Nissan Qashqai n
NO disrespect intended, but when Nissan’s new SUV was first launched back in 2007, many wondered whether naming a car after a desert dwelling nomadic tribe from South West Iran would guarantee sales in Europe?
Nissan obviously thought and hoped so, because that’s where the name for their then-quirky looking Qashqai came from.
And with hindsight, it’s proved to be a marketing masterstroke, giving Nissan their biggest share of the UK market for yonks. It’s been a very strong seller for the Japanese manufacturer for a long time now, and you don’t get to be that by being average.
To stay favoured by so many motorists is testimony to the work put in by Nissan’s engineers at Cranfield and the build team in Sunderland to hone and improve an already good car.
Nearly two decades ago, it sparked the obsession with compact SUVs as it brought together in one reasonably compact package the best of all worlds: the fun-to-drive dynamic abilities more usually associated with conventional passenger cars as well as the tougher stance, excellent interior packaging and commanding seating position of an SUV.
It still does, but then again so do the offerings from just about every other manufacturer, so the competition is cut-throat.
Despite a few nips and tucks over the years it still unmistakably a Qashqai, with a neat new grille and LED lights front and rear, and a smart new interior that features a decent level of finish. And there’s an easy to use centrally mounted touchscreen that features Google Earth mapping so you can spot your own house from a few miles away.
Qashqai is all very neatly laid out inside and very well equipped, with a good driving position with plenty head, leg and shoulder room. With the panoramic glass roof the interior becomes very light and airy – great on a sunny day, sadly the like of which has not been seen for a wee while.
Its real appeal? It’s a decent size hatchback with the practicalities of an off roader, in that it has the ability to swallow your average family, their luggage, the obligatory dog and a few boxes if needed in its adaptable interior. And there’s plenty oddment storage for added convenience.
The ride quality has to my mind always been good but that hasn’t stopped them tweaking the suspension over time to make ride comfort that little bit better and the Qashqai itself a touch more responsive to steering inputs.
Impressive is its ability to swiftly and safely pull away at a roundabout or junction – the three cylinder e-POWER hybrid here give you the immediate response of an EV. A fine unit indeed.
Qashqai is a credit to Nissan’s Britishness – designed in London, developed down the road at Cranfield and built in Sunderland. A British Japanese car that’s been an undoubted success.
Nissan Qashqai N-DESIGN e-POWER
Price: £39,680
Engine: 1.5 litre, three cylinder, petrol/electric
Power: 202bhp
Torque: 243lb/ft
Transmission: automatic
Top speed: 105mph
0-62mph: 7.6 seconds
Economy: 61.4mpg
CO2 emissions: 104g/km
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