As we always say, the SUV segment It is the one that, by far, is experiencing the greatest growth in all of Europe. So far this year, SUVs and crossovers have taken more than 40% of sales in our country, with almost 25% going to the category of compact SUVs o SUV-C. In the first nine months of 2018, this category added more than 250.000 registrations in Spain.
In this segment of mid-size all-roaders, without a doubt, the king is the Nissan Qashqai, which is known as the first great success of this category and model that opened "the ban". However, its rivals are not few, since all the brands have jumped on this bandwagon. One of them is the Opel Grandland X. So, without further ado, let's compare all the sections to the Nissan Qashqai and Opel Grandland X. Which one is more interesting to buy?
Exterior design
The main claim of any SUV vehicle is its exterior design, since we already know that, although they look like off-road style vehicles, everything remains in the image. Its capacities outside the asphalt are little better than those of a compact, that is to say, practically null. So let's see the design keys of each of our protagonists.
El Nissan Qashqai The second generation was subjected to a restyling a little over a year ago, subtly improving some elements of its design. The thick chrome “V” presides over the front and guards the locomotive of the brand in such a way that the main radiator grille goes unnoticed. In turn, a second V of larger dimensions, but more discreet due to its black color, encompasses practically the entire front and connects the LED headlights.
In the case of Opel Grandland X, which is a new model, first generation, a different recipe has been taken, although equally valid. The main grille takes on more prominence, taking care of the brand's logo with chrome "wings" inside. The headlights are also LED. In the lower part, the second air intake is also very present and receives a lot of prominence.
Where they most coincide in the exterior design section is in the side view. Both the Nissan and the Opel have a very similar silhouette, good glazing, two rising power lines (one at the door handles and one at the bottom), roof racks and a small roof spoiler. In addition, they also reveal part of the headlights and taillights.
Little to highlight in rear of these two cars. Both have pilot lights with LED technology, a tailgate with a generous loading opening and voluminous lower protections in black and gray. Both the Qashqai and the Grandland X seek to gain maximum feeling of width with clear horizontal design lines.
Interior design and qualities
We went to see the interiors and the quality that we perceive. Neither model features striking cabin design, betting on insurance. Both in the Nissan Qashqai and in the Opel Grandland X, everything is quite neat and intuitive; following the usual patterns of each brand.
Although both use the glossy black color, the famous black piano that we like so much (note the irony), the one that abuses it the most is clearly the German model. This finish appears in the central area of the dashboard as the outline of the infotainment screens and climate control controls.
And since we're talking about the infotainment screens, in neither of the two cases are the best in terms of quality of display and handling, although the Opel convinces us somewhat more than the Nissan for its handling and projection of information. In the instrument panels, which in both are somewhat simple, but correct, we have a small screen in the central position for trip information such as consumption, autonomy and partial odometer, among other things.
Regarding the Used materials on the dashboard and on the interior trim of the doors, in neither case are they The best, with some plastic relatively soft in the highest part of the dashboard and others that are harder and rougher in the central and lower part of it. In any case, the fit feel is good, as it also seems that They will hold up well over the years.. Once again, neither the Japanese nor the German models take risks; but they keep their backs.
Exterior dimensions, interior space and trunk capacity
| Length | Width | Height | Battle | trunk capacity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | Width | Height | Battle | trunk capacity | |
| Nissan Qashqai | 4.394 mm | 1.806 mm | 1.590 mm | 2.646 | 430 liters |
| Opel Grandland X | 4.477 mm | 1.856 mm | 1.609 mm | 2.675 mm | 514 liters |
As we see in the table above, the Grandland is something bigger in all its outer dimensions than the Qashqai. Although the difference of each measure is slight, the sum of all of them partially affects the indoor habitability. Despite this, the variations for the space of the occupants is not great. Thus, we see that the Opel is 7 cm longer, 5 cm wider and only 1 cm higher. In the wheelbase there is a 3 cm difference in favor of the German model.
All the front seats, as is the general rule in this segment, they are quite spacious and comfortable even for people of size XL. In the rear seats, the distance for the knees is very similar, and there are no problems for four adults are comfortably accommodated. However, it is in height where the Opel Grandland X wins the game, offering more space and, therefore, comfort for the head. The width is similar, although somewhat better in the Opel model.
