As far as all-rounders go, a crossover that combines the styling and higher seating position of an SUV with the size and driveability of a hatchback is hard to beat.
They are particularly appealing to company car drivers with families who want a well-equipped and smart looking car for work with a big boot and passenger space for the weekend.
Leading the charge is the Nissan Qashqai and Vauxhall Mokka, both of which are top sellers in their respective segments.
But which is best? We’ve put them head-to-head in the arenas of performance, tax costs, practicality and kit to help you decide which is right for you.
Pick of the range
In order to compare like-with-like we’ve picked the engine and trim that offers the best balance of running costs and equipment.
This means selecting the Nissan Qashqai 1.5-litre N Tec and the Vauxhall Mokka 1.6-litre EcoFlex Tech Line – both are diesel powered, and offer the low emissions and high specification needed in a business class cruiser.
Kit
Standard equipment in the Nissan Qashqai includes LED running lights, an electric parking brake with hill start, Bluetooth connectivity, and cruise control. Move up two levels to N Tec and you’ll get 18-inch alloys, leather gearknob and wheel, ambient lighting, climate control and auto lights and wipers. Crucially this trim also comes with a seven-inch sat nav screen, DAB radio and all-around view cameras.
In the Mokka the Tech Line trim has been put together especially for fleet drivers and is actually cheaper than the standard Exclusiv grade, but adds a sat nav system. You’ll get climate control, parking sensors, Bluetooth connectivity, DAB radio, leather-covered steering wheel, cruise control, automatic wipers and lights, including high beam assist, 17-inch alloys, and daytime running lights too.
The Mokka offers a lot more kit as standard and costs less than the Qashqai to start off with – a compelling offer.
Practicality
If you want a big boot then the Nissan Qashqai is the better of these two, with 430 litres of space behind the back seats.
It’s a very practical offering with a split level floor that can be lowered to boost usable space or raised to make a flat floor with the back seats down. The floor itself is reversible with carpet on one side and a wipe clean surface on the other.
In their highest position there isn’t much of a lip between the boot space and tailgate, making it reasonably easy to slide heavy items out of the boot.
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Inside the car you get a large central box between the front seats, which is where the aux-in socket and USB port are hidden. There is a space under the lid to run a cable from any devices stowed within too.
Although the Vauxhall Mokka’s boot is smaller, at only 362 litres, it is still a substantial space that can swallow up more than the car’s diminutive footprint would suggest.
Interior storage is strong too, with 19 different cubbies around the cabin. These include a big glovebox and door bins that can carry bottles.
The Mokka offers a practical package overall but there’s no getting around the extra space in the Qashqai.
Performance
While not offering blistering pace, the 1.5-litre diesel engine in the Nissan Qashqai is quiet, smooth, and promises impressive economy. It also offers more torque than the entry level petrol, meaning it pulls better in-gear.
It produces 108bhp which will pull the Qashqai along from 0-62mph in 11.5 seconds. Nissan says it can return 74mpg, and low CO2 emissions of 99g/km means it is in BIK band 17 for the current 2015/16 tax year.
The Vauxhall Mokka benefits from a new “Whisper” 1.6-litre diesel engine that offers more power than the Qashqai, with 134bhp, meaning its 0-62mph time is under ten seconds.
Claimed fuel consumption is 68mpg, while CO2 emissions are higher than the Nissan at 109g/km meaning a two percent rise in BIK tax bands for the current tax year.
Tax
| Nissan Qashqai 1.5-litre N Tec | Vauxhall Mokka 1.6-litre EcoFlex Tech Line | |
| P11d price | £23,395 | £18,349 |
| 2015/16 Monthly tax* | £66 | £58 |
| 2016/17 Monthly tax* | £62 | £55 |
| 2017/18 Monthly tax* | £70 | £61 |
To work out the tax costs on a different model, you can use the Parkers Company Car Tax Calculator.
Winner
The Vauxhall Mokka offers great value thanks to its low P11D price. Despite sitting in a higher BIK band it still works out cheaper per month than the Nissan Qashqai.
Both cars are well equipped and come with all the technology you need while travelling between meetings or taking the family on holiday, including DAB radio, sat nav and Bluetooth connectivity.
Thanks to its larger boot, lower diesel thirst and more luxurious feel inside, we think the Nissan Qashqai is worth the extra money.
Read our full Nissan Qashqai review
Read our full Vauxhall Mokka review
*Monthly tax costs are based on a 20 percent payer