Nissan Qashqai 2021 review
Overview
The third-generation Qashqai arrived in UK showrooms in summer 2021, priced from £23,535, and it had a simple job: protect the crown of Britain's favourite crossover. Designed, engineered and built in Sunderland, the J12 brought a bolder look, a much classier cabin and a hybrid-only petrol range — every 2021 Qashqai is electrified to some degree. Trim levels run Visia, Acenta Premium, N-Connecta, Tekna and Tekna+, with the 1.3 DiG-T 158 mild hybrid the volume engine.
The DiG-T pairs a 1.3-litre turbo petrol with a 12V mild-hybrid system to deliver 158bhp, 260Nm and up to 44.1mpg officially, with a 0–62mph sprint of 9.5 seconds on the manual. Every engine is Euro 6d petrol, so ULEZ compliance is a given, and a 5-star Euro NCAP result with 95% in the Safety Assist category made it one of the safest small family cars of its time. The e-Power full hybrid joined in September 2022 with 190PS — worth knowing, but it was not part of the 2021 line-up.
Standard kit is genuinely strong: adaptive cruise, lane-keeping, blind-spot monitoring and LED headlights come even on base Visia, while N-Connecta — the used sweet spot — adds 18-inch alloys, a 12.3-inch digital cluster, a 9-inch touchscreen and 360-degree cameras. Boot space grew to 479 litres and the cabin feels a class above the old car's.
On the used market the Qashqai is everywhere, which means wide choice and competitive pricing. Check the service book thoroughly — owner surveys flag the odd gearbox fault and Nissan's brand-level reliability record is middling — and avoid the manual's occasionally clumsy shift feel by considering the smooth Xtronic CVT. There is no diesel, so high-mileage towers should look elsewhere, but for family duties the 2021 Qashqai is one of the most rounded crossovers of its era.
UK price from: £23,535
Specifications
| Engine | 1.3L 4-cylinder turbo petrol + 12V mild hybrid |
| Power | 158 bhp (160 PS) |
| Torque | 260 Nm (manual) |
| 0-62 mph | 9.5 seconds (manual) |
| Top speed | 128 mph |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual (Xtronic CVT optional) |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive (AWD also offered) |
| Fuel economy | 44.1 mpg combined (WLTP) |
| CO2 emissions | 145 g/km |
| Boot space | 479 litres |
| Insurance group | Group 15E-23E (trim dependent) |
| Euro NCAP | 5-star (tested 2021) |
Features
- Nissan Safety Shield as standard across the range: adaptive cruise, lane-keeping, blind-spot monitor
- LED headlights from base Visia; 8-inch touchscreen and reversing camera from Acenta Premium
- N-Connecta adds 18-inch alloys, 12.3-inch digital cluster, 9-inch touchscreen and 360-degree cameras
- Tekna adds 19-inch alloys, power tailgate, heated seats, heated steering wheel and glass roof
- Tekna+ adds leather, Bose sound system and front-seat massage function
- ProPILOT semi-autonomous driving pack available on Tekna
- 479-litre boot with luggage board system and 60/40 split rear seats
- 5-star Euro NCAP (91% adult, 91% child, 95% safety assist)
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake pads (set) | £29.99 | Typical UK pattern-part price |
| Oil filter | £10.99 | Typical UK pattern-part price |
| Cabin pollen filter | £11.99 | Typical UK pattern-part price |
| Front wiper blades (pair) | £19.99 | Typical UK pattern-part price |
| 12V battery | £89.99 | Typical UK pattern-part price |
| Engine air filter | £14.99 | Typical UK pattern-part price |
Pros
- Designed, engineered and built in Britain — Sunderland-made
- Full safety tech as standard with class-leading 95% Safety Assist NCAP score
- Roomy: 479-litre boot and noticeably more interior space than the old model
- Upmarket interior and infotainment vs the previous generation
- Strong used-market liquidity: huge choice and competitive used prices
Cons
- No diesel — a deal-breaker for high-mileage fleet and towing buyers
- Ride can be firm, especially on the optional 20-inch wheels
- Manual gearbox criticised for poor shift feel; Xtronic CVT is smoother
- Nissan's reliability record is middling — check service history on used cars
