Nissan Qashqai +2

THE five-seat Qashqai has gone down a storm since its introduction in 2006. And now, Nissan has upped the ante by adding an extra row of seats.

Thanks to a 135mm longer wheelbase, there’s more head and knee room, plus 55 litres of extra boot capacity. Glance inside, though, and you will realise the Qashqai +2 isn’t going to fend off loftier MPVs such as the Ford S-MAX.

Still, the Japanese firm is realistic about its audience, as it claims that the rear seats are suitable only for children up to 1.6 metres tall. So the Qashqai is ideal transport for young families. The seven-seater also gets an ingenious new arrangement: the middle three chairs slide back and forth by 240mm, and all five rear seats fold and stagger individually for an even more spacious set-up.

On the move, the +2 isn’t the sharpest car to drive. But the ride is comfortable and the 2.0-litre diesel engine pulls well – even if its emissions are average for the class.