JOHN McCABE NISSAN DROGHEDA WINS TOP NISSAN DEALER AWARD

Nissan’s prestigious ‘Overall Dealer of the Year Award’ has been won by John McCabe Nissan Drogheda for the second time, writes Trish Whelan. The Louth dealership scored top marks in a series of audits that assessed how the five finalists had created a customer-centric culture and maintained an exceptional commitment to excellence and innovation. The award was accepted by Robert McCabe, Dealer Principal at John McCabe Nissan Drogheda. 

The award for ‘Nissan Aftersales Dealer of the year’ was won by Randles Bros in Tralee; Windsor MotorMall Galway were named as the ‘Nissan Sales Dealer of the Year’. 

Nissan Ireland Managing Director Seamus Morgan commended all Nissan dealers across the country for the high standard they achieved in the audit and evaluation process. All 28 Nissan dealerships competed for one of the coveted awards which were presented in three different categories after a rigorous process of assessment and evaluation by Nissan Ireland.

NEW SMALL SUV FROM NISSAN

Nissan is to launch a new small crossover, named Kicks, featuring its e-Power hybrid technology, in Europe, writes Brian Byrne. The company is investing £170m to produce it at its Sunderland plant in the UK, which marks its 40th anniversary this year, and the Kicks will join the Qashqai, Juke, and Leaf on the production line. 

The Kicks, already built in Japan, Mexico, and Brazil, has sold over 1.8 million units globally. The Sunderland plant, which has produced 12 million vehicles since 1986, will also manufacture the all-electric third-generation Juke next year. 

The Kicks will feature the third-generation e-power system, offering improved fuel efficiency and emissions.  

ELECTRIC CITY CAR COMING FROM NISSAN

Nissan is re-entering Europe’s A-segment with the Pixo, an all-electric city car to be built in Europe, writes Brian Byrne. Unveiled on World EV Day, PIXO will debut fully on 23 September 2026. 

It joins Nissan’s electric lineup alongside the Leaf, Micra, and the upcoming Juke EV, offering a compact and stylish option for urban mobility.

The car will share its platform with the Renault Twingo E-Tech and the new-generation Dacia Spring EVs, to be built in Slovenia.

Nissan previously used the Pixo name for a city car produced between 2009-2013. 

Third generation Nissan LEAF EV now on sale here

Nissan’s third-generation LEAF electric car has been reimagined as a spacious family crossover, writes Trish Whelan and Brian Byrne. The model has sold close to 700,000 units since its debut in 2010 when it was the first mass-produced electric vehicle with a range of just 120kms. 

The new model is completely different to the previous model with a sleek new exterior design - every part designed with aerodynamics in mind - a longer range of up to 622 kilometres, faster charging speeds, intuitive technology and more spacious interior providing good seating for five adults, 437 litres of cargo space and power-operated tailgate. Boot space is 437 litres with all seats in use. Onboard technology is designed for seamless integration. NissanConnect with Google built-in offers Google Maps with In Car Route Planner linked to the range in the battery; Google Assistance for hands-free control over navigation, media, climate; and Google Play for apps, streaming and productivity tools. 

The new LEAF comes with a suite of advanced safety and driver assistance features including emergency braking, blind spot intervention to rear cross traffic alert. Its 3D Around View monitor, invisible bonnet view (being able to look below the car), and front wide view, make parking and navigating tight spaces easier, and safer. 

Batteries are a 52kWh with up to 424kms range, and 75kWh battery which offers up to 622kms. Both variants support DC fast-charging (unlike previously), and are available in three grades of Engage, Engage+, Advance, and Evolve. Standard features on the entry level variant includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED signature front and rear lamps, flush door handles, paddle shift for regeneration controls-Pedal Step, heat pump, ProPILOT with Navi-link, and Vehicle-to-Load capability. 

Driving the Engage+ 52kWh battery powered at its Irish launch to motoring journalists last week, we were impressed with the car’s exterior styling, spacious interior, the 12.3-inch dual integrated screens for infotainment and driver’s information cluster, the 3D around view monitor, and with the car’s drivability. 

