Nissan Qashqai Blue

The mild hybrid 1.3-litre petrol engine is available in 138 horsepower and 158 horsepower versions, the former exclusively with the standard manual gearbox and front-wheel drive configuration. You get more options with the more powerful engine, the most obvious being the choice of an xTronic branded automatic in front- or all-wheel drive forms. As before the automatic gearbox is a ‘CVT’, which can traditionally feel a bit vague compared with more conventional automatic or dual-clutch types. Nissan has worked on this and this new one is smooth and avoids the annoying ‘slipping clutch’ sensation you get with some of this type. Opting for this gearbox also expands the scope of the mild hybrid’s start-stop, with the ability to coast to a halt with the engine off from speeds of 11mph down. Nissan predicts manuals will still be the most popular choice among Qashqai buyers but the xTronic version is worth considering for its ease of driving and integration with assistance systems. It does add quite a bit to the price, though.