Nissan Qashqai Tekna+ DIG-T 158 - long-term review

Safe is good, we all like safe. Imagine my delight, then, when I read that the new Nissan Qashqai has been awarded not just a five star Euro NCAP rating but also Euro NCAP’s Best in Class 2021 award. Makes heading out on the M25 a less concerning experience altogether.

Which is a very positive start to my burgeoning relationship with this much-loved-by-many-UK-families crossover. Back in 2020, I ran the smallest SUV offering from the Nissan family – the Juke. We got on OK, but never really bonded... as much my fault as the Juke’s, I guess.

However, even after just one trip in the Qashqai I already felt more of a kinship with it than I ever had with the smaller Nissan. 

I had no hand in specifying the QQ, but whoever made the choices (thank you Ollie Kew) did a fine job. The Qashqai you see before you is a Tekna+, which means it has everything as standard – in fact there are but two items on the QQ that are cost options: ceramic grey pearlescent paint and two-tone grey and pearl black roof, costing £745 and £400 respectively.

To be brutally honest, if you were looking to save a grand, you could easily get by without either of them. If you did that, the OTR cost would be a somewhat startlingly good value £36,125.

Two (cold) weeks into running the Nissan and, so far, my absolute favourite feature would have to be the Heat Pack, comprising heated seats, heated steering wheel and a heated windscreen – essentially a winter survival pack.

Closely following that on my Love List is the noise the satnav makes to warn you of impending traffic cameras – highly appropriately, it’s very similar to the noise Road Runner makes! No doubt I’ll find that very useful on several upcoming trips I need to make out to the Cotswolds and into good old London town.