Next Nissan Qashqai

16 May, 2012 7:00am Jack Rix

The second-generation Nissan Qashqai will target the Audi Q3, and our exclusive images show how it could look

After the runaway success of the current car, it’s time for the Nissan Qashqai’s ‘difficult’ second album. In 2007, the British designed and built model invented the compact crossover class. Since then, over 160,000 have been sold (including the Qashqai+2) in the UK – but an all-new version is now on the way and we’ve got the full story.

Nissan’s focus this time will be on more style and better quality in a bid to outgun rivals such as the Kia Sportage, Skoda Yeti and Peugeot 3008, and also more premium competition such as the Audi Q3 and BMW X1.

Nissan’s executive vice-president, Andy Palmer, told us: “The dimensions are pretty much fixed, so we’ll have to differentiate the new car in the details.”

That means the current car’s length of 4,330mm will remain virtually unchanged, as will interior room and the maximum boot space of 860 litres with the rear seats folded.

Inspiration for the styling will come from the Hi-Cross concept car – seen at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year – but distilled into a smaller package. You can see elements of the Hi-Cross in the angular shoulder line that runs along the side of the new Qashqai over the front wheelarch and into the bonnet.

Narrow headlights that blend into the full-width grille create a more contemporary look at the front, while a more prominent roof spoiler and chrome surrounds for the exhaust give the car a sportier rear.

It’s on the inside, though, where the new Qashqai will take the biggest strides. Palmer said: “Nissan has a scale for measuring overall quality and fit and finish of its cars. The new Qashqai is the first model to score a six.”

Another source went into more detail, adding: “Everybody loves the Qashqai’s exterior, but perceived quality on the inside lets it down. Rather than bring the new car up to German quality levels, we want to surpass them.”

A new 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine will replace the 1.6-litre, offering 113bhp and 190Nm of torque. It will return over 50mpg and emit less than 120g/km of CO2. A 128bhp 1.6 dCi diesel promises 60mpg-plus and less than 105g/km of CO2.

The new Qashqai goes on sale in 2014, although a concept will preview the production car at next year’s Geneva show.

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Submitted by aeolus on Wed, 2012-05-16 11:46.

Certainly so but this vehicle is anything but good looking. Still there is one poster on this site who will disagree simply because it is not a Ford!

Submitted by gofasterstripes on Wed, 2012-05-16 17:19.

I don't think it's bad looking, there are far worse off roaders than this and you've got to remember that this is how it *could* look like not the finished article.

Submitted by coolkid on Wed, 2012-05-16 17:54.

you usually expect a new model to be very much improved, but this is like a backward step that Honda quite often have made, certainly not a pretty site, compared to the current one which is quite nice.

Submitted by Harvey56 on Wed, 2012-05-16 17:54.

I've always liked the concept of the Squashcow, but thought the exterior very dull, this "image" is a big improvement.

Submitted by Drive71 on Wed, 2012-05-16 23:35.

British built and looks good to me. Sat in one the other day and it was full of gadgets including reversing camera and retracting full length sunroof.

Submitted by cousins11 on Thu, 2012-05-17 00:27.

then great job I'd say. This looks way sharper than the current car. As 'Harvey56' suggests, the current car is rather boring and generic looking. The sharp lines of the car pictured are much more distinctive.

Submitted by Carmad3 on Thu, 2012-05-17 11:37.

Roll on 2014 what a fabulous looking car. Want one

Submitted by scott1234 on Thu, 2012-05-17 11:45.

A lot of the manufacturers are using the badge on the front as a starting point and accomodate eveything else round it, the results look pretty hideous, nasty and fairly chav.

Nissan, take note. You have re build back your reputation with the current range of great cars, don't alientate your buyers by building a chav looking replacement.

Submitted by drive on Thu, 2012-05-17 18:16.

Let it die in peace it served its purpose.

Submitted by toycollector on Thu, 2012-05-17 21:55.

Looking at that design, Nissan haven't got a hope in hell.

Submitted by briandi on Thu, 2012-05-17 23:34.

Why are so called suv vehicles decorated with plastics on the lower parts, it is this awful black plastic trim that has put me off buying this and other similar motors. Even Honda CRVs had it but they have at last seen sense and colour coded their later versions and this latest Nissan is a bit better but still has that awful plastic trim which in time will discolour and look horrible. Maybe it is to make you think you are protecting the arches and bumper areas when you go agricultural ! fat chance of that eh?

Submitted by nickbsmooth on Fri, 2012-05-18 02:23.

the current cashcow is no looker but sells in big numbers and it holds its value even though its not particularly practical so the second generation doesn't need to do much to make it a success,but on the upside it keeps at least 5000 people in the UK in jobs so all is well.

Submitted by hotredman on Sat, 2012-05-19 15:19.

Some are moaning on how it looks. But the title says how it COULD look. So I would assume this is one of the usual AE photoshops, this imo does damage to the manufacturer in question as by the above comments, the vehicle then gets a bashing because people are thinking this is the final car.

Submitted by barina47 on Tue, 2012-05-22 12:14.

Its a Murano that went thru the hot wash. Theyve been around since..........yawn

Submitted by knox615 on Fri, 2012-05-25 16:11.

Have AutoExpress just taken the Mazda CX-5 and tweaked it around a bit? It seems all the current Mazdas and Hyundais are following the same look and getting this same bulbous front wing treatment, so if the Quashqai does look like the pic it will hardly be distinctive.
If you want to stand out a bit buy the current one.

Submitted by ANDRZEJ on Sat, 2013-01-26 23:10.

MOST IMPORTANT NEWS IS NEW TURBO ENGINE , CAPACITY 1.2 AND 113 POWER HORSE. GREAT !!!

Submitted by Carl on Sat, 2013-04-06 01:26.

I drivethe 1.6 petrol engine and reasonably economic family car. From the last six months I am frequently visiting the dealer because the engine coollant level keeps dropping below min. The mechanics cannot find any faults. Will the new qashqai be more reliable?