The Nissan Qashqai reaches its 20th anniversary in 2026, and it remains the UK's fourth best-selling car. According to the SMMT, 23,102 units were sold in 2026, trailing only the Ford Puma, Kia Sportage, and Jaecoo 7. Christopher Sharp spent a week driving the latest model to assess its enduring appeal.
Numbers and Specifications
The test vehicle was the N-Connecta e-Power 205 PS Automatic 2WD variant. It features a hybrid powertrain with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine, automatic gearbox, and two-wheel drive. The five-seat SUV weighs approximately two tonnes, offers 500 litres of boot space (1,500 litres with seats folded), and measures two metres wide by 4.5 metres long. As tested in magnetic blue, it was priced at £38,825.
Why the Qashqai Matters
The Qashqai is credited with kick-starting the SUV boom in Britain. While Porsche and BMW offered the Cayenne and X5 earlier, the Qashqai made SUVs accessible to a broader audience. Since its 2006 launch, it has helped popularise the segment, which now includes categories like best small, medium, and large SUVs.
Interior and Controls
The cabin balances physical controls with touchscreen functions. The steering wheel uses physical buttons, avoiding haptic pads, and most adjustments don't require reaching for the screen. Storage compartments and multiple USB-C charging sockets are provided. A wireless charging pad is included, but Sharp advises using USB-C instead to avoid overheating phones. Once set up, the interior is straightforward and ranks in the upper half of vehicles tested this year for ease of use.
Driving Experience
The hybrid system features regenerative braking, which can be adjusted. Sharp notes that the braking response requires smooth throttle modulation to ensure passenger comfort. As an SUV, handling is neutral; it rolls less than the Ford Puma, offers more feedback than the Jaecoo 7, and its hybrid system feels more polished than the Kia Sportage. Steering isn't as sharp as an Audi, but provides adequate feedback for B-road bends. The engine is responsive, and the suspension is comfortable, with no need for sport mode.
Verdict
The Qashqai is practical with a spacious boot, ample rear headroom, and good economy. Sharp concludes it's easy to see why Nissan has continued production for two decades. He rates it 7.5 out of 10.