The Nissan model and the Opel model have five approved seats, although following the trend, there is more importance to the occupants of the side seats, offering less comfort and space to the passenger who uses the central seat. You know, the backrest is harder and narrower, the bench is somewhat higher and the central tunnel makes it difficult to place your feet. In the Opel Grandland X this fifth occupant will feel somewhat more comfortable, but none of your companions will want to sit in that seat.
Nissan Qashqai trunk with the trunk floor in its highest position
The biggest difference in terms of space of these SUVs comes in the load capacity. The trunk of the Opel Grandland X beats the Nissan Qashqai by a landslide, with a difference of 84 litres. The Nissan's trunk volume is among the smallest in the C-SUV category, looking even less spacious when we put the load floor in the upper position. If we lower the seats, the Nissan Qashqai offers 1.598 liters, for the 1.652 liters of the Opel Grandland X.
Trunk of the Opel Grandland X
mechanical offer
As you know, after the recent change of approvals and the new WLTP cycle, many models have varied their mechanical offer in recent weeks, with some vehicles still not offering all their options. If you are wondering about greener versions, neither of them offers hybrid engines in their range, plug-in hybrids or electric. Of the Nissan we do not know anything, but it seems that the Opel will soon receive a hybrid mechanics.
La Advantage of the Nissan Qashqai over the Opel Grandland X is that the Japanese can count on four-wheel drive, while all the mechanical versions of the German send their power to the front end. The Grandland X does not offer 4×4 drive, but it does have a power delivery optimization system and traction control settings to try to improve traction on slippery surfaces such as snow, mud or sand. Is named IntelliGrip and it is optional.
Nissan Qashqai engines
| Denomination | Number of cylinders | Displacement | Power | Motor torque | Approved consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denomination | Number of cylinders | Displacement | Power | Motor torque | Approved consumption |
| 1.5 dCi | 4 cylinder | 1.461 cc | 115 CV | 260 Nm | 4.2 l / 100 km |
| 1.6 dCi | 4 cylinder | 1.598 cc | 130 CV | 320 Nm | 4.4 l / 100 km |
| 1.3 DIG-T 140 | 4 cylinder | 1.332 cc | 140 CV | 240 Nm | 5.3 l / 100 km |
| 1.3 DIG-T 160 | 4 cylinder | 1.332 cc | 160 CV | 260 Nm | 5.3 l / 100 km |
Engines Opel Grandland X
| Denomination | Number of cylinders | Displacement | Power | Motor torque | Approved consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denomination | Number of cylinders | Displacement | Power | Motor torque | Approved consumption |
| Turbo 1.2 | 3 cylinder | 1.199 cc | 130 CV | 230 Nm | 5.3 l / 100 km |
| 1.5 CDTi | 4 cylinder | 1.499 cc | 130 CV | 300 Nm | 4.2 l / 100 km |
El Nissan Qashqai, in addition to having four-wheel drive versions, offers much more mechanical variety than the Opel Grandland X. The latter will soon incorporate the 2.0 hp 177 diesel block, which has been temporarily discontinued and which we tried a few months ago.
Behavior
If in the design sections we said that neither one had decided to take risks, betting in both cases on the safe side, in the dynamic section it was not going to be less. These two models compact SUV segment generalists They are designed for urban and routine use, but at the same time offering good ride comfort when we hit the road.
If we refine a little more, we can say that the Nissan Qashqai feels somewhat more agile than the Opel Grandland X. The setting of the suspensions, at least in the tested units, is similar, but touch and sensations I liked the Japanese ones better than the German ones.
The Qashqai has a better steering and shift touch, although it is not that it is the panacea or the best of the segment in this sense. With the Opel I have not felt so comfortable for two reasons: the long travel of the gear lever (very typical of the brand) and, in this case, due to the lower lateral support of the front seats when we face a section of curves .
The two models meet well insulated from aerodynamic and rolling noise, even more in the case of two cars of general brands. On the other hand, they are quite comfortable and convey a pleasant sense of poise high speed. Meanwhile, in the city, the suspensions absorb the irregularities and the famous bumps well. In this sense, although the difference is slight, the Opel Grandland X has seemed somewhat more comfortable, without discrediting the work done on the Nissan Qashqai.
