The Nissan Qashqai turns 10 years old. He was one of those responsible for popularizing crossovers in the more accessible segments and, until now, he is the absolute leader in sales in relation to this typology. The competition took a while to appear, but nowadays it is quite diversified. The current generation, having been on the market for four years, receives a well-deserved upgrade to better face its rivals.
The crossover receives external and internal updates, with the aim of making it more sophisticated, both in appearance and in content.
On the outside, the new front stands out, with new bumpers and optics. The front is now more expressive, with the V-motion grille growing in both width and height. The rear gets new bumpers and the optics have their revised filling. Two colors are added to the Qashqai's palette – Vivid Blue and Chestnut Bronze – and finally it gets redesigned wheels measuring between 17 and 19 inches.
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It is, however, in the interior and in the technological contents that the new Qashqai stands out. The interior receives a new steering wheel with new controls and infotainment system with new interface. According to Nissan, the materials are of better quality. The Japanese brand also promises a quieter interior, thanks to a thicker rear window and revised vibration-absorbing materials.
rear
The range is now topped by a new level of equipment, the Tekna+, which departs from the other versions by bringing new leather seats and an exclusive 3D coating on the central panels. Also available as an option is a top-of-the-range BOSE sound system with seven speakers.
ProPILOT: autonomous driving technology in Qashqai
The big highlight is the possibility of equipping the Qashqai with the Nissan ProPILOT. In other words, the crossover will debut in its autonomous driving technology class. Initially, the system will be able, in a single lane on the highway, to accelerate, brake and correct the direction. The system allows updates, so it will gain new features. Next year, it will be able to change lanes, and Nissan says that by 2020, it will be able to cross intersections safely.
Mechanically there are no changes. Engines available include the 110 hp 1.5 dCi, the 130 hp 1.6 dCi on the Diesel side, and the 115 hp 1.2 DIG petrol engine.
The Nissan Qashqai magazine will arrive in various European markets next July.