Nissan today reinforces its position as the leader in the European crossover segment with the unveil of the all-new, third generation Qashqai.
More than three million units of Qashqai have been sold since Nissan invented the segment in 2007.
For this new iteration, Nissan has retained the guiding principles that have driven the concept, design and development of the two previous generations of Qashqai: elegant design, enhanced packaging and efficient powertrain, combined with elevated quality and a driving experience from a higher segment. Thanks to the new Alliance CMF-C platform, a showcase of advanced engineering, innovation and advanced technology, the new Qashqai will again raise the bar in the crossover segment and customers will savour those attributes.
Like its predecessors, the styling of the new Qashqai was led by the team at Nissan Design Europe, based in central London (UK), while its engineering was led by Nissan Technical Centre Europe, situated in Cranfield, Bedfordshire (UK).
As with the two previous generations, the design for the all-new Nissan Qashqai came out of Nissan’s European Design Studio in London, UK.
Although unmistakably Qashqai in its styling, the third generation is more muscular, sharp and modern.
On the exterior, the Qashqai’s enhanced body stance is more purposeful, with prominent shoulder lines, an extended wheelbase and imposing 20-inch alloy wheels introduced to Qashqai for the first time.
The wheelbase of the car has increased by +20mm with the overall length increasing +35mm. There’s a marginal increase in height (+25mm) and width has increased +32mm for improved presence on the road.
The front end of the all-new Qashqai sports an enlarged Nissan V-Motion grille, finished in chrome with a secondary pinstripe of satin chrome to emphasise its precision. This is flanked by slim, full LED advanced matrix headlamps with boomerang signature daylight running lights. Super tight gaps between all these details create a premium and precise impression.
The forward lighting on new Qashqai has been enhanced from the previous model to feature a slimmer, sharper design thanks to the use of LED technology.
From the side, the new Qashqai appears more athletic and dynamic, with a single ‘fast line’ that strikes through the car from the front to the rear, giving a very horizontal presence to the car, but also conveying a sense of dynamism.
The new generation Qashqai will be available for the first time with 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels (the previous generation offered up to 19-inch wheels). These larger diameter wheels fill the arches and further contribute to the robustness of the car on the road.
Customers appreciate the personal touches, so the new Qashqai will be available in 11 body colours with five two-tone combinations, creating 16 variations to choose from.
The new Qashqai offers an advanced infotainment system with a broad portfolio of connected services including effortless integration of smartphones, in-car WiFi for up to seven devices and NissanConnect Services, a dedicated app with which to interact with and monitor the vehicle.
The larger, higher resolution 9 inch NissanConnect display screen is a digital gateway to navigation, entertainment and vehicle settings, and is compatible with both Android Auto® and Apple CarPlay®, with wireless Apple CarPlay® also introduced.
A new high-definition, fully electronic 12.3 inch TFT multi-information screen offers a choice of configurable layouts to display navigation, entertainment, traffic or vehicle information, all controlled from a new tactile dial switch on the steering wheel. A traditional “Kiriko” cut glass texture is also added to the TFT’s digital background – a nod to Nissan’s Japanese DNA.
An innovative new 10.8-inch Head-Up Display (HUD) provides the biggest-in-segment image size. Key navigation, driver assistance and road information are projected onto the windscreen within the driver’s line of vision.
Home-to-Car skills are compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa devices. The system supports a wide range of commands, including the ability for drivers to send destinations to the car’s navigation by talking to their smart device, minimising the time required to input the destination.
Through the NissanConnect Services smartphone app, vehicle control functions are available such as remote horn and lights, as well as remote door lock and unlock. Smart alerts can also be set including speed, time and zone with app notifications should the vehicle exceed the set parameters.
If not using their phone’s navigation, drivers can access 3D Maps & Live Traffic which includes advanced navigation features such as over-the-air map updates, real-time traffic conditions, Google Street View and fuel prices. Door-to-door navigation is also available through the app including a My Car Finder function.
Connectivity extends to all occupants with the console box now offering front and rear USB charging connections with both USB-A and USB-C ports.
A powered hands-free tailgate makes accessing the boot effortless when hands are anything but free. Overall luggage capacity has increased by over 50-litres from the previous generation model thanks in part to the cargo floor being lowered by 20mm as a consequence of the improved packaging of the rear suspension.
Popular features of its predecessor, for example the side storage compartments over the wheel arches and the Flexible Luggage Board System remain, are carried over and enhanced for the new model, with reshaped boards, as well as durable carpet on one side and wipe-clean plastic on the other.
Refinements to the ergonomic design of the doorways mean new Qashqai is also easier for ingress and egress than previous generations, particularly evident in restricted spaces such as multi-storey car parks. Where space allows, parents will appreciate that the rear doors now open to 85 degrees, allowing easier access to babies and toddlers in child-seats.
Supporting Nissan’s goal of achieving 50% electrified sales in Europe by 2024, the new Nissan Qashqai will not only be available with a 1.3 DiG-T petrol equipped with mild hybrid technology, but it also represents the European debut of e-POWER, Nissan’s innovative and award-winning powertrain that draws technologies from the company’s pioneering Nissan LEAF electric vehicle.
With both 2WD and 4WD variants, 6-speed manual or new Xtronic transmissions, and pure-electric motor driving courtesy of e-POWER, the all-new Qashqai’s powertrain options cater for every customer requirement with driving pleasure at the heart of all the powertrain configurations.
