Introduction

In 2006 the Nissan Qashqai replaced both the Almera and Primera, catapulting the idea that a small SUV might be a stylish substitute for your boring old family hatchback or saloon. It worked, too, and Nissan has been knocking them out at an amazing rate ever since, seemingly hitting on a winning formula that describes exactly what the buying public wants. Rivals have been playing catch up for the last decade, but the Qashqai is rightly still heading the class.

Did you know? Nissan borrowed the name Qashqai from a conglomeration of clans of Lori, Kurdish, Arab and Turkic origins renowned for their pile carpets and other wool products.

Verdict | Design | Interior | Technology | Performance | Safety | Specs | Running Costs | Pricing

Verdict: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8/10)

One of the UK’s biggest selling cars that’s built here too, the Nissan Qashqai might not be the most fun or exciting model in its class, but it’s defined by a level of competence that’s impossible to argue against.

Throw good pricing, decent specifications and economy into the mix and that’s even more true; the Qashqai may be the unimaginative choice in the segment it defined, but for most buyers it’ll unequivocally be the right one.