NISSAN reckons that the traditional design of cars is changing and while once there were compact and family models, now there is the Qashqai. This is the crossover vehicle that will replace both its Almera and Primera models and will do battle with new rivals such as the Toyota Auris, the Citroen C4 Picasso and the latest incarnation of Honda’s CR-V. Nissan hopes that the Qashqai - built in Britain at Nissan's Sunderland factory - will have a broader appeal than a simple compact, family model or lifestyle 4x4-cum-MPV by being a combination of all three. This is pretty ambitious especially as it is strictly a four-seater, which immediately rules out the MPV claim. It is hardly a confident 4x4 so the Honda need not be too worried and it is bulkier than the sort of compacts that many drivers feel happiest manoeuvring through traffic so the Auris may rest easy too. It is, therefore, the ultimate compromise by attempting to be all things to all buyers and ultimately failing to be outstanding in any particular discipline. Ironically this is probably its greatest strength because in reality most vehicle-users would prefer a competent all-rounder than one that excels in some ways but is seriously lacking in others. Although the Qashqai offers its users a degree of the perceived invincibility that comes with sitting relatively high up in a vehicle that appears to be an SUV its actual footprint on the road is smaller than you might imagine. It looks chunky enough but is not ungainly to drive and is just as easy to manoeuvre and park as a Ford Focus. On motorways it sails along as effortlessly as any hatchback or saloon and when cornering it is more akin to a conventional car than a 4x4. It can be operated in either two or four wheel drive mode and comes with engines a small as 1.6 litres in petrol guise and 1.5-litres in diesel form. There are also two-litre petrol and diesel units plus the option of six speed manual and CVT transmission. The best seller is likely to be the entry-level 1.6-litre petrol model at £13,500, followed by the two-litre diesel manual costing from £16,200 and then the two-litre petrol manual version at £14,900. The 1.5dCi at £14,600 is expected to attract about 15 per cent of Qashqai buyers and bringing up the rear with just five per cent of sales will be the most expensive 2.0dCi automatic at £23,250. Taking its name from a desert-dwelling nomadic tribe living near the Zagros Mountains in south western Iran, Qashqai’s arrival marks the introduction of a new badge system, which will be rolled out across the entire Nissan car range. Visia is the entry-level model with Tekna at the top and Acenta in the middle. All versions are well equipped with plenty of air bags and depending upon how much you want to pay there is leather upholstery, satellite navigation and a panoramic sunroof in addition to the more mundane features such as remote central locking, keyless entry and electric windows that we now take for granted. At the vehicle’s launch the only two models available were the two-litre petrol and diesel, with 140bhp and 150bhp respectively. Each was fitted with the manual six speed transmission and four wheel drive system that send power to the front wheels only unless it is needed by all four for extra grip. Both models felt lively and more than capable of hauling four adults and their luggage although the diesel version was distinctly clattery when cold and idling in traffic. It is also worth noting that a power output of 150bhp is by no means exceptional for a two-litre diesel by today’s standards although it is adequate and the mid-range pulling power was quite strong for overtaking. Each model has a 0-60mph acceleration time of somewhere between ten and ten and a half seconds, which is lively enough and each can cruise effortlessly at the motorway maximum with plenty to spare. One of the more unusual features of the Qashqai is the fact that it is strictly a four-seat vehicle, just like the Volvo C30. Nissan say that this is because statistically most vehicles only carry two people in the rear so it makes sense to give them the most comfortable chairs possible even if it is at the expense of an unused one in the middle. The Qashqai is good and will no doubt reach Nissan’s modest targets, bearing in mind that it fills the void left by the company’s two best sellers - the Almera and Primera. In terms of its overall crossover design it is innovative yet in the execution of its interior specifics it is verging upon the unimaginative. Where is the cool box to chill drinks, the audio-visual system to keep the kids occupied, the MP3 player and so on? More than that, the Qashqai is probably long enough to squeeze in a third row of seats, effectively making it a six or even a seven-seater. Of course that has already been done by a multitude or rivals but not with four wheel drive and continuously variable transmission. Quite simply, the Qashqai dares to be different. It aims to be a single replacement for about half a dozen established sectors of the UK car market. It succeeds to a degree and considering Nissan’s sales target for it that is more than enough. | 
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