Long-term report: A fond farewell to the Nissan Qashqai

We have had a Nissan Qashqai on the fleet for quite a few months now and it’s been a reliable, capable and comfortable companion – but I write that with a tinge of sadness.

That’s because the car will be returning to Nissan very soon, so we’ll have to say goodbye. It’ll be missed for all kinds of reasons, but the principal one is simply that it has served us very well and done everything that’s been asked of it.

Whether I have been chucking the golf clubs in the boot to go to the driving range (I’m trying the sport again but not quite ready for 18 holes!); taking my 89-year-old mum to a hospital appointment, or my 13-month-old grandson to his ‘Jiggy Wrigglers’ activity session, life has been a breeze.

The Intelligent Key unlocks the vehicle as you approach it, so you can just load everything up without having to put golf clubs or car seats on the ground, jump in and drive off – simples.

And isn’t that what we all want at the end of the day? An easy and straightforward motoring life?
Sure, our Qashqai will never set pulses racing with any thrill-a-minute driving dynamics, but every journey I have embarked on in this car has been completed in comfort and safety. And although I like to think I’m a reasonably competent driver, The Qashqai and the technologies it has on board certainly do their bit.

When it comes to security and safety, OY74NMA is bristling with tech such as Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Prevention and Blind Spot Warning, plus Intelligent Speed Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. All invaluable as our roads seemingly get busier and more congested with every passing year.

One of the things I have come to appreciate most in respect of OY74NMA is the fuel economy afforded by its mild hybrid technology, which really is a clever system.

Comprising a 1.3-litre turbo engine with a lithium-ion battery, it enables energy regenerated during deceleration to be used while driving to contribute to both fuel economy and CO2 emissions reduction. A claimed 44mpg is delivered, and I would say that’s a pretty accurate figure whether cruising along a motorway or crawling through town.

The car has a whole host of other benefits which explains its enduring popularity – and enduring is certainly the right word in respect of a car that will turn 20 very soon (although the models now on sale are a far cry from the 2007 variants of course!).

The latest new car registration figures published by the industry body, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders revealed that the Qashqai was the second best-selling car in the UK in July 2026, with more than 3,200 examples being driven off dealers’ forecourts.

Perhaps part of its appeal is that although the Qashqai is most certainly family-friendly, it is by no means a boring-looking workhorse. Anything but, in fact.

On the outside, 18-inch diamond-cut alloys really look the business and our car’s Fuji Sunset Red paint job (an extra at £745) turns heads for all the right reasons.

Perhaps the feature that brings things to life most effectively in the cabin is the customisable multi-coloured ambient lighting, which adds a splash of vibrancy to the elements of the interior finished in leather and chrome.

During the seemingly never-ending heatwaves of the summer, the automatic dual-zone climate control and air conditioning have been a boon and it’s easy for the driver to make him or herself comfortable in a seat that has slide, recline and lift functionality plus two-way electric lumbar support.

All the controls you need couldn’t be more conveniently placed, thanks to their positioning on the multi-functional steering wheel, while Google Built-in technology enhances things still further.