Nissan Qashqai review - Practicality, comfort and boot space

When the latest Qashqai first arrived in 2014, it was one of the more practical crossovers in its class. Now, though, a glut of newer rivals has usurped the Sunderland-built car for outright space, meaning the Qashqai is merely average in this respect now. Still, visibility is good and the boot floor is versatile.

The seven-seater Nissan Qashqai +2 is no more – customer feedback suggested it wasn't a necessary variant. Anyone wanting seven seats will have to opt for the new Nissan X-Trail instead.

Size

The Nissan Qashqai is 4,377mm long and 2,070mm wide including the wing mirrors. That makes it slightly smaller than the Kia Sportage and similar to the SEAT Ateca. It’s a touch lower than both cars, too. 

Compared to a typical family hatchback like the Ford Focus, the Qashqai is doesn't offer much more outright room. The key difference is the extra height that’s such a central part of the crossover’s appeal. Where the Focus stands 1,469mm tall, the Qashqai towers 1,590mm off the tarmac, this extra translates to easier access and an elevated driving position.

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Leg room, head room & passenger space

Overall, there’s still decent legroom in the rear and the transmission tunnel doesn’t intrude on the middle-seat passenger’s foot space. Three adults could manage short journeys in relative comfort back there.

The higher spec Nissan Qashqai models have a panoramic glass roof, which cuts into headroom. There’s more space in models without this addition, but the combination of small side windows and black trim makes the Qashqai’s rear cabin a little dark. Rivals like the Toyota C-HR suffer from similar problems, though. 

As you’d expect of a car aimed at families, the interior is packed full of useful storage. There’s a large glovebox and several cubbies that are perfect for odds and ends. An electric handbrake also frees up the centre console for extra stowage and cup-holders.

Boot

Any crossover has to be versatile, but with only 430 litres of boot space the Qashqai’s load bay is small compared with its rivals. It gives away 80 litres to the SEAT Ateca and a whopping 161 litres to the Peugeot 3008. Still, the luggage area is well-shaped, and also features a flat loading lip and base, plus it benefits from a clever false floor that doubles as a boot divider. Fold the rear bench seat flat and the capacity increases to 1,585 litres. Better still, there’s a compartment under the boot floor for storing the parcel shelf.

However, these features don't disguise the fact that a number of new models - from the 3008, to the Ateca, CX-5 and Sportage, offer greater capacity with the seats up. 

Towing

If you plan on towing a trailer with your Qashqai, the most powerful diesel model is the best choice: all 1.7-litre iterations are rated at 2,000kg for braked trailers or 750kg. The 1.5-litre diesel is rated to 1,500kg for a braked trailer if fitted with an auto box, or 1,450kg in conjunction with a manual; unbraked figures are 737kg and 730kg for auto and manual options respectively.

Go for the entry-level petrol and you’ll be able to tow a braked trailer of up to 1,300kg, or an unbraked trailer weighing up to 687kg. The more powerful petrol can tow a braked trailer of up to 1,500kg, or an unbraked trailer weighing 687kg (with a manual gearbox) or 695kg (with an auto).