Outside the asphalt, the dynamic capabilities are minimal in both cars; although they will be better in the Nissan as long as we opt for the 4 × 4 drive.
Security systems
Let's go with a section of vital importance, the driving assistants and active safety systems. As always, it depends on the level of equipment and optional systems purchased.
Both in the Nissan and in the Opel we can count on automatic lights, rain sensor, fatigue detector, involuntary lane departure alert, automatic high beam, LED headlights (modular in the Opel), recognition of traffic signs, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, parking assistant, 360-degree camera and rear cross-traffic alert, among others. Therefore, they can be very well equipped in terms of security.
EuroNCAP result
Although both obtain the famous 5 EuroNCAP starsIn the following table we leave you the scores.
| Nissan Qashqai | Opel Grandland X | |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Qashqai | Opel Grandland X | |
| Adult Occupant | 88% | 84% |
| child occupant | 83% | 87% |
| Pedestrians | 69% | 63% |
| Active Security | 79% | 60% |
Again, the differences are minimal, being very equal in terms of protection for adults and children. Fewer similarities are found in the scores on the active safety equipment and driving assistants that are offered as standard, being above the Nissan model.
Pricing
The starting price of the Nissan Qashqai in its most accessible version -Visia finish and 1.3 hp 140 DIG-T engine- starts at 22.800 euros (18.500 euros with discounts) according to the configurator. The cheapest diesel version -1.5 dCi 115 hp- starts at 24.000 euros (18.850 euros with discounts).
In turn, the Opel Grandland X, according to the configurator and without discounts, in its access variant -Selective finish and 1.2 CV 130 Turbo engine- part of the $23.400, although without adding the discounts. The diesel engine starts at 24.122 euros. In any case, the Opel configurator is being updated and does not report the discounts that could be applied to that amount.
As you can see, the recommended prices are quite similar for the most accessible versions. In a upper-intermediate equipment, such as the N-Connecta for the Nissan and the Design Line for the Opel, start at 26.088 and 26.600 euros respectively (without discounts).
Conclusions
Throughout the article you have seen that the Nissan Qashqai and the Opel Grandland X are quite similar in terms of design, technology, safety and price. The most notable difference comes when we talk about habitability, being the most spacious and usable Opel crossover both for space for the occupants, and in trunk volume. Of course, the driving feel has been more satisfactory with the Nissan. For their part, the prices without discounts are very similar.
I, particularly, if I had to opt for one of the two, I would stay with the Nissan Qashqai; as long as, yes, the maximum space inside and in the trunk was not essential.
Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi 110 HP Tekna | 
Opel Grandland X 1.2 Turbo 130 hp Excellence |
|---|---|
| 4.5 star rating | 3.5 star rating |
| €17.900 a €31.950 | €25.100 a €39.800 |
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Other rivals of the Nissan Qashqai and Opel Grandland X
We mentioned at the beginning of this comparison that the compact SUV segment It is the one that is experiencing the greatest growth and, therefore, there are few brands that do not want to enter this category with all their arsenal. What general brand rivals of the Nissan Qashqai and the Opel Grandland X we can mention the Ford Kuga, Hyundai Tucson (experiment), Jeep Compass, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5 (experiment), Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (experiment), Peugeot 3008 (experiment), Renault Kadjar (experiment), Seat Ateca (experiment), Skoda Karoq (experiment), SsangYong Korando (experiment), Subaru XV (experiment), Suzuki S-Cross and Volkswagen Tiguan (experiment).
Botton line
Good points of the Nissan Qashqai
- dynamic agility
- Wide mechanical range with 4×4 option
Negative points of the Nissan Qashqai
- infotainment system
- Habitability and trunk capacity below average
Positive points of the Opel Grandland X
- Increased interior capacity and trunk volume
- Ease of use
Negative points of the Opel Grandland X
- Very comfort-oriented set-up
- Reduced mechanical range
More information about this model
- Plazas 5
- Power 140 - 190 hp
- Consumer goods 5,3 - 7l/100km
- Assessment 4,5