LEAF Generation 3 model is built at Nissan’s production plant in Sunderland. Prices are from €36,095 to €51,795. All pricing is inclusive of applicable VRT Relief. Pricing for the more powerful 75kWh Advance and Evolve grades excludes the SEAI €3,500 grant.

The three generations of the LEAF are pictured below.

NISSAN MICRA REVIEW: BRIAN BYRNE, IRISH CAR

If there was only one thing I would like to have on every car resulting from the advent of EVs, it's the 'one-pedal' system which uses the braking effect of the electric motor to regenerate energy and slow the car at the same time, writes Brian Byrne. With that technology, on pretty well most of any journey I rarely have to use the brakes, as I can usually calibrate my regeneration action to bring the car to a full halt at standard junctions or roundabouts. It gets so intuitive that when I switch back to an ordinary ICE car, it can take some time to get used to the fact that it's not there. Meaning some hurried pedal shifting for the first couple of brakes-needed occasions. 

I was thinking about that when recently spending time with the current Nissan Micra. Which has the feature, though the company wasn't the first to introduce it. When the second generation Leaf came with the facility, cars like BMW's first i3 (not to be confused with the current EV version of the 3 Series) had already made it popular. That said, the Micra is in many respects a masterclass in making a small electric car. It looks good, with a perky but not OTT style. It's sized properly as a small B-segment hatchback with no pretensions to be an SUV. The interior styling and fittings are modern, with enough traditional shapes to keep older owners happy. Most of all, the pair of screens integrated in an angled housing are clear, with big colourful graphics for both information and the virtual buttons that manage a selection of functions. Key functions are operated by toggle switches under the central unit. 

Once settled in the driver’s seat, it's a standout that a lot of thought was put into the ergonomics. My driving position was excellent. Nothing was out of my sightline when I needed to see it. The white symbols on the steering wheel controls stood out strongly. A quirk, though, is that the steering column-mounted transmission selector doesn't have a Park function, and it can be fiddly slipping it into N when stopped and then operating the electronic parking brake. The seats in my review car, which was the top Evolve grade, were especially supportive. The external details in that grade included two-tone paint and more distinctive alloys.

On size, the Micra is a tad longer and wider than its close cousin, the Renault 5 E-Tech, and will give away height and length to the coming Cupra Raval and VW ID Polo competitors when they get here. As with all these, the Micra is essentially a four-seater in comfort, though rear legroom behind a long driver might be challenging. Boot capacity at 326L is average for the segment.

This generation of the Micra only comes with electric drive. There are two battery options, 40kWh and 52kWh, only the bigger one in the Evolve grade, and it is rated at a maximum 416km range — real world is likely closer to 330km. The version with the smaller battery is really only designed for urban use, with a rated maximum 317km (c.260km). It comes as no surprise that the larger battery is the most popular buy.

The motor is powerful enough to provide an 8s acceleration to 100km/h if needed. Like all EVs, the powertrain is quiet, which may be partly why there was some road noise evident, depending on the surfaces.

Some cars take a little time to get used to, others less so. When I got into the Micra, I felt immediately at home. That reflects overall good design thinking. 

PRICE: From €29,995; review car €32,995. WHAT I LIKED: A car well thought through. 

Nissan offers for new Government scrappage scheme

Nissan Ireland has announced new offers tied to the Government’s ICE2EV scrappage scheme, which opens for applications on 1 July, writes Brian Byrne. Drivers with petrol or diesel cars registered in 2013 or earlier can qualify for the scheme, which is expected to run on a first-come, first-served basis for a limited time. 

Eligible buyers can receive €5,000 scrappage plus a €3,500 EV grant, and Nissan says that can be combined with its €4k Your Way offer to cut €12,500 from the price of a new Nissan Ariya. That brings the Ariya’s starting price down to €34,995, according to Nissan Ireland. The company also said the Ariya offers two battery options with ranges of up to 404km and 532km.

Nissan is also promoting discounts across its electric range, including the new Nissan Micra, which starts from €20,995 under the scheme and offers ranges of 317km or 416km. The new Nissan LEAF is also available to pre-order and test drive, with a top range of 622km and pricing from €29,995. 

