The added styling of the SUV-like Qashqai attracted lots of buyers, and for this second-generation car Nissan followed the same successful recipe. This model has been on sale since 2014 and features even sharper styling and an efficient range of petrol and diesel engines, with two- and four-wheel drive available also for extra flexibility.
This second-generation model took over where the old one left off but added even more efficiency, improved interior tech and extra safety features. It’s also much better built, being screwed together at Nissan’s UK factory in Sunderland.
There are five trim levels on offer: Visia, Acenta, n-tec, n-tec+ and Tekna, with even the entry-level model featuring some attractive equipment highlights. These include Bluetooth and steering wheel audio controls, air conditioning, electric windows all round and cruise control.
Upgrading to the Acenta model adds USB connectivity, dual-zone climate control, automatic headlights and wipers, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Opting for the n-tec trim level brings with it Nissan’s Smart Vision pack, including traffic sign recognition, high beam assist, lane departure warning, as well as front and rear parking sensors. This model also gets a seven-inch touchscreen sat-nav system. If you want a panoramic glass roof this comes as part of the n-tec+ model.
Go for the top of the range Tekna version and you’ll get Nissan’s Safety Shield Technology, which includes blind spot warning and a system that detects moving objects when you’re pulling out of a parking space. This model also gets 19-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats and LED headlights.
One thing is for certain: the second-generation Nissan Qashqai looks far more upmarket than the original model. The overall shape is typical crossover, with a raised ride height, roof rails and black plastic trim giving a familiar rugged off-roader look.
Up front, the Nissan Qashqai features a sharp nose with angular headlamps and distinctive LED running lights, while the twin chrome bars on the grille add a touch of interest. At the back, the LED tail-lamps wrap around the corners of the car and on to the tailgate. Nissan’s optional Ink Blue paint also really helps the Qashqai to stand out.
On top-of-the-range Nissan Qashqai Tekna models, those 19-inch alloys add some extra visual muscle, while mid-range n-tec cars get 18-inch versions and Acenta cars sport 17-inch wheels, which still look fairly good if a bit small next to the halo model.
Inside, the Nissan looks sharp and feels well built. There are sporty cowled dials and a full-colour trip computer display, while coloured ambient lighting on the centre console and gloss black trim on the dashboard give an upmarket feel.
The rest of the cabin is pretty smart, and while the standard panoramic glass roof (Tekna only) doesn’t open fully, it lets in plenty of light. Choosing Acenta trim over the Tekna means you have to forego leather for cloth.
Material quality is much improved over the old Qashqai, although there are still some harder plastics lower down in the cabin. However, it’s a good compromise between quality and robustness, as the interior feels like it will cope well with anything lifestyle buyers of this type of car will throw at it.
There are four engines available in the Qashqai range, including two petrols and two diesels.
The diesel engines available on the Nissan Qashqai come from sister company Renault. While the 109bhp 1.5-litre diesel dCi has been around for a while, constant development means it revs smoothly and is subdued at idle, all while returning excellent economy.
It delivers decent performance, too, and feels lively on the road, thanks to the combination of prompt throttle response and the precise six-speed gearbox’s well-chosen ratios. There’s a more powerful 128bhp 1.6-litre unit, but this is only available on the top-spec trim level – if you want four-wheel drive, you’ll have to go for this engine, too.
The fastest Qashqai in the range is the DIG-T 163 1.6-litre petrol turbo, introduced in January 2015. It'll do 0-62mph in 9.1 seconds and, so long as you stay on top of the gears, feels pretty quick on the move. However, if you change up too early you'll hit a nasty flat spot – forcing you to wait for the turbo to spool back up.
If you want a petrol version, however, we’d recommend the 1.2-litre DIG-T – it sprints from 0-62mph in 10.9, so is still quick enough, but the willing motor should return even better efficiency. It’s only this unit and the higher-power dCi 130 that get the option of an automatic gearbox, which is actually a CVT but shifts between its ‘ratios’ smoothly.
The old Nissan Qashqai was surprisingly fun to drive, but the latest model takes a more mature approach. Refinement has been vastly improved, with much less road and engine noise, particularly on the motorway.
In a series of corners, the Qashqai feels composed and the electrically assisted steering is direct and surprisingly weighty, while grip is strong. Active Trace Control torque vectoring helps boost agility, braking individual wheels in order to reduce understeer and deliver more positive turn-in.
Also included is Nissan’s Active Engine Brake function, which reduces jerkiness in the transmission when you lift off the throttle. Plus, the Body Motion Control constantly dabs the brakes to smooth out body movement over bumps. It works well, particularly at low speed, but hit a series of imperfections and the ride gets fidgety as the brakes and dampers fight to keep control.
This is rarely a problem around town, where the high driving position, light controls and decent visibility make the Nissan easy to navigate through crowded streets. Unfortunately, only the range-topping Tekna gets park assist (which steers the car into parking spaces) and a 360-degree camera system.
However, things are better when it comes to safety, as experts at Euro NCAP awarded the new Qashqai the full five stars, with the car scoring well in the adult and child occupant categories.
Nissan has improved things with its Safety Shield technology, which features heavily in the new Qashqai. It comprises clever features like front collision avoidance (autonomous braking), lane departure warning, drowsiness detection, blind spot warning, traffic sign recognition and cameras to help you park and detect moving objects behind when you’re reversing – the Qashqai will park itself, too.
Overall, though, there’s still decent legroom in the rear, and the transmission tunnel doesn’t intrude on the middle-seat passenger’s foot space.
However, the Acenta Premium grades and above come with a panoramic glass roof, which cuts into headroom. There’s more space in models without this addition, but the combination of small side windows and black trim makes the Qashqai’s cabin quite dark.
As you’d expect of a car aimed at families, the interior is packed full of useful storage. There’s a large glovebox and several cubbies that are perfect for odds and ends. An electric handbrake also frees up the centre console for extra stowage and cup-holders, which have been mounted lower down so as to not impinge when changing gear.
However, the Acenta Premium grades and above come with a panoramic glass roof, which cuts into headroom. There’s more space in models without this addition, but the combination of small side windows and black trim makes the Qashqai’s cabin quite dark.
As you’d expect of a car aimed at families, the interior is packed full of useful storage. There’s a large glovebox and several cubbies that are perfect for odds and ends. An electric handbrake also frees up the centre console for extra stowage and cup-holders, which have been mounted lower down so as to not impinge when changing gear.
The new Nissan Qashqai is impressively economical, especially the 1.5 dCi diesel, which claims 74.3mpg and is road tax free with excellent CO2 figures of 99g/km. That means it’ll be a good company car, too.
The 1.6-litre diesel is similarly frugal claiming 64.2mpg and 115g/km of CO2, while opting for the excellent Xtronic CVT auto on this model only penalises things slightly with 61.4mpg and 119g/km. The impact of four-wheel drive is much greater though, as the 1.6 dCi all-wheel drive returns a claimed 57.6mpg with 129g/km CO2.
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