The Nissan Qashqai Invented This Entire Class — And Still Just Gets On With It
All three reviews agree on the same trade-off: nothing here will thrill a keen driver, and that's precisely why so many buyers keep choosing it anyway.
The Car That Started a Genre, Still Playing It Straight
It's a strange position to be in — inventing an entire class of vehicle, then watching dozens of rivals chase your formula for two decades. Reviewers keep noting that this model has responded by staying sensible rather than trying to out-flash the competition it created.
Specs at a Glance
| Body style | Family SUV / crossover |
|---|---|
| Engines | 1.3L mild-hybrid petrol (138bhp/156bhp), e-Power hybrid (203bhp) |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual, Xtronic CVT, or single-speed (e-Power) |
| 0–60mph | 10.2 sec (138bhp) to around 7 sec (e-Power) |
| Boot space | 504 litres (unaffected by e-Power battery) |
| Price range (new) | From around £27,435 |
Full Review Summary
What Car?
What Car? was direct that Nissan's marketing overstates the driving enjoyment on offer, rating it less agile than rivals like the Seat Ateca and finding the steering numb enough to undermine confidence when pushed. They recommended the entry-level 138bhp engine over the pricier 156bhp version, since the extra power made little discernible difference to real-world pace. Ride comfort was rated close to the Skoda Karoq specifically on 18-inch wheels, which they identified as the sweet spot in the range.
Top Gear
Top Gear called the facelifted car simply "fine," crediting genuine but incremental improvements to connectivity and driver assistance without reinventing the formula. They flagged the speed limit warning system as a specific annoyance, misreading road signs on occasion, and noted several of the newer safety features exist mainly to satisfy updated regulatory requirements rather than being Nissan's own initiative. Their overall take was that this remains a rock-solid recommendation for buyers who simply want practical, fuss-free transport.
Autocar
Autocar's technical deep-dive into the redesigned e-Power hybrid system described it as a genuine clean-sheet reset, integrating the engine, two electric motors and the inverter into a single unit to save weight and improve refinement. They noted the powertrain offers electric-car smoothness and drivability without ever needing to be plugged in, calling this Nissan's most significant powertrain overhaul for the model to date. Suspension setup was found to vary confusingly by trim and wheel size, with the more sophisticated multi-link rear axle reserved only for top-spec cars on the largest wheels.
Strengths
- Genuinely refined, electric-feeling e-Power hybrid system
- Comfortable, well-judged ride on the right wheel size
- Spacious, unaffected boot space even with hybrid battery
- Competitive pricing for the class
Weak points
- Not an engaging car to drive, numb steering
- Speed limit warning system prone to misreading signs
- Suspension sophistication varies confusingly by trim and wheel size
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers who want a genuinely practical, comfortable family SUV and have no real interest in how it handles a corner. If ride quality matters to you specifically, stick to the mid-range trims with 18-inch wheels rather than the largest available rims.