Nissan's €4K 262 offer

Nissan Ireland has launched a new 262 plate promotion designed to help car buyers navigate the growing electrified car market, writes Brian Byrne. The ‘€4k Your Way’ offer gives customers a choice of either a €4,000 finance contribution or a €4,000 trade-in bonus when purchasing a new 262 Nissan X-Trail, Qashqai, Juke or Ariya, with 4.9% APR finance also available.

The X-Trail, Qashqai and Juke are available as hybrids, while the Ariya is a fully electric model.

Interested buyers can find out more at nissan.ie, or book a test drive with their local Nissan dealer.

Nissan Micra First Drive: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

When a small car lasts through six generations without changing its name, there's obviously a level of trans-generational affection involved, writes Brian Byrne. That's the case with the Nissan Micra, introduced in Ireland in 1983, the same year that Shergar was kidnapped and never seen again. (Who was Shergar, you wonder? Yep, well that's absolute trans-generational and nothing to do with cars — a valuable horse stolen for ransom, it's believed by the Provisional IRA.) Anyway, between then and the end of the 'noughties', some 140,000 Micras were sold in Ireland. Over four of those model generations, it was the car that most people were likely to learn to drive in, and most likely to downsize to when they became empty-nesters. For the record, we owned a late 2002 version that served faithfully for a decade before suffering terminal damage in a 'timpiste'.

It's fair to say that the last two versions didn't make the same impact on the Irish market, up against a trend towards larger cars and a lot of competition in the segment. But now, the brand is aiming to win back a whole new generation, as Nissan's most accessible electric car.

Let's deal with the elephant in the room first. The new Micra is on the same platform as the Renault R5 and is built on a Renault assembly line in France. That doesn't make it any less a Nissan, and the styling sets it distinctly away from the French car. 

As was the case with the second and third generation Micras, the designers of this latest one clearly wanted their customers to smile when they looked at their car. The big semi-circles of DRLs/indicators above and below the main lights up front — help to make that happen (they also 'wink' when the car is unlocked). These are reflected in the round styling of the rear lights, softening the look at both ends but without taking away from what is a purposeful profile. Nice that they didn't try to make it a pseudo-small SUV — it's a hatchback in the best of that small car tradition. Not of that tradition are the large wheels, 18-inch as standard, adding to the overall stature of the car. Upper versions have a contrasting black roof, giving it the popular 'floating' look.

Inside, there's nothing small-car about the driver space. A large panel integrates the infotainment and the driver's instrumentation. All graphics are big and intuitive — this is where the Chinese competition still has, largely, something to learn. Key climate controls are proper switches on the centre stack, and there's a single switch to change to preferred driver assistance setups (making most of the beeps and bumps switch off).

The driving position feels good and provides excellent visibility in all directions. The steering wheel is flattened top and bottom and is pleasantly grippable (remind me to tell you about the 'yoke' in the Lexus I'm currently driving. Gimmicky change is not for the best). I had plenty of head and elbow room, though getting in and out was a little iffier, but that problem is me being older and more stiff than I used to be. The new Micra is longer, wider, and has a longer wheelbase than the most popular one from 20 years ago. The cargo volume is 326L, a good 30 per cent more.

The powertrain has two battery sizes, offering rated ranges of 317km or 416km — the Irish market reality in this scenario is that most people buy the larger battery model, for an extra €2,000 or so in the Micra's case. There are three grades; the middle Evolve one is expected to be the dominant choice.

I had a good opportunity in my first drive event with the Micra to test the 'smiley' character. It's definitely there, and I look forward to more grinning when I have the time to take it for a full evaluation. Meantime, I think there will be many smiling owners already on the road by then.

Nissan has the longest experience in electric car sales, from the original Leaf's launch in 2010. More than any other, they arguably know best how to pre-qualify a customer for an EV — in other words, their salespeople are told not to sell one to a customer for whom it wouldn't suit. Nissan Ireland's own research is that 95 per cent of their EV customers over the decade and a half have been happy with their choice. The new Micra will probably raise that ratio even higher.

