The Nissan Qashqai: A compact SUV with history!

Thomas Wachsmuth 10 October 2023 Nissan

Reading time 4 Min.

The Nissan Qashqai, known in Japan as dualis, is a compact SUV from the Japanese manufacturer Nissan. The name is a homage to the nomadic people native to Iran Kashgai. Back in 2006, at the Paris Motor Show, audiences were introduced to the Qashqai for the first time. A few months later, more precisely on February 24, 2007, it also found its way onto the German market, cleverly positioned between that Nissan Tiida and the X-trail. The production vehicle has its origins in a study that was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 2004.

the Nissan Qashqai

A special highlight: The design of the Qashqai was created when it opened in 2003 Nissan Design Center Europe in London. The development center in Cranfield was responsible for the technology, while final assembly took place in the British Nissan factory. In 2008 there was a surprise for SUV lovers: the Qashqai + 2. This was extended by 21 centimeters, so it measures a total of 453 cm and has three rows of seats. Particularly practical: the two rear seats can be lowered into the vehicle floor. And the trunk volume is also impressive at 500 liters - that's 90 liters more than the standard Qashqai.

From 2010 there was a facelift

In 2010, both the Qashqai and the Qashqai+2 received a facelift that brought them into line with the current Nissan design line. But further development did not stop: in 2013 the second generation of the Qashqai was presented in London and came onto the market in Germany in 2014. And the third generation? It was launched in 2021 Renault-Nissan CMF-C platform presented and went on sale in the summer of the same year. When it comes to equipment, the Qashqai has a lot to offer. Starting with the basic equipment Visia and Agency and N-Connect up to the luxury variants N vision and Tekna. In conclusion, it can be said that the Qashqai is not only a cool vehicle, but also a piece of automotive history.

Technical data and facts about the Nissan Qashqai

Model Name: Nissan Qashqai (In Japan as Nissan Dualis known)
Segment: Compact SUV from the Japanese car manufacturer Nissan
Origin of name: Reference to the nomadic Kashgai people of Iran
Production location for Europe: Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd. in Washington
special feature: Britain's most produced vehicle in 2017

Qashqai (J10, 2006-2013)

Presentation: September 6, 2006 at the Paris Motor Show
Market entry in Germany: 24. February 2007
Positioning: Between Nissan Tiida and Nissan X-Trail
Design: First production model from the Nissan Design Center Europe in London, which opened in 2003
Final assembly: British Nissan factory
Technique: Development Center in Cranfield

Qashqai + 2

Market entry: October 2008
Dimensions: Extended by 21 centimeters to 453 cm
Rows of seats: Three, with retractable third-row seats
Wheelbase: Grew by 13 centimeters
Height: 4 centimeters higher than the standard Qashqai
Identifying features: Roof rails, larger third side windows, reshaped doors, changed roofline, new grille, larger rear window, modified bumper
Inner space: Second row of seats can be folded in three different ways, nine different positions for the backrests
Trunk size: 500 liters with the third row of seats retracted
Extras: Elect. adjustable panoramic glass roof

Model update (2010)

Facelift: The front and rear were adapted to the then current Nissan design line

Qashqai (J11, 2013-2021)

Presentation: November 2013 in London
Market entry in Germany: 15. February 2014
Production site: British factory of Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd. near Washington
Equipment variants: Visia, Acenta, N-Connecta (360°), N-Vision, Tekna
special feature: Facelift presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2017

Qashqai (J12, since 2021)

Preview: Nissan gave a first look at the third generation with the concept vehicle iMq concept in March 2019.
For sale: October 2020 (postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic)
Presentation: February 2021
Platform: Renault-Nissan CMF-C platform (also used by Renaults Austral)
Special models: Premiere Edition (2021), Black Edition (2023)
Safety: Five out of five stars in the Euro NCAP safety test (2021)