Designed in London, engineered in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, and to be made in one of the world’s most successful car plants – take a bow, Sunderland – this is an all-new Qashqai, the third-generation of a five-million seller and out to enhance its standing as the original compact crossover.
There’s new styling, a new platform, bigger wheels, an all-electrified powertrain line-up, a tad more space and more features. It’s grown a little, shed some weight (thanks to composite hatchback and aluminium doors) and grown plusher inside. But in essence it remains the high-riding “soft-roader” hatchback alternative it has always been.
You can blame the Qashqai’s success for this all-new version not being as individual looking as it was – the market is awash with cars like this today and some generic design cues, like the vertical slashes and “floating” roof, are inevitable. It’s still just about recognisable as a Qashqai – and certainly head-on the V grille makes sure you know it’s a Nissan – while coming across as more clean cut and crisp, with sharper lines and a stronger stance on its new 20-inch alloys.