Used Nissan Qashqai cars

The style of the car

The Nissan Qashqai is a mid-size SUV (Nissan calls it a crossover) that’s one of the most popular cars of its type. It’s about the same size as hatchbacks such as the Ford Focus but has a higher ride height and rugged SUV design details. The styling was updated in 2017, with a larger front grille design and slight changes to the front and rear lights.

How it drives

The Qashqai is reassuring and comfortable to drive, with a commanding driving position that gives a good view out and a solid, secure feel on the road. It’s compact enough to make nipping around town easy and parking sensors are standard on all models. It’s quiet on the motorway and some models have adaptive cruise control that matches the speed of the car in front. There’s a choice of petrol or diesel engines, some of which are available with an automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive. The 4WD diesel model is best for towing.

The interior

The Qashqai is a five-seat SUV that’s about the same size as the Ford Kuga or Skoda Karoq. It isn’t as spacious as some rivals but it’s roomy enough for most families and there’s more boot space than in family hatchbacks such as the Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf. All models have air con and smartphone connectivity; high-spec models are very well equipped. More tech was added when the Qashqai was updated in 2017. 

Running costs and reliability

Manual petrol Qashqai models give fuel economy of 40-50mpg, according to official figures, while diesels give around 50mpg. Those numbers go down with an automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive. Road tax costs are low and insurance should be inexpensive.

How the Nissan Qashqai compares with similar cars

The Nissan Qashqai is smaller than Nissan’s seven-seater X-Trail but larger than the Juke compact SUV. It’s a rival for cars such as the SEAT Ateca and Peugeot 3008 and it has been a huge hit with buyers thanks to its blend of SUV looks, comfortable drive and wealth of high-tech features.