NISSANQashqai 2007 - 2010

　　After joining forces with the French carmaker Renault in 1999, which led to the Renault-Nissan Alliance in 2002, the Japanese automaker revamped its lineup, and that included the Qashqai crossover.

　　Nissan was already an established name among off-road enthusiasts. Vehicles such as Patrol or Pathfinder were already respected on the market. But the automaker didn't have anything to suit the new wave of light 4x4 vehicles, which started to get more traction among customers. Mixing its off-road experience with the French strategy of creating top-selling vehicles resulted, among others, in the Qashqai. This SUV was introduced on the market in 2006 and was a hit until the world financial crisis that debuted, in Europe, in 2008.

　　With its rounded shapes, the Qashqai didn't look as menacing as its big brother Patrol. Its unusual-looking headlights that flanked a hatchback-like grille were appealing to many customers. An ascending beltline started from the front fenders and ended up with an up-kick on the third side window, behind the rear doors. At the back, the taillights were spread from the quarter panels to the tailgate. That allowed the automaker to create a wide trunk opening.

　　Inside, apart from the high-mounted seats, the Qashqai revealed a car-like interior. Its instrument cluster was formed by two dials for the speedometer and tachometer and a round LCD mounted between them. At the front, the bucket seats were separated by a lower center console that was an extension of the center stack where the audio and HVAC system were placed. At the back, the car offered enough room for three adults with a low transmission tunnel.

　　Under the hood, the Qashqai received engines from Nissan and Renault, and it was available with a front- or an all-wheel drive system. Depending on the engine, a five- or six-speed manual was standard, while a six-speed automatic was available.

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