The 2020 Nissan Qashqai is a prime example of why big redesigns are not always the answer. While the Qashqai has received minor updates to keep it up to date over the years, it still adheres to the same basic principles and the same formula as the original. There’s a reason why it’s one of Britain’s best-selling cars, and now in the North American market is starting to make a push for the top. The small changes here and there do add up and make for something new and fresh year in and year out.
REFINED EXTERIOR
The front end of the 2020 Nissan Qashqai is just slightly sleeker than before and overall still delivers the same look. The first generation Qashqai proved to be really popular, so changing the styling altogether would have been disastrous for Nissan. So, they did the sensible thing of course and updated the exterior just enough to make the second-gen car modern yet distinguishable from the first, but not enough to completely severe ties with its history. If you look at a second gen 2020 Nissan Qashqai parked next to a first gen version, you’d immediately see that it’s from the same bloodline.
The facelifted second-gen 2020 Qashqai proved to be the cherry on top of the cake. Nissan tweaked the front and the rear fascia, making the 2020 Nissan Qashqai more aggressive and giving it a lot more presence. The LED daytime running lights are now more emphasized in a thin, angular strip and the grille has that traditional V shape brings it in line with the overarching corporate design.
The 2020 Nissan Qashqai isn’t a large SUV, but it does have great proportions and plays the part of compact crossover SUV perfectly. The side view of the Qashqai with the fan-style rims makes the wheels seem huge and helps bring the proportions together in an eye-pleasing design. The 2020 Qashqai improves on the exterior look over the previous gen models, with a sleeker bumper and more distinct taillights which have been pushed out and wrap around into the side panels.
PLEASANT INTERIOR
The interior of the 2020 Nissan Qashqai is more spacious than I would have thought when looking at the vehicle from the outside. The premium fit and finish and top-notch materials are great to see and feel and elevate the interior design. Although Nissan never had any issues with build quality, it’s nice to see that even the smaller vehicles in their lineup are not overlooked.
The sleek two-tone leather interior is bright and modern. The functional dash has a flush-mounted touch screen and traditional yet refined stylings. The steering wheel is slim and sporty with a flat bottom and plenty of controls mounted for easy access. While the touch screen helps reduce the number of controls on the dash, I still found there to be a bit of button clutter when taking a step back to look at it all. A nice touch is the padding on the side of the center console since drivers will usually rest their knees in that location.
Despite the Qashqai being a compact SUV, there’s plenty of room in both rows, along with plenty of headroom to allow people taller than 6ft to sit comfortably upright in the back. When you take into account the split folding rear seats you have a very versatile interior that can accommodate a number of different passenger and cargo configurations.
ENGINE AND DRIVE
Nissan has simplified the offering by equipping just one optimized engine for the 2020 Qashqai. A 2.0L four cylinder engine powers the Qashqai, churning out 141hp through a front wheel drive or optional all wheel drive. The base model S comes with a six speed manual transmission with the option to upgrade to the continuously variable transmission found on the rest of the line up.
Driving a lower powered CVT has pros and cons and for those more attuned to the driving experience, it may take a bit of time to master the finer techniques of acceleration. However, the majority of drivers will appreciate that the Qashqai CVT delivers great fuel economy and amazing smoothness throughout the acceleration spectrum, but it lacks on the acceleration at higher speeds or with a fuller load. This trade off is fine since the majority of driving isn’t done at high speeds and full loads and those looking for a performance-oriented drive are probably not looking at an SUV.
Overall, the ride is quiet, smooth and generally doesn’t feel underpowered despite the low power stats for the engine. The easy maneuverability from its compact size, precise handling, responsive feedback and zippy accelerations at lower speeds all come together to create a pleasant and straightforward drivability.
The 2020 Nissan Qashqai also benefits from Nissan’s line of safety features dubbed the Nissan Safety Shield 360 which is included as standard on all models. The safety tech suite includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist and rear automatic braking.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The 2020 Nissan Qashqai is still king when it comes to compact crossover SUVs. Gorgeous styling, top-notch fit and finish and zippy power mixed with incredibly fuel efficiency all come together in a well-rounded and functional package. The 2020 Qashqai truly delivers the ideal combination of versatility, performance and quality for those in search of a compact crossover SUV.
