The compact SUV market is a competitive segment where only the strongest and most versatile products can win lasting attention. In this field, two models stand out for their strength and good reputation, and are still able to achieve monthly sales of over 10,000 units in the current fierce competition. They are the Volkswagen Tuyue and the Nissan Qashqai. Both cars have undergone changes in 2023, let’s see which one suits your preferences better.
The SAIC Volkswagen Tuyue has become a new force in the compact SUV market. After the Tiguan L upgraded to a mid-size SUV, Tuyue has become the main player in this segment for SAIC Volkswagen. The official price of the new Tuyue is 15.86-21.66 million yuan. We chose the more popular 300TSI two-wheel drive full moon edition, which offers competitive configuration and performance for a guided price of 18.16 million yuan.
The Nissan X-Trail, as an important model in the compact SUV segment, has gained more attention in the market with its new design and powertrain system. This upgrade includes four configurations, with prices ranging from 13.99 to 17.49 million yuan. We chose the 1.3T CVT flagship version, which is priced at 17.49 million yuan, similar to the price of the Tuyue.
From the appearance, the Tuyue adopts a new family design, with the front grille closely connected to the headlights on both sides, and the LED light strip running through, giving the vehicle a more stylish look. It also offers two different styles to choose from, a more luxurious chrome style and a more sporty black style. The all-new Xiaoke adopts a magnetic flow design concept, with a new Double V-Motion front face and unique headlight styling, presenting high recognition. Compared to the Tuyue, the Xiaoke’s appearance is smaller, and the rugged style of the Tuyue is more suitable for a wider range of people. The interior design of both cars keeps up with the trend of the times. The Tuyue uses Volkswagen’s new design language, and the more textured color scheme can enhance the luxury of the car’s interior. Excellent workmanship and materials are also the consistent advantages of SAIC Volkswagen. The Tuyue has many soft wrap materials and belongs to the first-tier level of joint venture compact SUVs.
The interior of the RAV4 uses the same new design as the overseas version, which is much more stylish and visually appealing than the old model. The asymmetrical style and clear layout make it a very modern interior design in the same class of products. The combination of light and dark colors looks fresh and not greasy, making it a successful upgrade.
Both cars have intelligent car systems. The Touareg’s car screen is 12 inches, with not only car networking but also phone mapping functions like CarPlay, meeting the needs of different users. The interface design is simple and clear, and the functions are easy to find. The Qashqai’s interface design is more complex, with not only car networking but also remote control and adaptive voice recognition. Both cars are equipped with L2 level assisted driving, which is also a feature that Chinese users are paying more attention to. The interior space of the two cars is comparable, with the Touareg being larger in external dimensions, resulting in a certain advantage in headroom. The Qashqai’s interior space performance is also good, reflecting the Japanese product’s expertise in space utilization. In terms of comfort, the Touareg seats can provide good support, with the rear seats also being suitable in width, providing a comfortable experience for both the front and rear passengers. The Qashqai’s seats are softer, in line with Nissan’s traditional style, with heated front seats and adjustable rear seat backrest angles.
In terms of power, both cars have joined a new power system. The Tuyue uses a new 1.5T engine instead of the previous 1.4T product, with 118kW/250N·m data. The Xiaoke is equipped with a 1.3T turbocharged engine with a maximum power of 116 kW and peak torque of 270 N·m. The Tuyue has a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, while the Xiaoke has a CVT transmission, continuing their respective brand traditions.
For these two versatile products, there are no faults in terms of space, configuration, brand, power, or price. The only difference is in the product style, with the SAIC Volkswagen Tuyue having a tougher appearance, larger body size, more delicate interior, and thoughtful detail configurations. The X-Trail looks more youthful and also has rich configuration functions.