PRICE: From €25,995. WHAT I LIKED: Another car to smile about. 

Electric Juke in spring 2027

Nissan’s all-electric Juke will arrive next year as the carmaker expands its European EV line-up, writes Brian Byrne. Unveiled at Nissan’s Vision event in Japan, the third-generation Juke is the first fully electric version of Nissan’s compact crossover.

Built on the CMF-EV platform and set to be produced at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the UK, the new Juke is part of the company’s broader push toward electrification in Europe. Nissan said the model will join an expanding EV range that includes the new Micra, third-generation Leaf, Ariya, and Townstar, with another A-segment EV also planned.

The electric Juke will retain the bold character that helped make the model a success since its 2010 debut, while adding zero-emission driving and Vehicle-to-Grid capability.

Nissan said hybrid models, including the Juke HEV and Qashqai e-POWER, will remain in its line-up as it offers customers a mix of electrified options. 

Nissan MY 2026 X-Trail is 'tougher and more connected'

For 25 years, the Nissan X-Trail has been one of Nissan’s most successful global SUVs, synonymous with rugged capability, writes Trish Whelan. 

Nissan has now presented the tougher and more connected 2026 X-Trail with a sturdier, redesigned front fascia with a wider grille to give greater visual presence. It is also loaded with standard specification and high tech features that includes seamless connectivity with Google built-in infotainment offered for the first time on X-Trail, and 3D Around View Monitor. 

The cabin has also been upgraded for more comfort and quality while staying true to its durable, adventurous nature, with new materials including chestnut brown premium quilted leather upholstery, brown wood console trim, and a high-quality synthetic leather option. Across the range, comfort-enhancing features include heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, three-zone air conditioning, 12.3-inch infotainment screen and enhanced trims. A sliding 40/20/40 second row adds flexible space for passengers or larger gear. Optional equipment such as a BOSE 10-speaker premium audio system, heated windscreen and towing hitch receiver increase practicality for adventurous lifestyles. 

The upgraded N-Trek grade - the most adventurous X-Trail to date - has been given a tougher stance, bespoke detailing and materials are chosen for harsher, more frequent use. Both 2WD and 4WD versions are offered, with max power of 204hp and 213hp respectively, and max torque of 330Nm. This model year update for Spring 2026 strengthens its core character with a more assertive look, enhanced onboard comfort and greater connected technology and Nissan’s unique e-POWER technology available on Qashqai and X-Trail; e-POWER delivers full electric motor drive for instant torque, smooth acceleration, and EV-like quietness without the need for charging. 

The updated 2026 Nissan X-Trail will be available to order in the second half of 2026.

New Leaf wins Women's World Compact COTY

The Nissan Leaf was named Best Compact Car by Women's World Car of The Year, the only all-women jury of motoring journalists, writes Brian Byrne. The WWCOTY awards are evaluated by 84 journalists from 54 countries.

The new Leaf features an aerodynamic design, two battery options (52 or 75kWh), and Google built-in for connectivity and hands-free control.

The third-generation Leaf was praised by the jurors for its design, performance, and role in the move to electric vehicle.  

New Nissan Leaf coming in March

Nissan's all-new Leaf will arrive in showrooms in the coming weeks with a starting price of just €34,995, writes Brian Byrne. Reimagined as a crossover, the new car has a claimed top range of 622 km and can recover 420 km in 30 minutes of DC fast charging.

The car comes with two battery options: a 52kWh version rated at over 440 km and a 75kWh model.

The new Leaf is available in four grades. It is due to arrive in dealerships in March. 

Dealers are now accepting pre-orders and booking test drives. 

Nissan gives new van buyers boost with fuel or tools

Nissan is giving van drivers three ways to boost their business when they purchase any 261 Nissan van, writes Trish Whelan. Its ‘Fuel Up or Tool Up’ offers reward new van buyers with a €750 voucher to put towards fuel, tools or genuine Nissan accessories. 

