It’s the life-easing combination of a high-up driving position (great for seeing over traffic and improving sight-lines in the city), roomy cabin within the confines of an easy-to-park, compact SUV, a decent-sized boot and the fact that they’re good fun to drive.
My best Qashqai story over the years? I was test-driving a second generation Qashqai from the press fleet when - unexpectedly - Nissan asked if they could take it back at short notice. Days later I turned on the TV news and spotted it - repainted from top to bottom in the Union Flag - being driven by then prime minister David Cameron and French president Francois Hollande along Downing Street, to mark a trade deal. ‘My’ car was suddenly in the limelight.
I’ve driven several different Qashqais since then and enjoyed them all; now Nissan has introduced two new 1.3 petrol versions to broaden the range’s appeal and to cater for those shying away from diesel.
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It comes in two guises; a 138bhp version producing 138bhp or 158bhp, both promising better performance, improved fuel consumption and lower emissions, compared to the petrol engines they replace. The 138bhp model hits the benchmark 62mph from a standstill in 10.5 seconds, while the 158bhp model does it in 9.9.
I drove the more powerful 158bhp model, which has a claimed top speed of 123mph. Very smooth it is too, mated to a smooth-changing seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. There’s plenty of power on tap, while the engine also offers a good level of refinement and motorway long-leggedness.
Other good news is that it drives as well as ever, with nice, direct steering in town, making it particularly manoeuvrable and easy to park. The ride quality is good too - even over speed bumps and potholes. Out on the open road it handles tidily and is comfortable, making it a good compromise for those who want something not too big and intrusive in town, but still easily capable of longer journeys with your kids in the back.
Qashqai Tekna Nissan
(Nissan)
The other big change is to the infotainment system which, Nissan claims, is easier and more intuitive. NissanConnect includes Apple Carplay or Android Auto compatibility (except on entry-level models), as well as over-the-air updates and TomTom Services. It features a new app, ‘Door-to-Door Navigation’ letting the user plan a route before leaving the home, then sending the destination to the car.
In use, it was straightforward and - as Nissan promised - easy to use, even if the screen is still on the small side and even if the touchscreen doesn’t really feel any simpler than pushing a button, especially when you’re jolting over a bumpy road...
On the Tekna+ version I drove, there were lots of bells and whistles; standard equipment includes Intelligent Park Assist and ‘Safety Shield’ comprising Intelligent Driver Alert, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Moving Object Detection. It also had High Beam Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition and Intelligent Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Recognition. In other words, all those ‘building blocks’ towards the truly autonomous car, when you don’t actually ‘control’ it at all.
Which - in the case of the Qashqai - would be rather a shame, because it is fun to drive.
