The Nissan Qashqai is the best-selling compact crossover on sale. To ensure its appeal continues, Nissan has made some small but extensively-applied tweaks. Making the best better still, it hopes – and helping it hold onto its remarkable UK overall third best-selling car status.
The objective has been to improve an already good car, by listening to customers, finding out what they don’t like about the current one, and fixing it so they should be more likely to buy another one. There are mods across the board, from plusher design, finish and refinement, to more equipment, to better suspension and steering.
Nissan has introduced a new trim line called Tekna+. To the DAB radio that’s now standard on all Qashqai, it adds nappa leather upholstery, Bose sound system, panoramic glass roof and distinctive satin-finished roof rails.
It’s all crowned by a more distinctive front end that has an aggressive-looking grille, new headlights, tighter bonnet creases and adaptive LED headlights on top-spec models. It’s distinctive before you even step in: do so and the flat-bottom steering wheel and new seats stand out; it immediately feels nicer to sit in.
Those in the rear still don’t fare as well as those in the front, due to more austere trim, but at least the big glass roof of this Tekna+ lets in plenty of light. Everyone should find the more supple ride pleasing as well: Nissan’s set the springs softer and firmed up the front anti-roll bar to compensate. Only sharp town ridges cause a fuss, and most of that is just noise.
Nissan’s clever Active Ride Control system has been enhanced; it’s even better at using gentle brake pressure and engine braking to smooth out sleeping policemen. At speed, better noise insulation means refinement is better, and turning into corners feels eager enough for a crossover, even if it does still roll a fair bit.
Our test Qashqai used a 161bhp 1.6 DiG-T turbo petrol, which needs around 3000rpm to wake up, but is very smooth and consistent once up to speed. The alternative128bhp 1.6 dCi turbodiesel remains clattery, despite Nissan insisting it’s been retuned to make it quieter.
The Nissan Qashqai is a fundamentally well-designed and good quality car. What this facelift does is step up the comfort levels, make it smoother and sleeker to drive, and give it a smart new face that should certainly ensure interest in showrooms remains high. The competition is growing by the week, but the Qashqai still has what it takes.
Nissan Qashqai 1.6 DIG-T 163 Tekna
Location Vienna, Austria
On sale Now
Price £27,450
Engine 4 cyls, 1618cc, turbodiesel
Power 161bhp at 5600rpm
Torque 177lb ft from 2000-4000rpm
Gearbox 6-spd manual
Kerb weight 1483kg
Top speed 124mph
0-62mph 8.9sec
Economy 47.1mpg (combined)
CO2/tax band 138g/km, 26%
