Car Statistics: Nissan - Qashqai Series 07 (4 stars)

Styling (3 stars)

The original Qashqai's vaguely anonymous nose has been pinched for a more aggressive look, but the new car will remain instantly recognisable to its sizable fan base. There's even less to report inside, where the polishing is minimal, but the crossover's interior remains robust, conservative and ultimately likeable.

Handling (4 stars)

One of the first Qashqai's finest characteristics was the competence of its handling, and its successor is no different. The high sided crossover clings on with surprising vigour in the corners and body roll is always well-controlled. Decent steering and improved ride quality mean the Qashqai flows along British roads with aplomb. The 4x4 adds a bit more traction, but as any meaningful off-road ability is limited, we wouldn't recommend it.

Comfort (4 stars)

Increasing the sense of both comfort and refinement in the Qashqai were central aims of Nissan's facelift, and this shows behind the wheel of the new car. Thanks to uprated dampers, the crossover's ride has found the cushion that its increasingly brittle predecessor was missing, and better sound proofing makes the engine seem slightly further away from the driver even if it doesn't deal with the noise completely.

Quality (4 stars)

The Qashqai is meant as affordable family transport, and it shows on the inside. Don't expect the finish of Volkswagen Golf, but don't expect anything to fall apart either. The Nissan is built to last a thousand school runs.

Performance (3 stars)

The Qashqai's engine line-up is unchanged by the facelift. The omnipresent 1.5dCI will continue to be the best seller; its accessible torque and frugality make it a worthy choice over the more powerful 2.0-litre diesel. The 2.0-litre petrol is reasonably refined, but actually slower than the equivalent oil burner, while the 1.6-litre engine's lack of torque make it hard work on the open road.

Roominess (3 stars)

Sitting in the back of the Qashqai it is necessary to remind yourself that the crossover is a competitor for the Ford Focus, and not the full-sized SUV its proportions promise. That said, it does seat four adults in comfort and the Qashqai+2 adds two seats in the boot to make it a seven seater - although these are strictly for children.

Costs (4 stars)

Nissan quotes 57mpg for the 1.5dCI Pure Drive which might not achievable in the real world. Still, the Qashqai returned 43mpg on a brisk commute, and don?t expect to see the figure fall below 40mpg even with over-enthusiastic driving. The Pure Drive variant also drops the crossover into VED band D which means 12 months tax is just £90.

Value (4 stars)

Like the hatchbacks it is up against, the Qashqai's success depends on it being considered good value for money. The fact that the car has already been a huge sales success would suggest that the buying public are already in favour of its pricing, but the manufacturer will be watching the Qashqai's new competitors with interest. The Skoda Yeti and the Peugeot 3008 are priced (and equipped) to compete with Nissan's trailblazer.

Stereo (4 stars)

The Qashqai's stereo is workmanlike in its adequacy, while the sat-nav suffers from a screen small enough to make you squint as you take your eyes off the traffic. Nevertheless, the display is smooth and accurate in its simplicity.