2018 Nissan Qashqai with ProPilot first drive: Ace cruiser
Nissan’s first-generation Qashqai was the breakout hit of 2006, the car that suddenly everyone wanted a piece of. There were other choices around, but it’s the Qashqai that really embodies the SUV boom of the last 10 years, and the car has been hovering near the top end of the UK sales charts ever since.
The tricky transition to second-generation model was handled with aplomb, and we’ve had the larger, sleeker version of the medium-sized family SUV with us since 2014, with a mild refresh last year in 2017. Clearly you can teach an old dog new tricks, especially as evidenced by this new ProPilot option on the Qashqai range.
First impressions?
Nissan’s overall styling is pleasant, but the Qashqai is a victim of its own success, turning out essentially rather anonymous. If you want to stand out, you’d better look elsewhere. There’s a decent amount of room inside, however, and the ride is comfortable. Nissan made a point when the car was refreshed last year of mentioning the extra sound deadening it had put in for added refinement – it’s certainly helped.
It's an accomplished car and you can see straight away what has made it such a strong seller.
More on the Nissan Qashqai:
How does it drive?
The new ProPilot smart cruise control is why we’re here though – and it’s important at the beginning to try and pick our way past the dreaded mention of ‘autonomous’ driving ...
