dark line
markings located part way down the pass will increase awareness of the sharp
bend. Around a third of fatal crashes in N.S.W. happen at night and the Roads
Minister suggests if the trial is successful, it will be used on other black spot
areas. Surely an excellent initiative. I’m David Berthon

Fatalities on country roads are overrepresented so top marks to the NSW Government and Roads Minister John Graham for announcing a trial of new glow in the dark line markings for some of our traditional black spots. The photoluminescent road markings will be initially tested for six months on the hairpin turn on Bulli Pass due to a spike in near-miss accidents between 9pm and 4am. The N.S.W. Government said around 125 near accidents had been reported along Bulli Pass in the 12 months to June 30 and the glow in the dark line markings located part way down the pass will increase awareness of the sharp bend. Around a third of fatal crashes in N.S.W. happen at night and the Roads Minister suggests if the trial is successful, it will be used on other black spot areas. Surely an excellent initiative. I’m David Berthon

Nissan’s small Qashqai ST-L SUV – well equipped and packaged

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