• Summary
• What's Good
• What's Bad
• On the Road
• In The Cabin
• Prices and Specs
• Owners' Reviews

Latest update Nissan Qashqai: Notified of rear differential failure on 2.0 diesel automatic at 3 years 2 months old and 37,000 miles. Car had never towed anything. Nissan paid 70% of parts only, leaving reader with £1,200 bill.

1-5-2013: Tailgate lift handles on 2007/2008 Qashqais seem to be breaking off as if the plastic fixings have become too brittle over time. The lift handle also houses the number plate light and tailgate release button. So better to let the hatch rise on its gas struts that to physically lift it.

17-3-2013: Timing belt of 1.5DCI failed at 65k miles, wrecking the engine.

Designed to blend the agility and comfort of a hatchback with the strength and practicality of an SUV the Qashqai is Nissan’s alternative to the standard five-door hatchback. Plenty of people have certainly been won over by the formula. Modern, chunky and well proportioned it’s actually not much taller than standard hatchbacks like the Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf, has considerably more road presence.

It certainly looks like a crossover and the shoulder line and kicked-up rear windows ape the larger Nissan Murano. The interior isn’t quite as memorable – instead Nissan has opted for a simple layout which looks a little dull compared to something like a Honda Civic. However quality is a strong point as is the finish.

There are a good choice of engines too including the impressive dCi diesels which are strong but still offer good economy - the 1.5 dCi averaging a claimed 54.3mpg, although there are no dedicated low emissions models as you get with the likes of the Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion.

The Qashqai was was facelifted in 2010 with a revised front end, new headlights plus a revamped interior . The changes are subtle but make it look sharper and more modern plus there's now a Pure Drive model which emits 129g/km - better than before but still nowhere near as good as many special low emissions hatchbacks.

The Qashqai is also a very British car. It's one of several models built at Nissan’s plant in Sunderland, alongside the Juke, Note and forthcoming Leaf. The firm became the first Japanese manufacturer to set up a plant in Europe when it opened the factory in 1986 and it now produces more than 300,000 cars a year. A real success story for the UK.

Nissan Qashqai 2007 Range Road Test

Nissan Qashqai 1.6-litre dCi Pure Drive 2011 Road Test