Overall rating:

Improved economy, greater performance and additional equipment add appeal to Nissan's Qashqai. The family segment genre-busting crossover remains at the top of its game, though it's no longer the only player in the niche it created.

Key Facts

Model tested: Nissan Qashqai 1.6 dCi Pure Drive 2wd Stop/Start
Pricing: £19,695 - £24,345
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: five-door crossover
Rivals: Kia Sportage, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4
CO₂ emissions: 119g/km
Combined economy: 62.8mpg
Top speed: 118mph
0-62mph: 10.3 seconds
Power: 128bhp at 4,000rpm
Torque: 236lb.ft at 1,750rpm

In the Metal:

A familiar sight on British roads, the UK-built Nissan Qashqai has been a resounding success. Familiarity has done little to lessen its visual appeal, so the Qashqai remains fresh and interesting compared to the conventional family hatchbacks it competes against. Higher specification models look better thanks to larger alloy wheels, privacy glass on the rear windows, a panoramic roof and silver roof rails, and the Qashqai still appeals when put up against newer rivals like Kia's edgy Sportage.

Inside it's all pretty familiar too, which means a functional if not exactly exciting interior. The plastics are a bit scratchy and shiny in places, but it feels like it will put up with the sort of abuse a typical family will mete out.

Driving it:

Key change here is the addition of a 1.6-litre dCi 'Pure Drive' turbodiesel engine. The Pure Drive tag means it emits less than 130g/km, this new unit emitting 119g/km thanks to energy recuperation and stop-start systems. That's sure to have fleet buyers salivating, and on the road the new 1.6-litre engine does a pretty convincing job of delivering good economy - with an official economy figure of 62.8mpg - combined with easy driveability. It's smooth too, without the narrow band of power that often blights turbodiesels - the 1.6-litre's spread of power is surprisingly linear. It's not going to win any drag races, but it does major in refined and largely effortless driving. The six-speed manual's gearing might be set up for economy, but the 1.6-litre turbodiesel works well in combination with it - though it would benefit from a more positive shift action.

The suspension provides decent comfort, only larger bumps causing some unwanted bounce on the road. Steering weighting is fine, but there's precious little feel through the thick-rimmed wheel itself. Comfortable, capable and refined, it's a rounded family car, that'll do everything well, if not with any real flair.

What you get for your Money:

Even entry-level Visia models come with alloy wheels, air conditioning, Bluetooth, ESP and six airbags, though it's worth spending more on the Acenta grade for parking sensors, cruise control, USB audio input and body coloured door mirrors and door handles. N-tec+ gains more again, with Nissan's clever 'Around View Monitor' parking cameras giving 360-degree vision, 18-inch wheels, a panoramic glass roof, privacy glass and roof rails. Tekna completes the trim levels; it's fully loaded to include leather, premium audio and xenon headlamps.

Worth Noting

Opt for satnav and the surround view system and you'll be eyeballing the lower portion of the centre console. The screen for both is low and small. We think that Nissan needs to raise it above the central air vents on top of the dashboard for clearer reading and ease of use.

Go for the 4x4 version and fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions worsen to 55.4mpg and 135g/km respectively.

Summary

Nissan's Qashqai may no longer be the only crossover in the family car marketplace, but it remains a difficult one to beat. Greater economy, lower emissions and respectable performance combine with the new 1.6-litre dCi engine to make it worth spending the extra it costs over the 1.5-litre. No need to pay more for the 2.0-litre either.