Nissan Dualis
(2006 - 2013)

  • Attractive and appealing design
  • Very affordable, especially when used
  • Good levels of practicality
  • Umm…
  • Terrible reputation for quality
  • Tech is feeling very old
  • Becoming riddled with issues
  • Practicality is compromised
Watch our video review
Overview

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 travelled 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.

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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
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Model range, pricing and features

ST and ST +2

  • Price when new: $24,990 - $31,590
  • Price used: $5,000 - $20,000

The base model runs short of any standout features and we’d recommend climbing further up the food chain unless the budget is incredibly tight and the only other alternative is crawling across broken glass.

Standard features:

  • VDC (ESP)
  • 16-inch alloy wheels
  • Disc brakes
  • ABS
  • Brake Assist
  • Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD).
  • Dual front airbags
  • Power windows and mirrors
  • In-dash single CD player
  • Remote central locking
  • Cruise control
  • Air conditioning
  • Cooled glovebox
  • 12-volt power outlet
  • Immobiliser
  • VDC option receives dual side and curtain airbags & 16-inch alloy wheels
  • LCD screen with instrument cluster (from 2010)
  • Low-level lighting (from 2010)
  • Additional storage compartments (from 2010)
  • +2 variants available (from 2010)
  • Bluetooth handsfree phone, audio (from 2010)
  • Steering wheel-mounted audio controls (from 2010)
  • Cruise control functionality (from 2010)
  • MP3 compatibility (from 2010)
  • Diesel engine option (from 2012)
  • 17-inch alloy wheels (from 2013)
  • Satellite navigation (from 2013)
  • Reversing camera (from 2013)

Ti and Ti +2

  • Price when new: $27,990 - $36,890
  • Price used: $7,000 - $21,000

The mid spec when new was the sweet spot of the range but now that the used market had compressed prices, we’d recommend climbing further up the food chain.

Ti adds:

  • Heated power front leather seats
  • Six-stack in-dash CD player
  • Bluetooth compatibility
  • VDC with dual side and curtain airbags
  • 16-inch alloy wheels
  • Fog lamps
  • Auto headlamps
  • Rain-sensing wipers
  • Panoramic glass roof (from 2010)
  • 18-inch alloy wheels (from 2010)
  • Rear privacy glass (from 2010)
  • Intelligent key (from 2010)
  • Dual-zone climate control (from 2010)

Ti-L and Ti-L +2

  • Price when new: $31,540 - $39,390
  • Price used: $10,000 - $22,000

Our pick of the range. If you must buy a Dualis/Qashqai, try to find the lowest kilometre, best condition Ti-L with a full and thorough service history.

Ti-L adds:

  • Satellite navigation system
  • Nissan’s ‘Around View Monitor’ parking assist system
  • Front fog lights (from 2013)
  • Privacy glass (from 2013)

TS

  • Price when new: $30,290
  • Price used: $10,000 - $17,000

The diesel variant of the range and we strongly recommend avoiding it at all costs.

TS adds:

  • Front fog lights
  • Rear privacy glass
  • Exterior chrome highlights
  • Satellite navigation
  • Leather-trimmed steering wheel
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.

Warranty & servicing

Warranty:

3 years/100,000 kms

Servicing:

10,000kms or every 6 months

Tech specs

Body style:

  • 5-door SUV

Engines:

  • 2.0-litre 4-cyl petrol
  • 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel

Power:

  • 102kW (2.0-litre 4-cyl petrol)
  • 96kW (1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel)

Torque:

  • 198Nm (2.0-litre 4-cyl petrol)
  • 320Nm (1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel)

Transmissions:

  • 6-spd manual, front-wheel drive
  • 6-spd CVT, front-wheel drive
  • 6-spd manual, 4×4 on demand
  • 6-spd CVT, 4×4 on demand

Fuel use:

  • 4.5L – 8.4L/100km (combined depending spec)

Height:

  • 1623mm
  • 1646mm (+2)

Length:

  • 4315mm
  • 4541mm (+2)

Width:

  • 1783mm

Kerb weight:

  • 1422kg – 1495kg (Depending on variant)
Disclaimer

Information correct as of June 18, 2021.

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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