It’s hard to believe that more than 20 years have passed since Nissan used the Geneva Motor Show to unveil a concept car that would go on to shape the world of family motoring in the years that followed.
The Qashqai was first revealed in concept form back in 2004 before entering production two years later, and was one of the first compact SUVs to go on sale across the Europe.
Now, that same segment is one of the most competitive in the marketplace with the result that ‘old favourites’ like the Qashqai have had to evolve in order to keep their place at the top of the sales charts.
So how good is the current version of the Nissan Qashqai, which first hit showrooms in 2021 and was given a facelift in 2024?
Nissan Qashqai Exterior
The third generation Qashqai was already one of the more attractive compact SUVs on the road, but the facelift added an extra layer of style to a package that is already Nissan’s biggest seller in the UK.
Although many of the 2024 tweaks to the exterior are on the subtle side, the biggest change is the introduction of a new grille that takes inspiration from the all-electric Ariya.
That big, bold grille – which Nissan says is inspired by Japanese body armour – makes a real impact on the eye, and looks a lot sharper than much of the competition.
Slim headlights that slice through the bodywork and fresh air intakes heighten the visual appeal, whilst there are also tweaks to the rear- with clear lights, a neat and tidy diffuser and an exhaust that is hidden away from view.
Rear privacy glass makes the car appear to have two large windows when viewed from a side profile, with Nissan having put plenty of work into making the Qashqai one of the best looking SUVs around.
Nissan Qashqai Interior
Whilst other people can admire the looks of the Qashqai when you’re driving down the road, your focus will understandably be on the inside – which is a nice place to be.
The Qashqai is offered in five different trim levels and the mid-range Tekna specification is one of the most popular. Here, you’ll benefit from quilted premium leather seats that are offered in a range of different colours, and which can be set up to automatically revert to the ideal position for a range of different drivers thanks to Nissan’s Advanced Intelligent Key.
In fact, leather effect is a feature across the cabin of the Tekna-spec car, with no hard plastics making an appearance.
Once you’re comfortable behind the wheel, you’ll benefit from no shortage of technology which includes a large digital display to provide all the key information you could need. Head up display is also available to ensure you don’t need to take your eyes off the road and can be linked to the infotainment system to allow you to see directions to your destination in front of you.
That infotainment is controlled via a central screen that is aesthetically pleasing and easy to use with little in the way of lag time, with the system supporting both Apple Carplay and Android Auto.
There are a number of settings that you can tweak through the infotainment screen, including ambient lighting which may be the most important available but which allows you to add a personal touch to your new car. We particularly like the ability to adopt a touch of Vertu teal across the cabin…
Crucially for us though, the screen doesn’t control all of the central functions and we love the fact that the Qashqai retains ‘proper buttons’ for things like the dual zone climate control.
That means you can make changes with ease without needing to take your eyes off the road to go through a series of menus and improves usability – as does the fact that voice activation is available and there are steering wheel controls for things like answering a hands-free call or changing the volume of your radio.
Nissan Qashqai Space
When you buy an SUV, one of the main reasons for the purchase is likely to be because you want space – and on this score, the Qashqai certainly delivers.
Both up front and in the rear, the Qashqai is nice and roomy and there is ample storage space across the cabin – from a cubby beneath the armrest in the front to decent sized door pockets and cup holders in the rear armrest.
In the back, even tall adults should find they have plenty of leg and head room and you can fit three adults in the back if required, albeit you probably would prefer to do so for shorter journeys as opposed to long trips.
Isofix points mean fitting a child seat in the rear is a doddle, helped by the fact that the rear doors on the Qashqai open nice and wide to improve access.
Depending on which grade of car you choose, a panoramic sunroof can flood the interior with light to give an even greater indication of space.
Boot space is plentiful with more than 470 litres that can be expanded with the removal of the flat floor. It means you’ll be able to get all the luggage in the rear if heading away on holiday, with a remote tailgate making access as easy as possible.
Behind The Wheel of the Nissan Qashqai
On the road, the Qashqai does everything you would want a family SUV to do. The ride is comfortable – more like a hatchback than an SUV - and body lean is minimal unless you really try to take the car outside its comfort zone.
Steering is light which makes the Qashqai easy to manoeuvre, whilst you’ll also find it helpful that all-round visibility is strong and there is a handy rear parking camera with top down view.
The Tekna model we sampled came with the 1.3 litre petrol engine that benefits from a mild hybrid system, fitted alongside the six speed manual gearbox – although an automatic is also available.
The engine is responsive when you put your foot down and is also economical, with solid MPG figures that won’t hurt the wallet. Eco mode will help your fuel go that little bit further whilst there is also a Sport mode – although that isn’t suddenly going to turn the Qashqai into a sportscar.
The 1.3 litre engine delivers around 140bhp but there is a slightly more powerful version of the same unit, as well as the new e-POWER – where the petrol engine is used to generate electricity that then provides power to the wheels.
That means improved economy figures and lower running costs, albeit you’ll also have to pay more for the technology.
Vertu’s Verdict
The Qashqai is a car that has a lot of competition but there is a reason why it continues to fly out of showrooms.
In short, it’s a solid car that does a lot of things very well, and which ticks plenty of boxes for anyone looking to get behind the wheel of a compact SUV.
Ok so you won’t get loads of thrills, but that isn’t what the Qashqai is all about. Instead you’ll get is a strong all-rounder that gives value for money, a comfortable ride, ample space and on-road efficiency.
What more could you need?
- Nissan