Click here to read the full road test and for trim and specification details: https://goo.gl/VPtsJz

It’s a decade since Nissan took a huge gamble and pioneered a new car sector, the crossover SUV with the launch of the Qashqai.

Like the Qashqai, the sector has moved a long way in a short period of time as there are now 21 direct rivals for Nissan’s compact crossover.

Nissan’s gamble was to replace two traditional cars with one not so traditional vehicle. At the time, the new Qashqai replaced the Primera and Almera (although the Almera has since been resurrected as the Pulsar). A gamble that has been rewarded by the Qashqai selling more year on year since its launch and in 2016 it was the fifth best-selling car in the UK.

Over time, the Qashqai has turned from an ugly duckling into an elegant and classy five-door compact-SUV. Well, it was more hippo than duckling. It is now being pushed into a more premium sector.

This new model is the midlife facelift of the second-generation that was launched in 2014, however, it’s more than your usual facelift, in fact, it’s more of a second-generation 2.0.

There’s a familiar but new look to the front end, more technology, higher quality finish inside, improved performance and Nissan claims it’s more intuitive to use.

Click here to read the full road test and for trim and specification details: https://goo.gl/VPtsJz

The range kicks off at £19,245, however, we’re testing the 1.6-litre DIG-T 163 petrol with a manual gearbox in range-topping Tekna + trim which costs £29,250.

Our model is finished in the optional Vivid Blue premium metallic paint costing £745.