Used Nissan Qashqai (Mk3, 2021-date) buyer’s guide: plenty to choose from but rivals are better

Verdict

How many times have you heard someone say that all cars look the same nowadays? It’s an accusation that could be levelled at most of the SUV class, but Nissan bucks that trend because the only model that looks like a Qashqai is its smaller sibling, the Juke. But looks aren’t everything, and the Qashqai Mk3 disappoints with its limited engine choice, relatively cramped cabin and small boot. It’s been beaten by rivals in our tests, including the Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V, Skoda Karoq, Vauxhall Grandland and Peugeot 3008, so check these out before you make any purchase.

Nissan has never been afraid to innovate; in 2010 it created the B-segment SUV with the Juke, but three years earlier it kickstarted the C-segment crossover with the Qashqai. Both cars have been big hits, with the Qashqai spurring on rivals to create their own small SUVs. 

Despite the sector becoming very crowded since the Qashqai arrived 17 years ago, more than four million of these Nissans have been sold – but does that automatically make it a decent used buy?

History

The Qashqai Mk3 reached UK showrooms in June 2021, with a turbocharged mild-hybrid 1.3-litre petrol engine, with either 138bhp or 156bhp. The former came with a six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive, the latter with front-wheel drive and manual or continuously variable automatic (Xtronic) transmissions, or there was an automatic 4WD option.  

The Qashqai e-Power hit UK roads in September 2022, with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine that acted as a generator to drive a 187bhp electric motor. A facelifted car arrived in 2024, with a refreshed nose and tail design, a new N-Design trim, updated cabin styling and improvements to the infotainment.

On the road

After the lacklustre Qashqai Mk2, the Mk3 model is much better to drive, but is still no class leader, even if owners like the dynamics.

Refinement and ride comfort are very good, but it’s a shame that the more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension fitted to cars with 4WD or 20-inch wheels isn’t standard across the range. The e-Power’s engine doesn’t drive the wheels; it charges a battery that powers an electric motor, giving an EV-like drive.

Which one should I buy?

The 1.3 and 1.5-litre engines are fine (if not especially strong), but the CVT auto isn’t as nice as the manual to drive. Entry-level Visia cars have LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors and air-con; Acenta Premium adds dual-zone climate control, a rear parking camera, 17-inch alloy wheels and upgraded infotainment. 

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N-Connecta cars get privacy glass, a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors and 18-inch alloys. The Tekna features a powered tailgate, electric driver’s seat adjustment, a head-up display, heating for the front seats, windscreen and steering wheel, 19-inch wheels, a glass roof and part-synthetic leather trim. 

Finally, the range-topping Tekna+ adds massaging front seats, electric adjustment on the front passenger seat, quilted leather trim and a 10-speaker Bose audio system.

Alternatives to the Nissan Qashqai

Most brands offer a mid-sized SUV, and among the Qashqai’s rivals is the Hyundai Tucson. It’s our favourite contender thanks to its long warranty, generous kit levels and plush interior. Closely related is the Kia Sportage, which we love for the same reasons.

Also consider the Peugeot 3008 and its Vauxhall Grandland, Citroen C5 Aircross and DS7 Crossback cousins. The Toyota RAV4 is a cracking alternative and we’re fans of the Skoda Karoq, which shares much with the SEAT Ateca and Volkswagen Tiguan. Other models to consider include the Ford Kuga, Honda CR-V and Suzuki Vitara. Electric options include the Skoda Enyaq, Renault Scenic, Peugeot E-3008, Audi Q4 e-tron, BMW iX1 and Nissan’s Ariya.

What to look for

Under pressure

Tyre-pressure monitoring is fitted as standard across the range, as with all new cars. But it has been known to warn of issues when there aren’t any.

Air-con regassing

All models have air-con and while it usually works perfectly, some owners have found that the system needs to be regassed more often than they’d expect.

Fuel economy

Nissan claims that the e-Power should average 44mpg, and owners find it’s no problem to achieve this. Some manage more than 70mpg in the right conditions.

Cold rattles

The 1.5-litre engine in e-Power editions can sound very rattly when cold, but it’s a characteristic of this high-tech variable-compression three-cylinder powerplant, so you’ll have to live with the noise.

Interior

Although the dashboard is quite busy, you soon get used to it. Buy a higher-spec model and there’s more technology to deal with, but the choice of materials also improves. 

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What’s disappointing is the relative lack of rear-seat head and legroom. While in isolation it’s not too bad, several rivals feel more roomy, and that doesn’t necessarily come at the expense of boot space. The Qashqai can stow 475 litres with the back seats up, or 1,422 litres with them down, but the Skoda Karoq has 588 and 1,810 litres, and the Hyundai Tucson 577 and 1,756 respectively. The Nissan’s glass roof makes the cabin feel more spacious, yet it eats into headroom more than it does with some competitors.

Running costs

Nissan claims all front-wheel drive and e-Power Qashqais are capable of averaging 44mpg, with 4WD cars pegged at 40mpg. Insurance groups run between 11 (1.3 Visia) and 30 (1.5 E-Power Tekna+), with the biggest-selling models in groups 15-23. 

The service interval is 12 months or 18,000 miles, with the schedule alternating between Minor (£239) and Major (£349) for all versions.  Chain-driven engines mean there’s no cambelt to replace.

The only Qashqai with a list price of more than £40k is the e-Power in Tekna+ trim (at £40,980), making it liable for a hefty £410 VED supplement for the first five years.

Recalls

Three recalls so far is no disaster, with the first campaign coming in November 2021. Just seven Qashqais built in September that year were affected; they left the factory with sub-standard steering racks. The second action was issued in July last year, because four Qashqais made in March 2022 had faulty rear door child locks.

The most recent recall was launched in February 2024, and affected 9,536 Qashqais that were made between May 2021 and September 2022. The problem this time was the steering wheels, which could detect that the driver’s hands were on the wheel when they weren’t. The tech is part of Nissan’s ProPilot safety package.

Driver Power owner satisfaction

The Qashqai Mk3 came 57th out of 75 on its Driver Power New Car survey debut in 2022. It dropped out in 2023, but was 42nd out of 50 in 2024. 

A 12th for refinement was the Nissan’s best rating, while gearbox smoothness came 23rd. Other than that, the Qashqai finished in the second half of the table for everything, including 42nd for fuel economy, 38th for value, 40th for reliability and 42nd for overall quality.

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