The offer can also be combined with 4.9 per cent APR Finance up to 30 December 2025 which is available across the full range of Nissan vans. It is available on the Nissan Interstar which comes with 17m3 of load space for big jobs and a powerful, efficient diesel engine designed to keep running cost down. Prices start from €40,850. 

The same offer also applies to the Interestar-e for those seeking the electric alternative. Prices start at €48,095 for the 40kWh battery which has a range of 150kms, and at €56,595 for the 87kWh battery with a range of 365kms. 

Prices for the Nissan Primastar all-rounder with two lengths and roof heights, start at €36,745. All prices are inclusive of VAT and the SEAI grant of €7,600. 

The ‘Fuel Up or Tool Up’ offer is also available on new Qashqai mild hybrid and ePOWER vans, and on the X-Trail ePOWER van. The offer also extends to the fully electric Ariya 63kWh Engage van and Ariya 87kWh Advance van.

 

Nissan Ariya Nismo review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

Nissan started producing its Nismo high-performance cars in 1984, when it combined its two racing divisions to form Nissan Motorsports International Co Ltd (NISMO for short). A Nismo-badged car first appeared at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1986, and since then, many more have followed. 

The latest to bear the badge is the Ariya Nismo electric SUV, introduced in January 2024, with up to 430 horsepower and built on the same platform as the standard Ariya BEV compact crossover, which has been in production since January 2022. This was the carmaker's first zero-emissions SUV, also based on a dedicated EV platform. The Ariya Nismo is eye-catchingly distinctive. It is larger than the Nissan Leaf and somewhat bigger than the Qashqai. The design is more aggressive than the standard Ariya's, while retaining the grey exterior colour typical of previous Nismo models. This look is enhanced by red accents on the mirrors and side skirts, along with all the Nismo badging. Impressive 20-inch Enkei alloy wheels complement the sporty appearance. The model features a more aerodynamic profile, including a sportier front bumper and grille, LED headlamps and daytime running lights, front and rear fog lamps, LED taillights, and a power tailgate. The exterior styling includes a rear twin diffuser and a ‘ducktail’ spoiler — a small spoiler inspired by Nissan’s racing heritage that improves aerodynamics compared to the standard Ariya and increases tailgate rigidity. 

Inside, the high-quality interior features red lighting that creates a warm glow and numerous red accents. Key features include dual 12.3-inch TFT screens with colourful, though somewhat dated-looking graphics, wireless Apple CarPlay, cabled Android Auto, an Intelligent Personal Assistant, Nissan Connect Services, and a 360-degree around-view monitor with a bird’s-eye view when reversing. My test car also had a Head-Up Display; a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a BOSE sound system. 

The front seats are uniquely styled with sporty bolsters to keep you securely in place. They are upholstered in a suede-like material with red stitching, offer power adjustments —including a lumbar setting for the driver — and are heated. Nismo logos are embroidered on the headrests. The lower dash features wood trim housing dual-zone climate controls, fan, windscreen and rear-window heaters, and a prominent red power button. The parking brake is located beside the gear lever on the flat central console. Below are the drive modes: Nismo mode for enhanced performance and acceleration, Standard, Eco, Snow, and the e-Pedal button for driving mainly with the accelerator. Rear seats comfortably accommodate three adults and split 60/40. There is ample head, knee, and foot room. Boot capacity is 408 litres, less than the 466 litres offered by the standard Ariya. 

Nissan’s advanced E-4ORCE all-wheel control technology provides a balance of power and comfort, enhancing stability. It uses two electric motors to independently power each axle, improving handling and steering. The additional motor reduces rear boot space available in FWD models. The Ariya Nismo is well equipped with dual-zone auto climate control, Type A and Type C USB ports front and rear, a 12V power socket, seat back pockets, and a rear armrest. Safety features include blind-spot monitors with intervention, integrated into the ProPILOT Assist suite, which includes Intelligent Emergency Braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction assist, forward collision warning, rear emergency braking, cross-traffic alert, Traffic Jam Pilot, and parking sensors. 

