Likes
- Attractive and appealing design
- Very affordable, especially when used
- Good levels of practicality
- Umm…
Used Nissan Dualis review
2006 - 2013
Dislikes
- Terrible reputation for quality
- Tech is feeling very old
- Becoming riddled with issues
- Practicality is compromised
Stuff you should know
Not really a hatchback but really an SUV, the Nissan Dualis (or Qashqai as it’s called outside of Australia) attempted to be many things to many people, however, this approach rarely results in success.
Sales success was near guaranteed for Nissan (with many in the company calling the Qashqai the Qash-cow), but now the budget-built crossover is getting on in age, and with many having traveled thousands of kilometres, should they be considered in the used car market at all?
The first-generation (J10) Dualis/Qashqai received a mid-life update in 2010 featuring a more angular front end, re-shaped bonnet, grille, bumpers, headlights and air intake.
The line-up was also revised with improved equipment levels and 2010 also saw the introduction of the seven-seat Dualis+2.
In 2013, the TS diesel variant was introduced, powered by Renault’s 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
What goes wrong
- CVT automatics are having major and expensive issues
- EGR problems
- DPF problems
- Steering and suspension issues beginning to occur
- Exterior trim failures
- Electrical gremlins
- Switch gear issues
- Tail light electrical issues
- Wheel bearing issues
- Suspension struts leaking
- CVT automatics are having major and expensive issues
- EGR problems
- DPF problems
- Steering and suspension issues beginning to occur
- Exterior trim failures
- Electrical gremlins
- Switch gear issues
- Tail light electrical issues
- Wheel bearing issues
- Suspension struts leaking
- CVT automatics are having major and expensive issues
- EGR problems
- DPF problems
- Steering and suspension issues beginning to occur
- Exterior trim failures
- Electrical gremlins
- Switch gear issues
- Tail light electrical issues
- Wheel bearing issues
- Suspension struts leaking
Should you buy it?
In short, no.
While we are sure there are people out there that own Dualis/Qashqai that genuinely like them and have experienced very few issues, the potential problems looming are far too probable in our opinion.
Not only are they ageing very poorly, they were quite average even when new.
Plus, when there is a large choice of far better alternatives out there for similar money, we can only recommend against buying the problem-riddled Nissan.
In short, no.
While we are sure there are people out there that own Dualis/Qashqai that genuinely like them and have experienced very few issues, the potential problems looming are far too probable in our opinion.
Not only are they ageing very poorly, they were quite average even when new.
Plus, when there is a large choice of far better alternatives out there for similar money, we can only recommend against buying the problem-riddled Nissan.
Should you buy it?
In short, no.
While we are sure there are people out there that own Dualis/Qashqai that genuinely like them and have experienced very few issues, the potential problems looming are far too probable in our opinion.
Not only are they ageing very poorly, they were quite average even when new.
Plus, when there is a large choice of far better alternatives out there for similar money, we can only recommend against buying the problem-riddled Nissan.
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Models, pricing & features
Tech specs
Body Styles
- 5 door Hatchback
Engine Specs
- 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 102kW / 198Nm (ST 2007 – 2013, Ti 2007 – 2013, 2 ST 2010 – 2013, 2 Ti 2010 – 2013, Ti-L 2012 – 2013, 2 Ti-L 2012 – 2013)
- 1.6 litre, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 96kW / 320Nm (TS 2013)
Transmission
- 6-speed Manual (ST, Ti, Ti-L, TS)
- 6-speed Constantly Variable Transmission (ST, Ti, 2 ST, 2 Ti, Ti-L, 2 Ti-L)
Fuel Consumption
- 6.6 – 10.9 / 100km (ST, Ti)
- 6.8 – 11.1 / 100km (2 ST, 2 Ti)
- 7.0 – 10.9 / 100km (Ti-L)
- 7.1 – 11.2 / 100km (2 Ti-L)
- 3.9 – 5.5 / 100km (TS)
Length
- 4315mm – 4541mm (All Models)
Width
- 1783mm (All Models)
Height
- 1446mm – 1645mm (All Models)
Wheelbase
- 2630mm – 2765mm (All Models)
Kerb Weight
- 1623kg (All Models)
Towing
- 685kg (unbraked) – 1400kg (braked) (All Models)
Ancap Ratings
- 4 stars (ST)
- 5 stars (Ti, ST, 2 ST, 2 Ti, Ti-L, 2 Ti-L, TS)
Body Styles
- 5 door Hatchback
Engine Specs
- 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 102kW / 198Nm (ST 2007 – 2013, Ti 2007 – 2013, 2 ST 2010 – 2013, 2 Ti 2010 – 2013, Ti-L 2012 – 2013, 2 Ti-L 2012 – 2013)
- 1.6 litre, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 96kW / 320Nm (TS 2013)
Transmission
- 6-speed Manual (ST, Ti, Ti-L, TS)
- 6-speed Constantly Variable Transmission (ST, Ti, 2 ST, 2 Ti, Ti-L, 2 Ti-L)
Fuel Consumption
- 6.6 – 10.9 / 100km (ST, Ti)
- 6.8 – 11.1 / 100km (2 ST, 2 Ti)
- 7.0 – 10.9 / 100km (Ti-L)
- 7.1 – 11.2 / 100km (2 Ti-L)
- 3.9 – 5.5 / 100km (TS)
Length
- 4315mm – 4541mm (All Models)
Width
- 1783mm (All Models)
Height
- 1446mm – 1645mm (All Models)
Wheelbase
- 2630mm – 2765mm (All Models)
Kerb Weight
- 1623kg (All Models)
Towing
- 685kg (unbraked) – 1400kg (braked) (All Models)
Ancap Ratings
- 4 stars (ST)
- 5 stars (Ti, ST, 2 ST, 2 Ti, Ti-L, 2 Ti-L, TS)
Body Styles
- 5 door Hatchback
Engine Specs
- 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder petrol, 102kW / 198Nm (ST 2007 – 2013, Ti 2007 – 2013, 2 ST 2010 – 2013, 2 Ti 2010 – 2013, Ti-L 2012 – 2013, 2 Ti-L 2012 – 2013)
- 1.6 litre, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 96kW / 320Nm (TS 2013)
Transmission
- 6-speed Manual (ST, Ti, Ti-L, TS)
- 6-speed Constantly Variable Transmission (ST, Ti, 2 ST, 2 Ti, Ti-L, 2 Ti-L)
Fuel Consumption
- 6.6 – 10.9 / 100km (ST, Ti)
- 6.8 – 11.1 / 100km (2 ST, 2 Ti)
- 7.0 – 10.9 / 100km (Ti-L)
- 7.1 – 11.2 / 100km (2 Ti-L)
- 3.9 – 5.5 / 100km (TS)
Length
- 4315mm – 4541mm (All Models)
Width
- 1783mm (All Models)
Height
- 1446mm – 1645mm (All Models)
Wheelbase
- 2630mm – 2765mm (All Models)
Kerb Weight
- 1623kg (All Models)
Towing
- 685kg (unbraked) – 1400kg (braked) (All Models)
Ancap Ratings
- 4 stars (ST)
- 5 stars (Ti, ST, 2 ST, 2 Ti, Ti-L, 2 Ti-L, TS)
Warranty & servicing
Warranty
- 3 years / 100,000 km (All Models)
Servicing
- 10,000 km / 6 months (All Models)
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Disclaimer
Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.
Information correct as of Feb 23, 2024.
The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
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