Nissan Squash-me
 

Hired one of these yesterday - I went for pokeyish hatch class and got one of these. Always keen to try new cars so I grabbed the keys with interest.

Appearance - rather "blobby" and a lot of grey plastic. Not a looker.

Interior - pretty good for a Nissan. Slightly plasticky but well specced, good climate control, slightly fiddly but decent stereo and comfortable seats. Rear visibility is pretty poor. Rear boot was small with a very high lip. Doors clunked shut nicely.

Engine - no idea why power but the 4 pot 2.0 litre pertrol engine actually sounded quite nice - not far off a flat 6. Bit of poke but liked revving; a 4WD needs diesel torque or a turbo'd petrol.

Handling - oh dear. Crashed over small bumps yet wallowed around corners like the suspension was filled with porridge. Road noise/tyre roar made a mobile hands free conversation almost impossible at 80..I mean 70 mph on the motorway. As a comparison, I can just about do the same in our "rough as old boots" Jimny soft top. In our Astra, I can easily talk at 90... I mean 70.

Brakes - very strong, confidence inspiring - which was needed with such poor handling.

The car led me to think "Why?"

If you must have a soft roader and it has to be Japanese made then maybe but the Ford Kuga makes it looks overpriced and rather silly. As does the name Quashqui.

If I had to have a soft roader and it had to be Japanese, I'd have another Forester. The Kuga does look good, though.

This did manage a tad over 30mpg and I drove it like a loon. Not easy in a Forester!

They are about 2345235233636 times better though.