With its 87kWh battery, the claimed WLTP range is 419km, though real-world figures may be lower depending on driving style and weather. Charging from 10% to 80% with a 130kW DC fast charger takes around 35-40 minutes; a full charge at home via AC can take up to 14 hours. The dual motors produce approximately 429hp (320kW) and 600 Nm of torque, enabling a 0-100km/h sprint in 5.0 seconds. 

On the road, the car delivers swift acceleration and precise cornering, with upgraded springs, dampers, and a stabiliser bar for a more dynamic suspension. The ride is quite firm, though more comfortable on motorways. This high-performance model is suitable as a practical family vehicle with an added edge when required. The Ariya Nismo does not have a separate Euro NCAP rating, but the standard Ariya on which it is based was awarded a maximum 5-star safety rating in 2022. 

Priced at €68,495. Road tax €120.

 

 

Previews of new Nissan Leaf at dealerships

A series of dealer showcase events until mid-December offers potential buyers a first look at the next-generation Nissan Leaf, two months prior to its launch in early 2026, writes Brian Byrne. Customers can view the car up close, book a test drive, and place pre-orders before it arrives in showrooms next February.

The new EV, the latest version of the world's first mass-market EV, offers a maximum range of up to 622 km, with up to 420 km after just 30 minutes of DC fast charging.

The vehicle was first publicly displayed at the recent NEVO EV Exhibition at Dublin's RDS. It has been reimagined as a crossover, with two battery options offering up to 440 or 622 km of range. It is claimed to be especially efficient at motorway speeds, which are most demanding on energy consumption.

Onboard technology includes NissanConnect with Google, enabling hands-free control of navigation, media, climate, and more.

Full details of the All-New Nissan Leaf Showcase Events are available at www.nissan.ie.

 

New Nissan Micra EV here in January 2026

Nissan’s Micra is returning to Irish roads as a compact electric vehicle (EV) with a top range of 416kms and a start price of €25,995, writes Trish Whelan. This is the sixth generation of the iconic car which first hit Irish roads over 40 years ago. 

Two battery options are a 40kWh with a range of up to 317kms, and a 54kWh battery with a 416km range. Both variants support DC fast-charging up to 80kW and 110kW respectively. 

Three grades are offered; Engage (priced from €25,995), Advance (from €27,995) and Evolve grade only available with the 52kWh battery and priced from €32,995. 

Prices include the SEAI grant of €3,500 but exclude delivery related charges. The new Micra is due here in January 2026.

New Leaf orders in autumn

Orders for Nissan's new-generation Leaf will commence in the autumn, with initial deliveries scheduled for early next year, writes Brian Byrne. The car was unveiled in June and, in its new generation, follows the Ariya in a crossover-SUV form.

There will be two battery options, offering rated ranges of up to 436km and 604km.

The new Leaf provides a fully connected mobility experience with Google integrated, dual 14.3” screens, and advanced driver assistance technologies.

The car will be manufactured in Sunderland, UK.

Since its debut in 2010, the Nissan Leaf has sold nearly 700,000 units worldwide. It was the world’s first mass-market electric vehicle. 

Nissan 252 offer €4,000 two ways to customers

Nissan is offering new car buyers two ways to put €4,000 towards their new car, writes Brian Byrne. The deal allows customers to choose between a €4,000 finance contribution or a €4,000 trade-in booster across the brand's full range.

PCP and HP finance is available through AIB at 5.9 per cent across the Nissan passenger range up to a maximum of €50,000 and can be combined with one of the ‘€4k Your Way’ offers.

More details about the offer and terms are at local Nissan dealer websites or www.nissan.ie.

Nissan is also offering a €500 cashback offer on its LCV range. 

New generation Micra revealed

The sixth generation of Nissan's Micra will go on sale in first markets before the end of this year, writes Brian Byrne. The car was unveiled in a global digital event.

This time it become an electric-only car in a programme that will see four EVs from the brand by 2027 — the Micra, new Leaf, new Juke and city car as yet unnamed. A range of up to 408 km is claimed from the larger of two batteries which will be available.

Though less than four metres in length, a long wheelbase for the class offers more interior space than its predecessor. There will only be a 5-door. 

