The Nissan Qashqai: A History of Success in the UK

Published Date: 14th Jun 2023

Image of a Burgundy Nissan Qashqai The Nissan Qashqai compact crossover SUV was launched in the UK in 2007. It was the first car of its kind, and it quickly became a huge success, helping to revive Nissan's fortunes in the UK market.

Designed to cater to a new category of car buyers seeking versatility and practicality, the Qashqai offers an option that's more manoeuvrable than an SUV and more roomy than a hatchback. Notably, it balances style and affordability effortlessly, a feat that has resonated with countless customers.

In its first year on sale, the Qashqai sold over 100,000 units in the UK, making it the best-selling new car of the year. It has continued to be a popular choice ever since, and by 2022, it had become the best-selling car in the UK overall.

The Qashqai has received plaudits for its spacious interior, comfortable ride, and elegant looks. Additionally, it has been bestowed numerous prestigious awards, such as the 2007 What Car? Car of the Year and the 2014 Top Gear SUV of the Year accolade.

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The Qashqai has been updated twice since its launch, in 2014 and 2021. The latest model is available with a choice of petrol, diesel, and hybrid engines, and it comes packed with the latest technology, including a touchscreen infotainment module, a reversing camera, and a suite of advanced safety features.

The Nissan Qashqai is a very popular car in the UK, showing no signs of its popularity slowing down. It is a stylish, practical, affordable car that offers buyers the best of both worlds.

Key Dates in the History of the Nissan Qashqai in the UK

2006: Unveiled at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, the Nissan Qashqai was a trailblazer, effectively merging hatchback and SUV traits. It boasted a contemporary style and practicality and appealed to a young audience. The Qashqai achieved notable popularity as one of the UK's preferred vehicles. The car's chic design, cosy interiors and functional characteristics received great acclaim. The Qashqai proved highly secure and gained a Euro NCAP five-star safety rating. This car changed the game and marked the inception of the crossover SUV market. Other manufacturers followed suit, prompting rapid industry growth. The Qashqai remains a signature style for younger drivers seeking style, practicality and safety.

2007: After the Qashqai launched in the UK, it instantly became a hit and was crowned the country's best-selling vehicle in 2007. This crossover's popularity rapidly spread to other European markets, selling over 1 million units worldwide by 2010. The craze over the Qashqai helped Nissan regain its once-fading success throughout Europe and sparked the rise of crossovers as one of the most coveted car types on the market today.

2008: Nissan launched the Qashqai+2, a seven-seat variant of the Qashqai, to attract families requiring extra space. Despite lacking the popularity of its progenitor, the Qashqai's range did benefit from the improved versatility.

2010: The Qashqai underwent a significant facelift with a host of modifications, including an updated front grille, headlights, and taillights. Additionally, it is now equipped with new features, such as a panoramic sunroof and a reversing camera.

2014: The second-generation Qashqai is launched. The second-generation Qashqai was a significant improvement over the first generation. It was more stylish, more spacious, and more refined. It also received several new features, such as a blind spot monitoring system and a lane departure warning system.

2017: The Qashqai+2 was discontinued owing to a lack of demand in the rapidly evolving seven-seat market. In a bid to concentrate its effort on the more popular Qashqai, which seats five, Nissan decided to stop manufacturing the Qashqai+2.

2021: Nissan has recently unveiled the much-anticipated third-generation Qashqai, the most advanced model yet. The Qashqai also offers the first hybrid powertrain in its series equipped with the latest technological advancements, such as a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

The Qashqai's Success

The Qashqai has been a hugely successful car for Nissan. It has helped to revive the company's fortunes and has become one of the most popular cars in Europe. The third-generation Qashqai is sure to continue this success. The Qashqai's success in the UK can be attributed to several factors, including:

It's unique positioning as a crossover SUV offered the practicality of a hatchback with the style and driving dynamics of an SUV.
Its stylish and modern design.
Its comfortable and spacious interior.
Its wide range of engine and trim options.
It's competitive pricing.
It's an excellent reliability record.

Current 2023 Nissan Qashqai Trims

Nissan Qashqai Visia - The entry-level trim level, Visia comes with features including 17-inch alloy wheels, Auto on/off headlights, heated side mirrors, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, A/C, basic cruise control, heated front seats, four-speaker audio. Visia Equipment Highlights: 17-inch alloy wheels, Auto on/off headlights, Heated side mirrors, 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Satellite radio, Air conditioning, Basic cruise control, Heated front seats, Four-speaker audio.

Nissan Qashqai Acenta Premium - The mid-range Acenta Premium trim adds features like LED headlights, privacy glass, rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a six-speaker audio system. Acenta Premium Equipment Highlights: LED headlights, Privacy glass, Rear parking sensors, Rear-view camera, Leather-wrapped steering wheel, six-speaker audio system.

Nissan Qashqai N-Connecta - The N-Connecta trim adds even more features, such as a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Bose sound system, heated rear seats, and a panoramic sunroof. N-Connecta Equipment Highlights: 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment module and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bose sound system, Heated rear seats, Panoramic sunroof.

Nissan Qashqai Tekna - The Tekna trim adds 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a Bose sound system, a head-up display, and a suite of safety features, including blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. Tekna Equipment Highlights: 19-inch alloy wheels, Panoramic sunroof, Bose sound system, Head-up display, Suite of safety features, including blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.

Nissan Qashqai Tekna+ The Nissan Qashqai Tekna+ is the top-of-the-range model in the popular Qashqai range. It builds on the already impressive specification of the Tekna model Tekna + Equipment Highlights: Quilted leather upholstery, Heated rear seats, Hands-free power tailgate. The quilted leather upholstery gives the interior of the Qashqai Tekna+ a truly luxurious feel. The heated rear seats are a welcome addition for those cold winter mornings, and the hands-free power tailgate makes loading and unloading the boot a breeze. In addition to these luxurious features, the Qashqai Tekna+ also comes with a number of other standard features, including A Bose Sound System, a panoramic sunroof, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Qashqai Tekna+ is available with a choice of two engines: a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine or a 1.5-litre turbocharged hybrid engine. The Qashqai Tekna+ is available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

The Future of the Nissan Qashqai

The Nissan Qashqai is undoubtedly one of the most successful cars ever made in the UK. It has helped to revive Nissan's fortunes in the UK market and has become the best-selling car in the UK overall. The Qashqai is showing no signs of slowing down, and it will continue to be a popular choice for many years. The latest model is packed with the latest technology and safety features, and it is available with the choice of petrol, diesel, and hybrid engines. If you are looking for a stylish, practical, and affordable car, then the Nissan Qashqai is a great option. It will surely provide you with years of reliable motoring and many happy memories.

We have stock cars available in some Nissan Qashqai models for immediate delivery on the new 23 Registration Plate. You can also order the new 73 registration Plate for September now - be quick, as physical Nissan Qashqai stock is limited!

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**Please note that Nissan vehicle specifications, trim levels, options, and engines are subject to change anytime. Therefore, confirming the vehicle specification you are interested in when you purchase is important. All car manufacturers reserve the right to change vehicle specifications without notice.