Used Nissan Qashqai+2 2008 - 2013 review
The Nissan Qashqai was a game-changer for the entire car industry, but while the +2 version is more practical, it’s no substitute for an MPV.
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What's the used Nissan Qashqai+2 like?
Ownership cost
Our recommendations
Alternatives
Reliability
Stuart Milne
Updated: 9 June 2016
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What's the used Nissan Qashqai+2 like?
It would be hard to find someone at this stage that has not owned, driven or ridden in a Nissan Qashqai, so enormously popular has the Sunderland-built SUV been.
With the Nissan Qashqai+2, the car was stretched to offer more interior space and two extra seats that could be folded flat into the boot floor when they weren’t needed.
Overview
The Nissan Qashqai was a game-changer for the entire car industry, but while the +2 version is more practical, it’s no substitute for an MPV.
Pros
- Spacious
- Good looking
- Enjoyable to drive
Cons
- Interior feels a bit cheap
- Third row seats very tight on space
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Nissan Qashqai+2
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1.5 dCi Acenta 2WD Euro 5 5dr
£1,840
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In practice, it’s very similar to its five-seat stablemate. The extra weight makes little difference to the handling or performance, although the extra length between the front and rear wheels does improve the ride quality marginally.
Overall, the Qashqai+2 is a good car to drive, with a precise feel to the steering and agile responses.
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Keep the third row seats folded and the boot is slightly bigger than in the standard Nissan Qashqai, which is itself far from small, but the seats themselves are cramped, and they’re hard to get to because there’s only a small gap to clamber through.
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Tips & Advice
How to test drive a car
There’s no substitute for a test drive in a new car. Take it on a variety of roads and surfaces to ensure it measures up.
Will the car fit your needs?
As part of the test drive, fill the car with regularly-carried luggage, and make sure the family can get comfy before you buy
Ownership cost
What used Nissan Qashqai+2 will I get for my budget?
With the huge demand for new Qashqais, it should come as no surprise that used versions are still highly sought after, and this is keeping values high. The cheapest Qashqai+2 you are likely to find will still set you back more than £4000, and prices of more than £5000 are not uncommon.
The Qashqai was facelifted in 2010, gaining narrower, more angled headlamps and a more inset front grille, and diesel examples of these cars still nudge £10,000 if they are in exceptional condition and come with a full Nissan service history. Petrols are cheaper, but could be harder to sell on later.
How much does cost to run a Nissan Qashqai+2?
The Qashqai+2 is a very frugal car when fitted with Nissan’s 1.5 dCi diesel engine; you can expect to average better than 45mpg in daily driving.
Services are required annually or every 12,000 miles, but the Qashqai+2 can be very hard on its tyres, especially on the optional 18in alloy wheels. Another bugbear is that it’s almost impossible to replace a blown bulb at home, so it usually requires a visit to the dealership, costing time and money.
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Tips & Advice
Organise your motoring life
Whether you need to keep tabs on your insurance renewal, sort breakdown cover, or book a service, My What Car? has you covered
Never miss a motoring date
Remembering to arrange insurance, book a service or buy breakdown cover can be a pain. Fortunately, My What Car? is here to help
Can I buy a car with cash?
Paying cash isn’t always an easy way to a new car – and you may not be able to get the big discounts you might expect
Protect your investment
GAP insurance allows you to get the full price for your car if it’s stolen or written off, but only a quarter of Brits buy it
Reduce your car finance bills
Refinancing your car effectively means taking out one loan to pay off another, which could help reduce your monthly payments, or reduce your finance term
What is hire purchase?
Hire purchase allows you to make monthly payments to buy your next car – although these will be higher than with a PCP
What is PCP finance?
Low monthly payments are key to the appeal of Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) agreements. But are there downsides?
Our recommendations
Which used Nissan Qashqai+2 should I buy?
You can choose from 1.5-, 1.6- and 2.0-litre diesel engines or 1.6- and 2.0-litre petrols. Of these the 1.6 petrol is probably best avoided; although it’s reasonably powerful, it leaves the Qashqai+2 feeling a bit underpowered and becomes thirsty.
It’s a similar story with the 2.0-litre petrol, although it does cope with the weight better than the 1.6.
The 1.5 diesel is the most popular Qashqai engine, and with good reason. It has decent refinement, good economy and emissions, and sufficient performance. It’s been used across a broad swathe of Renault and Nissan products and has proved largely reliable, too.
All models came well equipped and the Qashqai+2 was one of the first cars to feature a standard Bluetooth phone connection.
Tips & Advice
Avoid ULEZ and clean-air zone fines
If you regularly drive into a clean air zone, you’ll want to ensure your next car is compliant to avoid costly fines
Alternatives
What alternatives should I consider to a used Nissan Qashqai+2?
Because the Qashqai was essentially the first of its breed, it always had a limited number of direct rivals, and that goes double for the Qashqai+2 because no other compact SUV of the time had seven seats.
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You could go for a Mitsubishi Outlander (or the all-but-identical Peugeot 4007 or Citroen C-Crosser) which has the SUV styling and seven seats, but it's bigger, heavier and less engaging to drive than a Qashqai.
Mid-size MPVs such as the VW Touran, Renault Grand Scenic or Citroen Grand C4 Picasso are far more practical, but lack the sharper styling of the Qashqai – and its pseudo-4x4 appeal.
Perhaps the closest rivals is the Hyundai Santa Fe. The second-generation model, launched in 2006, is handsome, reliable, good to drive and has the necessary seven seats, although it’s bigger and thirstier, so will cost more to run than a Nissan Qashqai.
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How reliable is the Nissan Qashqai+2 ?
Nissan Qashqai+2
Read reliability
Used cars available now
In partnership with
Nissan Qashqai+2
1.6 Visia 2WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£399
Nissan Qashqai+2
1.6 360 2WD Euro 5 5dr
£950
Nissan Qashqai+2
1.6 Visia 2WD 5dr
£1,490
Nissan Qashqai+2
1.6 Visia 2WD 5dr
£1,495
Nissan Qashqai+2
1.6 Visia 2WD 5dr
£1,495
Nissan Qashqai+2
1.6 Acenta 2WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£1,495
Nissan Qashqai+2
1.5 dCi Acenta 2WD Euro 5 5dr
£1,840
Nissan Qashqai+2
2.0 Acenta 2WD 5dr
£1,850
Nissan Qashqai+2
1.5 dCi 360 2WD Euro 5 5dr
£1,947
See all available cars
About the writer
Name: Stuart Milne
Title: Digital editor
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Stuart has been a motoring journalist for more than 25 years, writing and editing for a wide range of consumer titles. Today, Stuart is responsible for the smooth running of whatcar.com and all of its related social and digital channels. And he’s the man responsible for making sure you're able to find What Car?’s industry-leading content whenever you search for it.