Nissan Qashqai 2018 review
Overview
The second-generation Nissan Qashqai (J11) is the car that invented the family crossover as Britain knows it, and the facelifted 2018 model remains the used-buyer sweet spot. Sunderland-built from the start, the 2018 Qashqai came with sharper styling, a retuned chassis and a broader spread of trims from Visia through Acenta and N-Connecta to Tekna and Tekna+. The engine to hunt for is the 1.2 DIG-T turbo petrol with 115bhp: brisk enough for town and motorway work, returning an official 50.4mpg with 129g/km of CO2, and every 2018 engine meets Euro 6, so the car sails through the London ULEZ and every other UK clean-air zone free of charge.
N-Connecta is the trim to buy used. It adds the NissanConnect sat-nav with a 360-degree Around View camera system, DAB radio, 18-inch bi-colour alloys and lane-departure warning, without the 19-inch wheels that make the ride brittle on Tekna cars. The 430-litre boot is merely average for the class - Tekna+ cars with the BOSE subwoofer lose 30 litres - but the rear cabin is roomy, visibility from the high seat is good, and refinement on the motorway is a genuine strength of this generation.
Diesel fans are served by the 1.5 dCi, uprated to 115bhp from July 2018 with 285Nm of torque, which officially stretches to around 74mpg on the old NEDC cycle and suits high-mileage drivers. The 2018 facelift also brought Nissan's Safety Shield features - forward emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition and lane-departure warning - across most of the range, backed by a five-star Euro NCAP rating from the 2014 test. Insurance sits in groups 14E to 17E depending on trim and engine, keeping premiums sensible for family buyers.
As a 2026 used buy, the 2018 Qashqai is a value hero: N-Connecta cars typically change hands for £6,400 to £11,000 depending on mileage and history, roughly half of what an equivalent new crossover costs. Budget for a used-car warranty, because owner reports flag sat-nav glitches, air-con re-gassing and the occasional alternator failure, and a full service history matters on the 1.2 DIG-T. With huge UK parts availability and strong dealer support from its Sunderland roots, the J11 remains one of the safest used-crossover bets in Britain.
UK price from: £19,295
Specifications
| Trim levels | Visia, Acenta, Acenta Premium, N-Connecta, Tekna, Tekna+ |
| Engine | 1.2 DIG-T turbo petrol (1,197cc, 115PS); also 1.5 dCi 115 diesel |
| Power / torque | 115bhp @ 4,500rpm; 190Nm @ 2,000rpm |
| 0-62 mph | 10.6 seconds |
| Top speed | 115 mph |
| Fuel economy | 50.4 mpg combined (NEDC) |
| CO2 emissions | 129 g/km |
| Boot space | 430 litres (1,598 litres seats folded) |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual (Xtronic CVT auto optional) |
| Euro NCAP | 5 stars (tested 2014) |
| Insurance group | 14E-17E depending on trim and engine |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60,000 miles (new); corrosion cover 12 years |
Features
- Around View Monitor 360-degree parking cameras (N-Connecta and above)
- Nissan Safety Shield: forward emergency braking, lane-departure warning and traffic-sign recognition
- NissanConnect sat-nav with DAB and 7-inch touchscreen (Acenta Premium and above)
- Panoramic glass roof (Acenta Premium and above)
- i-Key keyless entry with push-button start
- Dual-zone automatic climate control (Acenta and above)
- Bi-LED headlamps and 19-inch alloys (Tekna and above)
- BOSE premium audio with subwoofer (Tekna+)
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake pad set | £39.99 | Pattern brands such as TRW, Valeo or Bosch; catalogue price range £10-£40 |
| EBC front brake pads | £88.99 | Premium brand, catalogue price |
| LUK clutch kit | £364.99 | Catalogue price; manual models |
| Timing chain kit | £173.99 | Catalogue price; the 1.2 DIG-T and 1.5 dCi use a chain |
| Alternator (reconditioned) | £234.99 | Catalogue price; plus £35.94 surcharge |
| Front brake discs (pair) | £60 | Typical UK retail estimate |
Pros
- Quiet, comfortable ride with refined motorway manners - a true family-friendly cruiser
- Huge used-market choice and strong value: N-Connecta from around £6,400
- Five-star Euro NCAP with generous standard safety kit even on lower trims
- Strong diesel economy (up to around 74mpg NEDC) for high-mileage drivers
- Sunderland-built, so UK parts supply and dealer support are excellent
Cons
- Owner-reported faults: sat-nav glitches, air-con re-gassing and occasional alternator failures
- Infotainment feels dated next to newer rivals
- Rear visibility is restricted without the parking cameras
- 430-litre boot trails class leaders and the handling is dull
