Nissan Qashqai review

Nissan’s big-selling, mid-sized SUV gets a few choice changes in the latest iteration – though nothing that would scare a current Qashqai buyer, of which there have been some four million since the first one appeared in 2007. So, this is bigger news than it might appear. The Qashqai is designed and built in Britain too, remember.

This third generation arrived back in 2021, but now it’s been facelifted for 2024 with a new face (grille, lights, bumpers), new rear (yup, lights and bumpers), more advanced driver assistance and better connectivity, and a bit of a tweak to the interior. The drivetrains stay the same (the 187bhp e-Power is the big seller); one of the last ICE-involved powertrains before everyone plays at 100-per cent electric.

There are also mild hybrid versions of various power outputs (the DIG-T) which also offer the option of all-wheel drive.

Space and practicality are both good – Qashqais were always a very Goldilocks proposition for a lot of family transport in terms of exterior size vs usefulness – and it’s well-priced. In a world of expensive EVs, a true family SUV starting at just over £30k feels good value. The e-Power starts at £34,430 mind, so be aware of that, even if it is the big-seller.

It is not, however, particularly inspiring on the move. Perfectly acceptable, but if you’re a TG reader you probably want to at least stay awake when driving, and the Qashqai is bland enough to sleepwalk through. It’s the glass of water of the automotive world; it’ll keep you alive, but it won’t tickle your tastebuds.

Talk me through the changes on the outside?

Ok, so the good news is that you can’t mistake the new Qashqai for the old unless you squint. It does look decently different, though the overall proportions are obviously the same; a mid-sized SUV with a fairly amorphous profile. The grille has expanded into a giant squished hexagon – plated in scales that are inspired by Samurai armour, don’tcha know – the edges of which now stretch right out to the sides of the car.

Below are re-profiled bumpers, above are LED headlights and slim daylight running lights. At the back there’s the same vibe, with slimmer rear lights that present as monochrome when dormant – and clearer and crisper when on – with a deeper red for the brake lights. Again, the rear bumper gets a massage, and there are new designs for the alloys, now up to 20-inches and including 18s and 19s.

Interestingly, you can get an ’N-Design’ grade that body-colours more of the styling elements (sills, wheelarches) and costs the same as the Tekna grade. Not sure which one we prefer, but it does make the car look a tiny bit more premium… which is what Nissan was going for. Generally it’s as per the Qashqai of old: a bit forgettable, but inoffensive.

What else is new?

The interior has new materials – the Alcantara dash wrap being actually quite nice – and there’s now a 360-degree camera for kerb-free parking, Google included in the Nissan Connected system and a host of other advanced driver assistance upgrades. It’s definitely not a root and branch change, but more keeping up with the Joneses.

Worth noting that a lot of the ‘upgrades’ are byproducts of must-be-included new GSR2 rules that mandate the amount of safety tech, so Nissan is bigging-up some stuff that it had to include anyway.

TG isn’t sure the ‘transparent bonnet’ feature (where the cameras give you a projected direct line of sight to the front wheels) was entirely necessary, mind. We doubt anyone will be buying a 4WD Qashqai to take up mountains.

What if I don't want a Qashqai?

Then you've got a bunch of other decent, but similarly uninspiring mid-size SUVs to contemplate: take your pick from the Skoda Karoq, Kia Sportage, Volkswagen Tiguan, Peugeot 3008, Seat Ateca and others. If driving smarts matter to you, a Ford Kuga is similar money and handles pretty well.

The new Qashqai is… fine. The changes Nissan has made have improved it, although well within recognition. It’s practical and useful, comfortable enough and will get down a road with the minimum of fuss. The e-Power drivetrain isn’t much fun, but no one really expected fireworks. Plus, it feels like decent value given the size and equipment, which is rare these days when everything feels very expensive.

If all that feels like damning with faint praise, it really isn’t. The Qashqai remains an absolutely solid bet for you to recommend to friends who don’t care about cars. And if that sounds harsh, it’s not really: loads of people want smart, good value and practical transport and don’t give a darn about dynamic driving or excitement.

The idea that e-Power is perfect for people wanting a stepping stone to full EV is nonsense though. This is just a different take on a hybrid. Overall it’s a decent car, just not an exciting one.