Nothing stands still for long in the highly competitive crossover segment that Nissan pioneered with the original Qashqai. In the three-and-a-bit years since the third generation Qashqai was launched, it has sold more than 350,000 units in Europe and continues to set the standard for crossovers - the pioneer and still the benchmark. And to maintain its place as the reference in its segment, it has received a comprehensive aesthetic refresh, as well as significant technology updates.
From the bold changes to the exterior styling to the comprehensive updates to the infotainment and connected services on-board, the philosophy behind the changes to Qashqai is to keep the essence of what consumers love about Qashqai, enhance its strengths and to add even more intuitive and convenient technology.
The new Qashqai exudes a sharp and modern dynamism thanks to its refreshed design.
The front grille has been updated to create a more striking first impression. Inspired by the patterns of ancient Japanese armour scales, it now consists of dozens of high-gloss, three-dimensional, comma-shaped elements which appear to float in the space between the lip of the bonnet and the numberplate.
To the sides of the central portion, the "commas" form a triangular shape from the new headlights down to a point to the side of the numberplate and they are finished in a "satin chrome" hot foil stamp, on the top grade version.
The flanks of the bumper are body-coloured and a strip of black in a high-gloss finish runs below the numberplate to the lower corners of the bumper. Underneath the cooling aperture, there is a thin body-coloured “chin strap” which gives a sense of definition to the front.
Below the main lens, the daytime running lights consist of five small lenses which are the same shape as the “commas” of the main grille.
The daytime running lights now encircle the main headlight lens, joining with the thin light above the headlight which is similar to the unit on the previous Qashqai, but now has an illuminated “Nissan” on its outboard edge.
The upper daytime running light element becomes the turn indicator when activated and, for the first time, features sequential turning lights (according to the grade).
At the rear, the shape of the lights remains unchanged but the composition of the lights within the unit has been redesigned. The red lighting elements now consist of four individual elements which echo the shape of the front grille ”commas”.
They appear to float in the lens housing and are now a distinctive shade of red, known as “super red”, and bring a sense of elevated precision.
The bumper has been reshaped and now features harmonised colour – either gloss black on the higher grade versions or body-coloured on the new N-Design grade.
Likewise, when viewed in profile, the updated Qashqai on the higher grades benefits from a new gloss black finish on the body beneath the doors and wheel arches.
A new 18” diamond cut alloy wheel is now standard on the mid-grade Qashqai. For the higher grades, there is a new 19” alloy and a new 20” diamond-cut alloy wheel design.