The first generation Nissan Qashqai was a platinum smash hit throughout its six-year lifecycle, despite a sharp rise in competition towards the end of its production run.
It wasn’t the first crossover, but was among the first to tap into the concept from a mainstream, family-size and affordable standpoint. That, in the UK at least, it also replaced the Primera and Almera in 2007 shows the extent to which Nissan had bet all its chips on a single hand.
More than a decade down the line, the gamble better resembles a masterstroke - even if it leaves the second generation version with the tough task of carrying on in the tyre tracks forged by its predecessor.
Still, the omens were good. Like Volkswagen reworking its Golf or Ford fettling the Focus, it seemed on paper as though little had been left to chance – or, indeed, dramatically changed.
Five years and a 2017 facelift later, the second-gen Qashqai has remarkably continued the success of the original and managed to keep the burgeoning competition at bay, with none being able to hold a candle to until Seat ruined the party with its stylish and fun to drive Ateca.
The facelift saw the Japanese manufacturer focus on improved plushness, with improvements made to the design, finish, equipment and refinement. There are now five trim levels on offer, starting with the relatively well-equipped Visia model, rising through Acenta, N-Connecta, Tekna and the range-topping Tekna+.
