Note: This article was written as part of a commercial content partnership between CompleteCar.ie and Nissan.
In this feature, we're looking at the Nissan Qashqai. More importantly, looking at how suitable and practical it is for family life.
The Qashqai is, of course, designed for family life; that's its whole point. We've brought together the two different versions of the Qashqai - a mild-hybrid and an e-Power hybrid, but before we get into what makes them different, let's look at what makes them the same in terms of practicality.
Check out the back doors - they open to almost 90 degrees, making it much easier to get in and out, or to load bulky child car seats in.
Legroom is welcomed by tall passengers, but it's also useful when you're trying to get big rear-facing child car seats to fit.
A big boot is an absolute requirement for a family car, and the Qashqai's holds 504 litres of luggage space up to the cargo cover - or a week's worth of luggage for a family of four. If you fold the back seats, there's 1,447 litres, in case you need to ever carry a flatscreen tv. Still in its bulky box.
It's not just about raw space, though. Check out the adjustable boot floor. It comes in two parts, which not only lift up so you can access extra space beneath, but you can also insert them vertically, which divides up the boot, so you can keep your shopping away from muddy sports kit.
But the Qashqai isn't just about the practicality of its back seats and boot. Its updated infotainment system can be upgraded with a handy surround-view camera setup for parking, for example, and it even automatically shows you a close-up view of the kerbside wheels.
The Qashqai also has an 'Invisible Bonnet' view, which allows you to see what's normally hidden, right in front of you, when you're manoeuvring at low speeds.
All of that keeps you and others safe at low speeds, while at higher speeds, the Qashqai uses Nissan's ProPilot system which has adaptive cruise control to keep you a safe distance from the car in front, and active steering to keep you in your lane.
The Qashqai's head-up display comes as standard on SV Tech models, which means you can keep your eyes on the road and still keep an eye on your speed and your sat-nav directions.
There's also the option of a powerful Bose stereo for those that really want to enjoy their music.
It's not just about technology, though. The Qashqai also comes with some helpful touches, such as a cap-less fuel filler flap, meaning no more fiddling at filling stations.
This is a good time to explain the engine options, starting with the Mild Hybrid model. It uses a turbocharged 1.3-litre petrol engine, with mild-hybrid technology to maximise fuel economy around town and add a little extra power when you need it. You can have this engine with either a six-speed manual gearbox, or a CVT automatic.
This Qashqai e-Power is a hybrid with a difference. It's always driven by an electric motor, and the 1.5-litre petrol engine is only on board to keep the compact battery topped up as you drive. So it's a bit like driving an electric car, but without the hassle of having to plug it in to recharge. You don't have to worry about recharging or range. Just top up the fuel tank, and off you go. It means you get low emissions and low fuel consumption, combined with the smooth, strong acceleration of an electric motor.
All that's left to do is decide which Qashqai suits the needs of your family best.
