The 3rd-generation Qashqai comes with a new look, overhauled interior and upgraded safety. Can the new Nissan Qashqai tow. Need a towbar? How much can the new Qashqai actually tow?

The 3rd-generation Qashqai comes with a new look, overhauled interior and upgraded safety. Can the new Nissan Qashqai tow.  Need a towbar? How much can the new Qashqai actually tow?

Nissan’s latest, third-generation Qashqai improves over its predecessor, with more space, better onboard tech and useful practical touches that give the Japanese manufacturer’s family crossover just enough of a lift to remain relevant in an increasingly competitive market.

The Qashqai’s interior looks smart and feels well put together compared with many of its mainstream rivals.

There’s decent space for adults in the front of the Nissan Qashqai, with more than enough headroom.
Getting in and out of the back seats is easy, thanks to rear doors that open to 85 degrees – wider than any other car in the class. That really improves access and is also a blessing if you’re putting kids in child seats. Once inside, the Qashqai’s rear seats are reasonably roomy by class standards, with good headroom

Inside, a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen running the brand's latest infotainment system features, with wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, satellite navigation, digital radio and support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice assistants all on board.

A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster – the first of its kind on a Qashqai – showing navigation, media and vehicle information sits in front of the steering wheel, with a 10.8-inch head-up display projecting vital information onto the windscreen also available on higher grades.

The various screens also offer support for the NissanConnect smartphone app – allowing users to remotely control the horn, lights, central locking and other parameters – plus live traffic for the sat-nav system, over-the-air updates and Wi-Fi hotspot for up to seven devices.

White ambient lighting features throughout the cabin, complemented on higher model grades by a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system, USB-A and USB-C ports for front and rear passengers, and a 15-watt wireless smartphone charging pad capable of supporting Apple's largest iPhones.

The 3rd generation Qashqai is 4425mm long, 1635mm high and 1838mm wide, with a 2666mm wheelbase, the new SUV is 35mm longer in overall length, 10mm taller, 32mm wider and 20mm longer in wheelbase than the outgoing model.

These increases directly translate to increased passenger space, with an additional 28mm of rear knee room, and an extra 15mm of headroom front and rear.

The boot is up 50 litres and now allows for 490 litres – thanks to a 20mm-lower boot floor with an adjustable partition.  Need to carry more or take your bikes along on your next weekend away.  Why not fit an Invisible, detachable Qashqai towbar. Nissan has rated the 3rd generation at a max of 2200kgs.   

Safety has always been a big deal for Nissan, and the new Qashqai continues that trend. A full suite of driver assistance technologies will be offered with the new Qashqai.

At the forefront is the updated ProPilot with Navi-link system that, on automatic models, combines adaptive cruise control (with stop-and-go), lane-keep assist and lane-following assist to automatically accelerate, brake and centre the car in its lane on the highway.

The Qashqai's ProPilot system also incorporates traffic-sign recognition to detect changing speed limits and alter the vehicle's speed automatically, while satellite navigation data is also used to reduce the car's speed for corners and turn-off ramps.

Other active safety systems onboard include autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, a 'flank protection' warning, and the aforementioned adaptive cruise control, lane-following assist, speed sign recognition and blind-spot monitoring – with the blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alert systems capable of both detecting and braking for obstacles.

Airbags galore are standard-fit, including a centre airbag between the front seats to prevent passengers' heads from making contact in a side collision.

The new Qashqai is a big improvement over the previous model. Ultimately it’s not dramatically different, but a good deal of small changes combine to make this an even better car than before.

Need a towbar for your new third-generation Qashqai - we have you covered.  Available early December pre-order today to secure yours today.