Nissan Qashqai Gets Top NCAP Driver Assistance Rating
Published Date: 12th May 2022
NCAP has given Nissan’s ProPilot with Navi-Link semi-autonomous driving system top marks in its latest review of ‘Assisted Driving Systems’.
ProPilot with Navi-Link is Nissan’s state-of-the-art semi-autonomous driver tech that offers a range of driver assistance and safety technologies.
The ProPilot system on the Qashqai model was given an overall rating of ‘Very Good’, although it seems somewhat understated, it is the top mark that can be awarded.
The Nissan Qashqai one of the most popular Crossover/SUVs in the UK, was also awarded Best In Class in the Small Off-Road category by Euro NCAP.
The assessment is split into two parts; ‘assistance competence’ in which the Qashqai’s ProPilot with Navi-Link system scored 74% and ‘safety backup’ in which it scored an impressive 93%.
NCAP Assistance Competence Tests
The ‘assistance competence’ testing was divided into four parts; the clarity of information available to the driver (scored 20 out of 25), the visibility of the system, (scored 20.9 out of 25), the ‘steering assistance’ test which uses an S bend test at 62mph (scored 30 out of a possible 35) .
The final test was for ‘driving collaboration’. It accesses how well the system responds to driver intervention to avoid a potential collision or obstacle; the Qashqai’s ProPilot with Navi-Link system achieved the maximum score of 25 in this category.
In the tests the Qashqai’s adaptive cruise control system coped well in several scenarios; including approaching slow moving traffic ahead, reacting to a vehicle cutting across the front and kudos was also given for the fact that the system was still operational while the Qashqai is stationary.
NCAP Safety Backup Test
The ‘safety backup tests’ are design to check fallback scenarios, in the case of a system or component failure, or in the event the driver is being too reliant on the systems and becomes potentially complacent.
The first test is called ‘system failure’ (scored the maximum 25 marks). The assessment was how the system copes and warns the driver of a potential failure in whole or part, for example failure of a sensor. The NCAP test summarised that the ProPilot system gave prompt and specific warnings, alerting the driver to what systems may not be available.
The next test assessed how the ProPilot technology prevented the driver from being over-reliant on the system (it scored 20 out of a possible 25).
The Qashqai’s ProPilot system constantly monitors that the driver has at least one hand on the steering wheel. When it detects no hands on the wheel, a visual and audio warning is triggered, if will then slowly bring the vehicle to a standstill should the driver still not put a hand on the steering wheel.
The final test was for collision avoidance, in which the Qashqai’s ProPilot system scored an impressive 48.4 out of 50. These tests included the ability to avoid a stationary car on a bend, approaching a braking or a slower moving car ahead, avoiding a car pulling into the lane just ahead or a car ahead switching lanes to reveal another vehicle in front.
The latest third generation Nissan Qashqai is packed with the latest driver tech including a head-up display that projects useful info like speed/navigation options on the windscreen, helping the driver avoid taking their eyes of the road.
Other features include intelligent headlights which can automatically adjust the shape and brightness of the beam and blind spot monitoring that works in conjunction with lane keeping/warning technology. Rear cross traffic alert can help avoid a collision when reversing out of a parking space, while the adaptive cruise control uses radar to monitor the road ahead.
You can compare the latest Nissan Qashqai models, deals and explore full specs here.