Nissan Quashqai +2 news - Qash' converter - 2008

As if an SUV-hatchback-five-seat-crossover-thingy wasn't confusing enough, Nissan has gone and stuck another couple of seats in the back of its genre-busting Qashqai to completely scupper any chance we ever had of categorising the damn thing.

Actually, the Qashqai+2 (yes, really) is a bit more than just a five-seater with a rear bench wedged in. It is taller and longer than the standard Qashqai - in fact, Nissan says it is completely new behind the A-pillars. Nissan also says the Qashqai+2 is 'the first Family Crossover', but we'll let that slide.

The Qashqai's wheelbase has been extended by some 14cm, while the roofline is four centimentres higher, too. So, as well as an admittedly cramped rear bench which folds flat to the floor, that means there's more leg- and headroom for the rest of the passengers - no bad thing, that.

If you're looking closely for differences, you might spot the revised rear bumper, deeper rear window and squarer front door frames. You probably won't, though.

The engine line-up remains the same as the five-seater - a pair of petrols and a duo of diesels - and you can still spec your bigger Qashqai with two- or four-wheel drive.

So that's a two-wheel, four-wheel-drive SUV with five and seven seats? All a bit much for a Monday morning, really.