Review: Nissan Qashqai - Trish Whelan, Irish Car

Nissan revealed its face-lifted Qashqai compact crossover SUV to Ireland in late October 2024 refreshed both inside and out. Qashqai has always been very popular with Irish families for its compact size and practicality. The model has been produced by the Japanese car manufacturer since 2006 with the second generation in 2014 while the third and latest generation was launched in 2021. Qashqai is positioned between the Juke and X-Trail SUV in Nissan’s crossover SUV line-up. This version keeps the same dimensions as its predecessor - an overall length of 4,425mm, wheelbase of 2,665mm which allows for good interior space front and back and boot capacity of 504 litres that can be expanded to 1,447 litres. 

The sharp new design is quite eye-catching, especially in the mid grey exterior colour of my review car. The restyle includes a new brand identity of logos and font, a reshaped front grille and LED-enhanced front and rear lamps, a new rear bumper and new alloy wheel designs - in this case very smart looking 19-inch diamond cut alloy wheels. 

The well-finished interior gets new seat designs and some nice new materials including soft-touch Alcantara upholstery across dash and doors. However, for me the interior needs a bit more relief from the black headliner and the dark PVC and burnt-umber inserts around the cabin. The huge sunroof stretches back to over the heads of the rear passengers and allows those in the rear to see the stars on a clear night. It can also tilt open. 

Seats proved extremely comfy; the driver’s has 8-way power adjustments with lumbar support and two seat memory settings; the passenger’s seat just has manual adjustments. Front seats can slide, recline and tilt. The main feature is the long 12.3-inch central touchscreen. The infotainment system has Google built-in services. However, you have to go through a few sub menus to access some settings - swiping across for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Google Assistant, and Nissan Connect Services. Alternatively, you can just use voice command saying ‘Hey Google’ to get the feature you want without fuss! There are knobs for volume control, air conditioning and for climate controls. The traditional large instrument cluster with two ‘busy’ dials shows all relevant information, but the big Head Up Display on the windscreen shows your current speed very clearly so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road. 

 

There’s a wireless phone charger on the dash and two small C-type USBs with two more in the back. Rear doors open wide to allow using child seats with ease. Adults here enjoy quite good head and legroom, the former despite the slope of the roof and the end of the sunroof. The middle seat back lowers as an armrest with a pair of cupholders inserted. The tailgate is power-operated and the boot has a variable floor to allow you maximise load space and full marks to Nissan for the temporary spare below the floor. 

Grades are SV, SV Premium, SV Tech (my review car), and SVE. Features on my car included Hill Start Assist and Auto Hold, Intelligent Front Emergency Braking with pedestrians, cyclist and junction assist, Forward Collision Warning, a dusk sensor, good blind spot monitors on side mirrors, rear parking sensors, and an excellent 3D Around View Monitor giving a 360deg view all around your car - you can split the screen for close ups of the front, rear and kerbside views when parking. Options were a Cold Pack at €600 of heated seats/windshield/steering wheel, a BOSE Premium sound system at €850, metallic paint €700 or two-tone paint at €1,000. Driving modes are Sport, Standard and Eco. 

The range includes this 1.3 138hp four-cylinder Mild Hybrid petrol version matched to a user-friendly 6-speed manual transmission, and a CVT automatic version which is €3,500 more expensive to buy. An e-Power variant uses a petrol engine to charge the battery that powers the electric motor to drive the wheels. It was easy to get a good driving position and I enjoyed driving the car on all types of roads, appreciating the quietness of the powertrain and the comfort onboard. While the claimed fuel consumption is circa 6.1 L/100kms, my average fuel consumption varied from 6.5 to 7.5 L/100kms depending on routes travelled, still good for such a small-engined motor. The car can go from 0-100km/h in 9.5 seconds. Annual road tax is €270. 

This third generation of the model was awarded a maximum five stars for safety by Euro NCAP when launched in 2021. Qashqai is named after the Qashqai people, a Turkic people who live in mountainous Central and Southwestern Iran. This car is priced from €46,300, the CVT automatic version is from €49,800. Prices exclude dealer delivery related charges.