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Nissan Qashqai review - a mature class leader - Design

Nissan’s genre-defining family focussed crossover might not thrill, but it’s a chart topper regardless.

Evo rating
RRP
from £18,545
  • Neat styling, economical, refined engines and plenty of space
  • It’ll never handle with the verve of a hatchback, a bit mumsy

Design

The old Qashqai might have broken the genre mould, but it didn’t add much to the world of styling. This second generation model does a good job at revising that, with pronounced wheel arches, neat detailing on its flanks a bold front grille and neat lights. It mixes SUV and hatchback cues convincingly indeed, though it does look best in its more expensive trim levels thanks to extra detailing like satin roof bars, black pack options and the larger alloy wheels they bring. 

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The inside is similarly neat and eye-catching, without being overly showy or unnecessarily fussy, Nissan knows its audience for its big-seller and that’s obvious inside. It’s moved on enough design-wise to keep it abreast of its rivals’ increasingly daring style and growing numbers, Nissan wisely keeping the Qashqai at the top of the class it effectively created. 

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