Qashqai facelift leaves you smiling

FACELIFTING the Nissan Qashqai must have been like handling a priceless Chinese vase. One small slip and it’s a costly disaster.

The Qashqai must be worth thousands of Ming vases to Nissan because not only has it taken the place of slow-selling saloons and hatchbacks in the company’s catalogue but it has sold in vast numbers.

Unbelievably the Qashqai is the UK’S third best-selling car this year – and that’s not best-selling crossover, that’s overall.

So there are no big surprises with this facelift. According to Nissan, Qashqai customers wanted more refinement and quality both in the driving experience and environment inside and outside the car.

This isn’t particularly surprising as owners are unlikely to want more road noise, a harsher ride and a car that looks cheaper and scuzzier than the last one. Of course they’re going to want a better car for their money. And Nissan has largely delivered it.

Never a looker, the Qashqai has a redesigned front end that Nissan Qashqai Tekna+ five-door SUV

Price: £29,250

Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder, 161bhp 0-62mph: 8.9sec

Fuel consumption: 47.1mpg

appears considerably less bland than the original 2007 version. We’re testing the £29,250 Tekna+ model which is a new flagship grade introduced this year and which has a few more vents on the front bumper to give an even more distinctive look. The bonnet’s new, too, and has sharper creases. Without doubt the Qashqai looks better for these changes.

The Tekna+ comes with nappa

Continental Tyres has carried out a survey that taps into drivers’ views about driverless or autonomous cars. The results are interesting, especially to someone like me who is pretty cynical about the subject. Of the 2,000 drivers who took part, 37%...