Nissan Dualis (also known as Nissan Qashqai in other markets excluding Japan and Australia) is a Compact Crossover SUV manufactured by the Japanese automobile company Nissan. The Dualis (Qashqai) was unveiled in 2006 and is currently in its third generation from 2021. The Dualis nameplate was only used on the first generation (2006 – 2013) models, with the name dropped on the second generation with the Qashqai name being used worldwide.
The Dualis is offered in four trim levels on the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) namely the 2.0 G, 2.0 S, the 2.0 G Four, and the 2.0 S Four, while in other markets outside Japan the Qashqai is offered in four main trims that follow the Nissan standard pattern which kicks off with the entry-level Visia, followed by the Acenta, then by the Qashqai 360 and lastly the top-of-the-range Tekna.
It’s fifteen years since the Dualis was released in 2006, with plenty sold since then, and plenty available on the used market. The price range for a used Nissan Dualis varies depending on the year of manufacture, trim level, and general condition. At BE FORWARD the prices of a used Dualis range between US$ 2240 and US$ 4980.
Contents
Under the Hood
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The Dualis is available with two engine choices, which are the 1.6-liter (HR16DE) and the 2.0-liter MR20DE engines, the latter being the most common. It is available in 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive options that are mated with either a five-speed manual, six-speed manual, six-speed automatic, or CVT transmission.
- The 1.6-liter (HR16DE) inline-4 DOHC petrol engine produces 117 hp and 116 lb-ft of torque. This engine has an average fuel consumption of 15.6 km/l.
- The 2.0-liter (MR20DE) inline-4 DOHC petrol engine produces 147 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque. This engine has an average fuel consumption of 11.5 km/l.
Interior & Exterior
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Interior
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The Dualis has a robust interior finished with soft-touch rubbery plastics on the top part of the dashboard, center console, and door trims. The Dualis’ cabin is solid and well put together with everything you touch and feel designed to last years.
The dashboard is ergonomically laid out, simple, functional with a clear and easy-to-read compact curved instrument panel with a five-inch touchscreen for audio (six speakers with the usual connectivity) to its left.
The Dualis has several usable storage compartments including door pockets with bottle holders, a glove box, a deep central bin, and two cup holders on the center console with one of them deep enough to swallow a 1.0-liter water bottle.
The high driving position combined with the neatly designed three-spoke steering wheel with a rake and reach adjustment is great, it offers all-round visibility. The front seats are comfortable with good support, legroom, and headroom. At the rear, the seats can accommodate three people, but two adults will be more comfortable. Rear legroom is marvelous for a car of this size.
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The Dualis has a 410-liter load area which is by far bigger than those of other cars in this category. Its wide opening door and flat load area make loading straightforward. The load area can extend to 860 liters with the 60:40 splitting rear seats folded flat.
In 2014 Nissan released the Qashqai J11 with an interior that features solutions for everyday challenges using some innovative technologies. The J11 Qashqai seats are designed using advanced medical scanning techniques inspired by NASA to analyze blood flow and pressure in the lower back of seated passengers. The outcome was some comfort which made the car sell even better.
Exterior
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The Dualis is a 5-door 5-seater that is suitable for city use as it comes with some good suspension, good ground clearance, and soundproofing for a quiet cabin.
The Dualis’ exterior dimensions are similar to those of the hatchback, but the Dualis features a compact design with sporty and rugged looks. Its contoured shape is smooth, uncluttered, and simple, which makes it one of the appealing crossovers SUVs. The Dualis comes fitted with 16-inch steel rims as standard, with 17-inch and 18-inch alloy wheels as options.
In 2010, a new version of the Dualis was released. It came with revised looks, the front end got restyled with the introduction of the latest v-motion grille by Nissan, the headlamps were also reviewed with the introduction of the boomerang daytime running light giving it a classic look.
In 2014, the second-generation Qashqai J11 was introduced for other markets winning the “What Car” car of the year award in 2014. The Qashqai has proved to be a very good brand with good vehicle abilities that made it a top seller in Europe and became Nissan’s record seller. The J11 Qashqai has good trim levels, with serene exterior looks and LED headlights (an option that is only available in premium segment cars).
Features
Standard features on the Dualis include a NissanConnect infotainment system with an intuitive 5.0-inch multi-information color display with satellite navigation and a reverse camera, and air-con as standard. Optional features include a CD/MP3 player, iPod integration, Bluetooth connectivity, fog lights, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, leather seats, 18-inch alloys wheels, and auto wipers and headlights.
Safety
The Dualis received a five-star ANCAP rating and maximum points from the EuroNCAP overall car safety tests.
Standard safety features on the Dualis include electronic stability control, six airbags, traction control, and anti-lock brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution.
Conclusion
The Nissan Dualis is a car with a good reputation, trusted reliability and comfort, and a very good driving experience. Both used and new models fair well and receive great reviews from experts and owners. From feedbacks, and from this review we can recommend the Dualis to anyone who is in the market for a compact crossover SUV, and if you are one of them, please visit BE FORWARD and checkout from our vast list your Dualis.
Originally published Apr 16, 2020, updated Dec 17, 2021
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I am a Telecom & ICT specialist with a career spanning over 15 years in the demanding Tanzanian telecom industry.
I am also an avid DIYer with a good knack for everything technical and a wealth of vocational skills, with automotive being the top, and here I am writing about cars.
In 2017 a guy created a WhatsApp group called MyCar for the sole purpose of members helping each other with all matters regarding cars. I joined this group in 2018, and with my enormous wealth of knowledge regarding cars, and my readiness to share the knowledge with others, I became a top contributor, and that didn’t go unnoticed, as one member thought I was a potential writer and had contacts with Be Forward Japan who were looking for writers then. Fast forward to January 2020, I began writing for the Be Forward blog with 2024 being my fourth year.
As far as I can remember, I love cars, and growing up in the farming and tourist city of Arusha Tanzania in the ’80s and ’90s, I ended up being drawn to the Ranger Rover Classic for leisure and Land Cruiser 70 pickup as a workhorse. These were tough cars then, cars that could take you anywhere any time no matter the weather.
