Back in February this year, Nissan unveiled the third-gen of the Qashqai compact crossover. It has been quite a seller in Europe, with over three million examples sold so far since its inception 14 years back. The third-gen Qashqai rides on a new platform, features changes inside out, and comes with hybrid engine options only. There has been a lot of weight-saving measures, too, which will result in the crossover being more efficient than before. All these changes come at a cost, which results in the 2021 Qashqai being significantly more expensive than the outgoing model.

2021 Nissan Qashqai Exterior

The Nissan Qashqai has gotten a lot bolder and sharper than the previous model. There are a lot more cuts and creases all around and it looks much smarter now. It is still unmistakably a Nissan. Up front, it wears the V-Motion grille along with full LED matrix headlights and signature boomerang-shaped daytime running lights.

The automaker is also offering the new Qashqai with 20-inch wheels, something that was unheard of in the crossover’s 13-year history. What also makes the Qashqai an interesting prospect is its exterior color options. Nissan offers it 16 different shades, which includes 11 single and five dual-tone colors. And this is generally not the case with every model, but the Qashqai looks pretty sweet in all of them. The dual-tone shades include:

-* Ceramic Grey and Pearl Black

-* Pearl White and Pearl Black

-* Magnetic Blue and Pearl Black

-* Black Metallic and Grey

-* Fuji Sunset Red and Pearl Black

The 2021 Qashqai measures 174.2 inches in length, 72.2 inches in width, and 64 inches in height. This makes it 1.4 inches longer, 1.3 inches wider, and an inch taller than its predecessor. The wheelbase now measures 104.9 inches, which is 0.8 inches longer.

2021 Nissan Qashqai exterior dimensions

2021 Nissan Qashqai Interior

The cabin sees a big jump when it comes to quality and aesthetics. There are more soft-touch materials used all around that give it a premium feel. Nissan has made use of soothing white ambient lighting throughout. The buttons and switchgear don’t feel plastic-ky either and offer tactile feedback. Behind the steering wheel is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that displays all the drive-related info, navigation, and infotainment controls though.

Other than this, it is also compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa devices, and comes with a Wi-Fi hotspot that can connect to up to seven devices. You can also opt for a 10.8-inch head-up display for additional money that projects navigation, road information, and driver assistance. Nissan says it is the biggest display offered in the segment. USB ports are also offered for the front and rear passengers.

In terms of space also the Qashqai has gotten better. The headroom is increased by 0.6 inches, whereas the knee room for the rear passengers is increased by 1.1 inches. This is the result of a longer wheelbase. The crossover comes with a cargo space of 17.8 cubic feet with all seats in place and 30.4 cubic feet with the second row flipped down. This is an increase of 1.8 cubic feet over the previous model and comes courtesy of the cargo floor being lowered by 0.8 inches.

2021 Nissan Qashqai Drivetrain

The Nissan Qashqai rides on a new Alliance CMF-C platform. The crossover is powered by a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine with a 12-volt mild-hybrid technology as standard. It is offered in two different power states. It churns out 138 horses and 177 pound-feet of torque in one offering and 156 horses and 192 pound-feet of torque in the other. Both these adequate iterations come paired with a six-speed manual gearbox that sends power to the front wheels.

If you’re looking for a two-pedal layout, Nissan offers a lousy CVT, too, that’s known for the annoying rubber-band effect. This engine is clearly focused on efficiency and smooth ride quality. If you are looking to push it hard, look elsewhere or be prepared to be disappointed. Power is sent to the front wheels here as standard, but you can opt for the all-wheel-drive configuration for extra moolah. The Qashqai comes with five driving modes – Standard, Eco, Sport, Snow, and Off-Road.

The mild-hybrid system adds just 48.5 pounds to the overall weight of the crossover. This is, however, compensated to an extent by other weight-saving measures. The tailgate, for instance, now weighs 5.7 pounds lighter. All the doors, front fenders, and hood are now made of aluminum which cumulatively shaves off another 46 pounds. With all the dietary measures considered, the 2021 Qashqai weighs 132 pounds lighter than the outgoing model.

The Qashqai will also be available with the e-Power setup that comes with a 1.5-liter engine setup. It makes 187 horses and 243 pound-feet of torque. It features an e-Pedal operation like the Nissan Leaf where drivers can operate the crossover with just a single pedal.

2021 Nissan Qashqai Premier Edition

Nissan has introduced a new Premier Edition on the 2021 Qashqai. It includes:

-* ProPilot with Navigation

-* Adaptive driving beam

-* A 10.8-inch Head-up Display

-* A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster

-* Glass roof and roof rails

-* 18-inch diamond-cut wheels

-* Two-tone exterior shade

2021 Nissan Qashqai Pricing

All these changes come at a cost. The Qashqai now starts at £29,270, which is $40,510 as per the exchange rates at the time of penning this article. This is a premium of almost £6,000 (approximately $8,300) over the preceding model. We’re yet to hear about the pricing of every trim, but expect it to be on the same lines and the top trim in the ballpark of £35,000 (approximately $48,500). The starting price is for the Premier Edition with a manual gearbox. The CVT model is priced at £31,790 (approximately $44,000).

2021 Nissan Qashqai Driver-Assistance and Safety Features

Nissan has upgraded its suite of driver-assistance and safety features on the 2021 Qashqai. Some of the features include:

-* ProPilot with Navi Link

-* Emergency Braking

-* Forward Collision

-* Lane Intervention

-* Rear Automatic Braking with Pedestrian Detection

-* Central Airbag

Final Thoughts

The 2021 Nissan Qashqai is an improvement over the second-gen vehicle. The updated drivetrains now come with hybrid technology that makes it efficient, but it lacks the punch. The CVT makes matters worse. But, let’s keep in mind that isn’t a crossover you would buy to push hard on straight roads or around the corners. As a budget family crossover, it is a perfect package. All the aesthetic enhancements have only made it better than before. The cabin is all the more spacious now and the tech upgrades and are also aplenty. The Qashqai is an important product for Nissan and it has done a good job with the third-gen of the crossover. This model is also a preview of what to expect from the U.S.-spec Rogue Sport.