Nissan Qashqai (2014 – 2021) | Expert Rating [hide]
Summary
The Nissan Qashqai is a medium-sized SUV/crossover, built here in the UK at Nissan’s Sunderland plant. It is the UK’s biggest-selling British-built car, and one of the top-selling cars in the country.
The current model was launched in 2014, with a facelift in 2017 and further updates in the second half of 2018. Production has now ended, with an all-new replacement launched in Summer 2021.
The Nissan Qashqai scored plenty of good reviews from various UK media sources throughout its life, but in recent years there have been a huge number of similar models from rival manufacturers that are just as good – if not better – in many areas.
In August 2020, Which? magazine publicly called for the Qashqai to be recalled for a battery problem that affected more than one in five owners surveyed, and led to the Qashqai to be dubbed the car with the highest breakdown rate in its annual car owner survey.
Key specifications
Body style: Medium SUV/crossoverEngines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £19,995 on-road
Launched: Winter 2014Last updated: Autumn 2018
Replaced: Summer 2021
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
“Great all-around visibility paired with finely-tuned steering means it’s easy to get around even the tightest of streets, ideal for a car that’s likely to spend the majority of its lifetime in the urban jungle.”
Read review
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Nissan Qashqai has been a consistent feature at the top end of sales charts for years now, and this all-round package was improved further by an update in 2017 and a range of new engines and gearboxes in 2019. That said, rivals offer strong competition in this class.”
Read review
Autocar
Model reviewed: 1.3-litre DIG-T 160 Tekna manualScore: 8 / 10“While some welcome infotainment upgrades keep the Qashqai competitive, the SEAT Ateca is more engaging to drive and the Skoda Karoq has the edge on practicality.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 1.3-litre DIG-T 140hp TeknaScore: 9 / 10“The Nissan Qashqai remains wildly popular and rightly so. It manages to be fun and comfortable behind the wheel while having all of the sensible practicality and features expected of a family SUV. The SEAT Ateca still has the edge, but it’s a very very close call.”
Read review
Car
Score: 8 / 10“Nissan knows its target buyer extremely well and has created just the car that the great British public will lap up.”
Read review
Carbuyer
Score: 8.2 / 10“The Nissan Qashqai is a practical SUV with the running costs of a hatchback, and a facelift has only increased its appeal.”
Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“The Nissan Qashqai is a small family SUV that’s comfortable to drive and cheap to run. It’s far from the most practical SUV on sale, though, and doesn’t feel particularly special inside.”
Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre diesel manual 115 Tekna“A worthy update to a very successful model. The new diesel will appeal for emissions and performance, and the infotainment updates banish a previous weakness of the Qashqai.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview“As good as it’s ever been, the Nissan Qashqai remains a worthy car. It’s a close call between it and the SEAT Ateca.”
Read review
Honest John
Score: 6 / 10“The cabin feels somewhat old compared to the Qashqai’s newer rivals, while the infotainment looks distinctly aftermarket with blocky graphics, slow screen changes and a confusing menu layout. The low set of the infotainment screen also makes it difficult to read when on the move.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 7.8 / 10“Popular crossover is packed with equipment, but feeling dated”
Read review
The Sun
Model reviewed: 1.3-litre turbo petrol“Beefed-up Nissan Qashqai with 160hp 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine will feel more purposeful and is more efficient for long runs.”
Read review
“It’s safe and stylish and reliable and reasonably cheap to run. And it keeps 40,000 Brits in jobs. But it’s just not very exciting.”
Read review
The Sunday Times
Score: 6 / 10“Overall it’s quiet and the suspension does a decent job of smoothing out potholed roads, but it’s a tight squeeze with three children aboard, and the boot is surprisingly small.”
Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 1.3-litre petrol manual N-ConnectaScore: 8 / 10“The class leadership has moved on, but the Qashqai remains one of the best of the rest, and an amiable, easy-going way to transport your family. These new petrol engines suit it well, and arrive just in time to provide a worthwhile alternative as diesel’s popularity continues to dwindle.”
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“One of Britain’s best-selling cars, the Nissan Qashqai is quiety, comfy and homemade, too.”
Read review
What Car?
Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 8 / 10“If you choose wisely it’s one of the more comfortable cars in the class, and the 138bhp 1.3-litre petrol engine really impresses.”
Read review
Which?
Model reviewed: Range overview“Competition in the SUV crossover market is fierce, with the likes of the Ford Kuga, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4 and VW Tiguan just some of the big names that the Qashqai is up against. It really needs to stand out from the crowd – but despite being comfortable and roomy, unfortunately it doesn’t.”
Read review
Safety rating
Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: February 2014
88%
ADULT OCCUPANT
83%
CHILD OCCUPANT
69%
VULNERABLE ROAD USERS
79%
SAFETY ASSIST
Read full Euro NCAP review
Eco rating
Model tested: 1.3-litre petrol manual 140hp
Date tested: November 2020
6.1 / 10
CLEAN AIR INDEX
4.5 / 10
ENERGY EFFICIENCY INDEX
Read full Green NCAP review
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Nissan Qashqai has received
2020
- Auto Trader Awards – Best Car for City Driving
2016
- What Car? Awards – Best Small SUV
2015
- Auto Express Awards – Crossover of the Year
- What Car? Awards – Best Small SUV
2014
- What Car? Awards – Car of the Year
- Auto Express Awards – Crossover of the Year
- Tow Car Awards – Tow Car of the Year + 1,400-1,549kg caravan category
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Nissan Qashqai, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën C5 Aircross | Ford Kuga | Honda CR-V | Hyundai Tucson | Jeep Compass | Kia Sportage | Mazda CX-5 | MG HS | Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | Peugeot 3008 | Renault Kadjar | SEAT Ateca | Skoda Karoq | SsangYong Korando | Subaru XV | Suzuki S-Cross | Toyota C-HR | Vauxhall Grandland X | Volkswagen Tiguan
Buy or lease a Nissan Qashqai
If you’re looking for a used Nissan Qashqai, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car or a competitive finance deal
Buy a car online from your sofa.
We’ll deliver it.
We only have the best used cars for sale from selected dealers.
Search less, live more. We make finding the right car simple.
The UK’s automotive search engine. All the cars in one place.
We Finance Any Car provides an alternative to dealer finance.
Motorly provides an alternative to dealer finance.
Keyword: Nissan Qashqai (2014 – 2021)