Review: Nissan Qashqai

The Qashqai has been around for almost 18 years and it is fair to say it kickstarted the trend for SUVs that has remained a constant ever since.

With sales of more than four million in 100 countries and claims of being the fastest-selling car ever in the UK, it has been a phenomenal success for Nissan. And to cap it all it is made in Sunderland.

But despite this success, Nissan has not rested on its laurels and continues to improve the Qashqai on a regular basis.

The third generation model was launched almost four years ago and it is already time for a refresh both in looks and in technology.

A couple of months ago the latest Qashqai rolled off the production lines, before which a more than £30m upgrade was carried out to the equipment and infrastructure of the factory.

New Qashqai has a more dynamic front with a really impressive-looking front grille, said to have been inspired by the patterns found of ancient Japanese armour scales.

It has new and more efficient headlights and the rear lights have undergone a minor tweak.

Wheels are diamond cut alloys - 18in to 20in depending on grade - and there are new body colours: Pearl White, Deep Ocean and Pearl Black.

An extra grade has been added - N-Design - which is even bolder than the others.This and the grade below (Tekna+) have padded Alcantara interiors on just about every conceivable surface.

Ambient lighting with different settings add to the luxury feel of the cabin.

Technological upgrades include a crisper and clearer around view monitor which now has eight different camera points on the 3D function.Together with the moving object detection system is alerts the driver to hazards in the vehicles proximity.

My favourite addition though has to be a full complement of Google services - a first for Nissan Europe. The previous model had some Google software but now the system is fully voice controlled using the command Hey Google to the on-board assist.

Don’t like Google assist? Then there is the option to upgrade with a subscription to Amazon’s Alexa.

The autonomous braking systems have been sharpened and other safety kit tweaked.

During our week together I took the Nissan Qashqai to the Yorkshire coast for a family get-together.

It performed admirably, swallowing up five people and their luggage with ease and tackling the twisty turns and steep hills encountered on our route without complaint.

It was powered by the e-Power petrol engine. In common with other such systems the petrol engine generates the electricity which drives the wheels and produces instant response.

During braking even more electricity is generated and sent to the battery.

There’s another very clever function. Set the e-Pedal Step and the drive is controlled by the accelerator. Remove your foot and the car will come to an almost stop with the brake only needed for the last few yards.

There are no complaints about comfort, either.Plenty of room for all with head and legroom generous and a decent-sized boot.

As Nissan would say: Nissan Qashqai: the original and now even better.

Nissan Qashqai

Price: From £30,135

Engine: e-Power petrol

Power: 187bhp

Torque: 243b/ft

Transmission: Automaticl

Top speed: 105mph

0-62mph: 7.9 seconds

Economy: 53.3mpg

CO 2 emissions:119g/km