Nissan Qashqai+2 1.5dCi review

Nissan decided to adopt a pretty radical approach when it replaced the old Almera with a funky, small SUV. And as if that wasn’t unconventional enough, it decided to name it the Qashqai too.

But while the Qashqai makes a great small family car, if your kids want to bring their mates home after school, space is at a premium. So that’s why Nissan launched the Qashqai+2, which is 210mm longer, 40mm taller, and has a 135mm longer wheelbase than the normal car.

Crucially, that means that an extra pair of seats have been squeezed into the boot floor, which car be put up and kids installed within 90 seconds. I know, because I tried it. They’re almost big enough for adults too.

The rear doors are also bigger, which helps access to both rows of rear seats. The middle row also splits, folds and slides, which allows you to tweak the interior space depending on whether you’ve got more people or more stuff on board.

The Qashqai+2’s interior is its big selling point. There’s loads of storage space, including a cavernous glovebox, a deep, Haribo-friendly centre console bin which incorporates the auxiliary MP3 socket, and a useful under-floor storage area in the boot. Rear passengers will also appreciate the panoramic roof, which illuminates the interior and gives bored kids something else to look at.

But while the interior is brilliant, after just a short time behind the wheel I know I’d opt for the 2.0-litre diesel engine, instead of the 103hp 1.5-litre lump in my car. The 1.5-litre unit is refined enough, but it’s just too small to haul 1,604kg of Qashqai, and it really begins to struggle when there are more than two passengers on board.

The 1.5 boasts good on-paper economy figures – offering combined mpg of 49.6mpg – but I averaged 39.4mpg in mixed driving, and would bet that the 2.0-litre’s extra 60Nm of torque would give better real-world figures. Stick with two-wheel drive too, the four-wheel drive system is adds another 100kg, costs you 1.8mpg and is slower too.

On the road, the steering is mega-light and visibility is excellent, making the Qashqai super-easy to drive. It rides comfortably too, and when you add in how accomplished it is at getting your kids, their mates and assorted paraphernalia from A to B, the unconventional Qashqai+2 makes a lot of sense.