Facelifted Qashqai starts at £19,295 20 | 07 | 2017

NISSAN’S FACELIFTED QASHQAI crossover is now on-sale from Scottish dealers priced from £19,295. Boasting a more aggressive front end design, and featuring semi-autonomous technology, the new Qashqai is already being built at Nissan’s Sunderland plant, alongside the all-electric Leaf. (Related: Scots Nissan dealer leads from the front)

Around £500 more expensive than the previous models, the updated ‘family favourite’ is now fitted with a host of additional technical features.

Upgrades to the interior of the facelifted Qashqai include a new-look infotainment system and a new steering wheel with updated multi-function controls. (Related: Nissan Micra gets new 1.0-litre engine)

Elsewhere on the updated options list, buyers can select a seven-speaker sound system. There’s also a new range-topping Tekna+ trim aimed directly at the growing market of premium buyers.

Tekna+ gets new alloys, Nappa leather seats and more luxurious materials around the centre controls. Nissan hopes the new trim level will push the Qashqai into direct competition with premium crossovers, including the BMW X1 and Audi Q3.

Nissan also believes it is leading the race in terms of semi-autonomous technology. Its new Propilot system means the Qashqai will be able to steer, accelerate and brake in a single lane on the motorway, ensuring it’s one of the first mainstream SUV adopters for semi-autonomous technology.

Nissan predicts that by 2020 it will be able to navigate through junctions; before that the system will be updated to able it to change lanes by itself.

Since its launch in 2006, the Qashqai has been a global sales sensation for Nissan. Though it triggered the crossover boom, in recent years the Qashqai has faced ever stiffer competition from the likes of the Kia Sportage, Seat Ateca and VW Tiguan.

The newly facelifted range will carry over engines from the current model. That means buyers will have the choice of 1.2-litre and 1.6-litre petrol options, as well as 1.5-litre and 1.6-litre diesels..

Nissan has also upgrades the crossover’s safety equipment, meaning it’s now equipped with pedestrian detection within its automatic emergency braking system. There’s also a rear cross traffic alert to help while reversing.

Related: Scots Nissan dealer scores a winner

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Jim McGill