Meet the Qashqai (pronounced Cash-Kai), Nissan's 'Urban Nomad'. Taking its name from an Iranian desert-dwelling nomadic tribe, the Qashqai is Nissan's replacement for the defunct Almera hatch, Almera Tino compact MPV and Primera family car.
Designed to couple the styling cues of an SUV with the dynamic abilities of a family hatchback, the Qashqai has to tackle two distinct markets sectors - one in decline (family hatches) and the other booming (SUVs). If a regular hatchback like a Focus or Golf is too dull but a RAV4 or Freelander is too in yer face, then Nissan hopes that the Qashqai offers something unique in between the two.
Although the original 2003 concept was conceived in Japan, the Qashqai is about as British as a car can be today. It was designed by Nissan Design Europe, based in Paddington, London; engineered and developed at the Nissan Technical Centre Europe in Cranfield, Bedfordshire; and is built alongside the Note, Micra and Micra C+C in Sunderland.
Not much bigger than a Megane, the Qashqai offers high-riding comfort for five passengers, though the central rear seat is very narrow, and the shallow boot not especially large.
It may look like a 4x4, but 75% of Qashqais will actually be front-wheel drive. A version of Nissan's All-Mode 4x4 system as found in the X-Trail is available as an option on 2.0-litre versions.
Four engines are available - two petrol, two diesel. Five- and six-speed manual, conventional automatic and CVT gearboxes are offered, depending on the engine. Three trim levels, named Visia, Acenta and Tekna, are available on all engines.
