THE Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) market is hot right now as buyers want to downsize from larger Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) yet not lose the features associated with the latter. That’s where the 2015 Nissan Qashqai comes in, now in its second generation, it rides that sweet spot between a full-size off-roader and urban warrior.

The original was a big seller for Nissan and the 2015 model looks to do the same by embracing its car-based platform, throwing off the old stodgy box-shape for more a stylish exterior with swooping aggressive lines that hint at a sporty nature aided by touches like a rear-spoiler and a tyre package more apt to a high-performance street car rather than something to build to tackle rough terrain.

The interior follows the exterior suit. The Qashqai is just a nice to sit in, as it is to look at. Soft leather seats offer sporty support for when the corners get twisty. Many will be won over the interior signature feature, the panoramic glass roof, which gives the driver a sense of greater space in an already generous interior. Like any vehicle in this class, there are a multitude of storage areas for all the gear it’s expected to haul.

The well laid out modern dash gives plenty data feedback while allowing control of all major functions, such as the six-speaker audio system with Bluetooth integration, through steering wheel mounted buttons.

On the road the Qashqai refined manners are clear. As with most CUVs, it can handle most basic off-road tasks to which the Hill Start Assist makes concessions for. However, Nissan knows the majority of the vehicle’s time will be spent running urban mundane thus a host of technology to keep drivers safe and comfortable like the Active Ride Control and Active Engine Brake. Features such as Electronic steering and Nissan’s Pure Drive CVT fades the act of operating the Qashqai in the background allowing occupants to focus on the important.