The Nissan Qashqai first burst onto the UK scene in 2007 after making its global debut at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. Originally designed to replace the Nissan Mistral, the Nissan Qashqai has grown to become one of the UK’s most popular compact crossovers, with more than 39,000 sales in the UK in 2010.

Ten years ago Nissan replaced its Almera hatch with the Qashqai - a gamble that transformed its fortunes and changed the face of the car industry.

The Nissan Qashqai (pronounced “Cash-Kai”) is named after the Qashqai tribe in Southwestern Iran but in Japan and Australia, the Qashqai is actually called the Nissan Dualis. This was chosen out of fear that Australians might call it the "cash cow".

Every minute the production line is functioning, a Nissan Qashqai is created. It takes nearly 8 hours to produce just one car and 390 machines to weld 4608 pieces together.

Since its launch in 2007, the Nissan Qashqai has become famous for its funky 4×4 styling, impressive comfort levels and generous specification.  The Qashqai was designed to cater for buyers who wanted a more dynamic design, without the large, aggressive nature of a traditional SUV.

It is possible to drive the Qashqai from Land's End to John O’Groats, which is a vast 839 miles, on one tank of fuel. It has been tried and tested in a 1.5dCi Nissan Qashqai.

The new Pure Drive variant has made the Nissan Qashqai one of the most environmentally efficient cars in the Nissan line-up. A weight reduction, the adoption of aerodynamic wheel covers, the fitment of low rolling resistance tyres and the lengthening of the final drive ratio all work to maximise the Qashqai Pure Drive’s efficiency, with CO2 emissions set at an impressive 130 g/km and a combined fuel consumption of 57.6mpg.

In June 2011, staff at Nissan Sunderland Plant celebrated the production of the one millionth Nissan Qashqai which was driven off the production line four years, six months and 23 days after production first began on December 5, 2006.

By December 2007, Nissan had sold approximately 100,000 Nissan Qashqais in Europe, including 17,554 in the United Kingdom, 15,376 in Russia, and 10,746 in Italy. Since its facelift in 2010, the Qashqai has sold over 200,000 annual units in Europe every year.

We reckon the entry-level 138bhp 1.3-litre petrol (badged DiG-T 140)engine is the best choice for most buyers. Outright acceleration is brisk enough, but it is this engine’s flexibility – the ease with which you can build speed from low revs in any given gear – that really impresses. 

One of the best-loved, most admired and most sought-after versions is the Renault Clio Williams, built to celebrate Renault’s Formula One World Championship wins with the Williams team.

In 2009, a sportier GT model was introduced to create a stepping stone between the regular models and the hot Renault Sport versions.

When leasing a Nissan Qashqai, you’ll benefit from respectable fuel efficiency. Particularly if you go for the 1.5-litre diesel, which scored 51.9mpg on the What Car? website’s True MPG tests. The 1.3-litre petrol engine, our favourite in terms of performance and value, scored 41.3mpg.

Arrange a Nissan Qashqai leasing deal with Smart Lease and take your pick from a range of body styles, engine sizes and trim levels to suit your lifestyle. Whatever you want to use your Qashqai for, we'll find a deal to suit you.