• Quality is much better than old model
• New infotainment set-up very effective
• Clear displays and easy to use

How is the quality and layout?

The interior of the Qashqai isn’t the most cutting edge, but it’s up there in terms of quality. With plenty of soft surfaces to break up the hard plastics –including Alcantara in the new N-Design trim – the cabin feels inviting.

It’s a plush environment – Tekna+ grade even gets quilted leather seats if you want to go especially upmarket. Many versions also come with a full-length glass roof that helps to flood the interior with light, though an electric sun blind can shut it out. 

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The controls are well placed and simple to use, the driving position is good, and only marred by a bulky A-pillar, which can obscure your view into roundabouts and angled junctions. Although it has a touchscreen to control many of the car’s systems, we’re glad to see physical controls for the climate control system – Nissan says its customers want these, and we heartily agree. The Qashqai’s interior’s ease-of-use is up there with the best.

Infotainment and tech

All models use a wide 12.3-inch touchscreen for the infotainment, with all but Acenta Premium also getting a fully digital driver’s display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto are included, along with satellite navigation. Online services, such as live weather updates and Amazon Alexa, are also integrated but require a separate subscription. The big driver’s display fitted to most models is sharp and highly configurable, and easily navigated by physical steering wheel controls. A large and clear head-up display is also available.

The fitment of Nissan’s ProPilot semi-autonomous car tech, first seen in the Leaf, is big news, as it can significantly lessen the stress of driving in heavy traffic. The system positions you a fixed distance behind the car in front, and locks you into the centre of the lane. It can slow down to 0mph in stop-start traffic, and resume driving once the car in front moves.

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In practice, it works well, and you can easily switch it off when you’re on twistier roads that can flummox these systems. ProPilot can also adjust the car’s speed based on the speed limit by reading road signs and communicating with the car’s inbuilt sat-nav.

This latest system is available from the mid-spec N-Connecta grades. There’s also an adaptive headlight system that alters the shape of its beam depending on road condition and road users. For instance, it can partially deactivate small sections of the light in order not to dazzle oncoming traffic. All cars have LED headlights, but only upper spec cars will get this technology – and in use, it is very impressive, not once annoying oncoming drivers in a long overnight drive.

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If you opt for one of the higher trim levels, you’ll benefit from a raft of new parking-assistance features as part of the package. They include a new invisible hood mode that can display exactly where your wheels are on the infotainment screen, negating the risk of curbing your 20″ alloys. Eight different camera angels are also available so you can maintain a comprehensive understanding of your surroundings when you park.

Comfort

• Driver’s seat is very supportive
• Spot on seating position
• Massaging seats fitted to top-spec models

You sit high up in the Qashqai, with a commanding view of the road ahead. We think most buyers will appreciate this, but taller drivers may think the seats don’t quite go low enough, even though there’s plenty of adjustment.

The seats themselves are large and supportive, with the option of a massaging system on top-spec cars for those in the front. It’s not as good as the system available in the Volkswagen Tiguan, though. The rear seats are slightly upright, and the central seat isn’t sculpted for bottoms.