Mat’s Car of the Day: three reasons why the Nissan Qashqai is better than a Jaecoo 7, plus three reasons it’s not

This Nissan Qashqai is one of those cars that is absolutely everywhere, but you never really notice. It’s a brilliant family SUV which is currently the fourth most-popular car on sale in the UK, but it’s currently being beaten by a newcomer from China.

That would be the Jaecoo 7, a car which exploded onto the scene in late 2024 and is quickly becoming a sales hit thanks to its Range Rover-esque styling, huge equipment list and low starting price.

The thing is, there are a few reasons why you should consider the Nissan Qashqai over the Jaecoo, and Carwow has some deals to make it even more tempting.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

Three reasons to buy a Nissan Qashqai over a Jaecoo 7

1. It’s far nicer to drive

One of my biggest complaints about the Jaecoo 7 is the way it drives. The steering is really vague, it’s fidgety over bumps and it’s pretty noisy on the motorway as well.

The Nissan Qashqai doesn’t have any of these issues. It glides over rough surfaces and stays hushed at speed, plus it just feels more planted on a twisty road. It’s not a sporty thing to drive, but it just feels more solid and relaxing than the Jaecoo.

2. The interior is better in some ways

The Jaecoo 7’s interior does feel impressively posh, but so does the Nissan Qashqai’s. Higher-spec cars get suede-like materials on the dashboard and door panels, and all the switchgear feels solid as well.

Speaking of switchgear, the Qashqai has proper knobs and buttons for things like the climate control and audio, something the Jaecoo does without, making the Nissan much easier to use on the move.

The smaller screen may not look as modern as the massive portrait display you get in the Chinese alternative, but the overall cabin layout is much more user-friendly in the Nissan.

3. It has a fantastic hybrid engine

No shade to the hybrid engine you get in the Jaecoo 7, it’s really smooth, punchy and efficient, but the E-Power hybrid available in the Nissan Qashqai is in a league of its own.

Unlike most hybrids, it only uses the engine as a generator to create electricity for the motor. It never drives the wheels directly. This means it feels like an electric car, with the instant throttle response and smooth performance, but without the need to plug it in. I also managed more than 60mpg, which is impressive.

Nissan Qashqai prices and deals

One of the biggest draws to the Jaecoo 7 is the price. It starts at just under £30,000, making it a couple of grand cheaper than the Qashqai, and you get stacks of standard kit.

What actually matters, however, is the price you pay at a dealer. Right now through Carwow, you can save an average of almost £6,000 on a new Nissan Qashqai.

I would go for the Qashqai N-Design with the E-Power hybrid engine. This car gets some sporty styling upgrades, adaptive cruise control, a panoramic glass roof and heated seats and steering wheel. The list price for this car is just under £40,000, around £7,000 more than a similarly-specced Jaecoo 7.

However, through Carwow you can get this car for £33,300, making it only around £500 more than the Jaecoo. That’s why you want to make sure to check out the latest offers to see how much you can save.

Three reasons not to buy a Nissan Qashqai over a Jaecoo 7

As good as the Qashqai is, there are a few reasons to consider the Jaecoo instead. Here are three examples.

1. The Jaecoo is more spacious inside

In terms of boot space, these two cars are within four litres of each other – with the Nissan being slightly up on the Jaecoo. However, space in the back seats is far more generous in the Jaecoo 7.

There’s way more headroom, and legroom is better as well. I also found I could slide my feet under the seat in front, something I struggled with in the Qashqai. The Nissan’s rear bench offered little in the way of under-thigh support, making it less comfortable for rear passengers.

2. You can get the Jaecoo as a plug-in hybrid

As good as the Nissan’s hybrid system is, there’s no option of a plug-in hybrid for company car drivers. This means you’ll pay more in company car tax on the Qashqai, and the Jaecoo PHEV is also smooth, punchy and will do up to 56 miles on electric power alone.

3. The Jaecoo is better-equipped

There’s not much in it, but a range-topping Jaecoo 7 comes with more toys than a similarly-priced Qashqai. The 14.8-inch screen dwarfs the 12.3-inch display in the Nissan, and you get ventilated seats as well.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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