Autoblog

The Qashqai is a European-designed, Japan- and Euro-market crossover. We didn't drive the gasoline version, but the diesel is doable, if a little slow off the line, and the steering is pretty crisp for a CUV. The Qashqai +2 adds a third row... but there really isn't a lot of room back there, only suitable for new additions to the family. In a theme among all of the Nissan vehicles we drove today, the interior is quite pleasant. As ever, the Euros get mid-range vehicles with some really nice fit and finish. The leather in the diesel was especially nice, if a little puffy. The center console pleases the eye at a glance, but when you look closely at it you realize there are enough buttons and glyphs for a Sikorsky helicopter. It really takes scrutiny to decipher, and you don't want to do it while you're driving. But the panorama roof? Magnificent.

You can head over to the Nissan 360 event site for more details on the vehicles. But first, be sure to check out the gallery of hi-res photos below.



Our travel and lodging for this media event was provided by the manufacturer.

Click above to view the new Nissan Qashqai ad.

After Nissan scored creative points with its last Qashqai spot showing the 'lil CUV taking to the half pipe and performing skateboard stunts that would make Rodney Mullen's head spin, its now released a new campaign that involves – God help us – a driving dog, a Thai musical stunt team and a flaming hoop. The ad is part of Nissan's newest viral campaign that will highlight four amateur performance groups – the first from Thailand, followed by teams of Flemish, Polish and African descent – on the blog.spannerleague.com website. Look for new videos to pop up each month, but without further ado, hit the jump to watch man's best friend risk life and four limbs along with his band of (obviously fake) Thai musicians.

Click image for a high-res gallery of the Nissan Qashqai+2

Nissan's Euro-market compact crossover, the Qashqai, is growing. This week, the automaker announces the impending arrival of the Qashqai+2, a seven-seat variant. A ridiculously lengthy press release touting the car's enhanced practicality and the "independence" it bestows upon owners can be read after the jump, but you can distill it down to this: Nissan's going after families, since that demo is underrepresented on the five-seat Qashqai's sales charts.

The Qashqai+2's wheelbase is stretched five inches over the standard car, and it's eight inches longer overall. To accommodate the third row, the roofline has also been raised and reshaped a bit. There's no denying that the Qashqai is an attractive vehicle, and that adjective can also be used to describe the impressive , optional panoramic glass roof. The +2 also gets a 40/20/40 split second row bench, as opposed to the 60/40 you'll find in the five-seater. Powertrain options are identical to the regular Qashqai -- two diesels and two gasoline engines are offered along with a variety of standard, automatic, and CVT transmissions depending on which powerplant you choose.

So, what about that third row? Well, if the pictures are any indication, it looks like its suitable for young'uns, mostly -- or maybe grown-ups you're not particularly fond of. Using it also vaporizes the car's cargo space. The public gets its first look at Qashqai+2 at the London Motor Show this July, with sales to follow in October.


[Source: Nissan via Autoblog Spanish]

In Europe, when one says "football", they are more than likely talking about what we Americans call soccer. That is unless you're talking about the Nissan Qashqai CUV, which goes all Dukes of Hazard over the ramp, through the uprights, and onto a cushy platform in a Euro commercial. The tag line is "Nissan Qashqai 3, visitors 0." It's hard to guess exactly the message behind the spot, but any fan of American football in Europe who wants to jump ramps and do stunt work should definitely check out the Qashqai. Check out the video after the jump.

Editor Note: As several posters pointed out in the comments, the Qashqai video is making a Rugby reference, not American Football. Maybe we can get the Qashqai to perform at halftime for our American football games anyway.

Thanks for the tip, Liv!

[Source: Netsummary]