Ground-breaker is back in the game

All-new version brings pioneering crossover bang up to date, writes Matt Allan

Back in mid-2006, no-one had heard of a crossover car and Qashqai was just a really bad Scrabble hand.

Six months later, Nissan unleashed its creation on the world with a weird name and weird looks, and no exact idea of how it would be received.

As it turns out it was ridiculously well received, kickstarting an entire automotive segment. From having no rivals in 2007, today it has 30 competitors.

That’s good for egos at Nissan but also creates a headache: how do you keep this groundbreaking car at the top of a crowded segment.

Step forward the all-new third generation Qashqai built on a new platform, with new looks and technology.

The Qashqai might be designed in Britain but there’s more than a hint of the Volkswagen Group about the sharp folds and creases along its sides. The front, however, maintains a clear connection to previous models thanks to its V-Motion grille, now flanked by dramatic boomerang-shaped headlights.

Internally, the Qashqai has improved significantly. The cheap materials, poor ergonomics and awkward operation of the previous car have all been swept aside for a clearer, simpler and more user-friendly arrangement with a noticeable step up in quality.

Space has always been a Qashqai strength and with two extra centimetres in the wheelbase it’s as good as ever. Front seat passengers get roomy, supportive seats and there’s plenty of legroom and shoulder space in the back as well.

While the interior and exterior have taken huge strides the Qashqai’s drivetrain has made less progress.

Next year we’ll get the EPower range extender which uses an electric motor to drive the wheels and a petrol generator to charge the batteries. For now, there’s just a 1.3-litre petrol in 138bhp or 156bhp guise. It’s the same engine as before but with a 12V mild hybrid system that offers longer engine downtime in stop/start situations and a tiny 4lb ft of torque boost.

In 156bhp spec it offers adequate performance for dayto-day use, although it can get noisy, supplemented by quite a bit of tyre roar.

On the road, the new platform has brought improvements in the Qashqai’s behaviour. Handling and body control are much better but this does come with a slight reduction in comfort.

The range starts at £23,535 for Visia spec, which no-one will buy, but the real starting point is the Accenta, at £26,135. All versions get safety kit including auto dipping headlights, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, and emergency braking. The Accenta adds 17-inch alloys, keyless entry/start, an eight-inch touchscreen and dual-zone climate control.

Higher specs bring bigger wheels, a bigger touchscreen and more toys, such as wireless Apple CarPlay and a powered tailgate. The range tops out with the leather-upholstered Tekna+, from £34,175.

The Qashqai was groundbreaking when it launched 14 years ago. This latest version is nowhere near as earth-shattering but does breathe new life into the name. The space, comfort and practicality remain, enhanced by a new look and feel. The only letdown is that uninspiring engine and occasional lack of refinement.