You really can’t go wrong with any of the top three cars in this weight class, this, the Nissan Qashqai, the Volkswagen Passat Estate and the Seat Leon X-Perience. It’s a sign of how close it is at the top that last year’s overall champion is third in class in 2015.

Everything we loved about the Qashqai last year still applies. Stability at speed is excellent. Only when caught by a gust of wind did we have to make slight steering corrections towing at the legal limit or beyond.
Considering the Qashqai gives away a little power compared with some of the cars in this class, it performed superbly in the hill-start test. The electronic parking brake held the car and caravan still on the 1-in-6 slope, and just a little clutch slip was needed to pull easily and confidently to the top of the hill.

The Qashqai is certainly slower than the VW Passat or Seat Leon X-Perience, but the 30-60mph time of 15.5 seconds is respectable enough. There’s certainly enough poke for comfortable towing, but the VW and Seat are better able to make the most of every overtaking opportunity.

In everyday driving, the Qashqai is a smooth and comfortable car. Perhaps the engine could be a little quieter, but otherwise the Nissan is refined at speed. The quality of the interior is a cut above most rivals’, too.

Compared with other crossovers, the Qashqai’s boot is a good size. However, it’s significantly smaller than either the Passat’s or the Leon’s. The Nissan fights back against these more practical rivals with excellent economy (64.2mpg on the combined cycle) and robust resale values.

2019
Category Winners
2019 Up to 1400kg

Škoda Octavia

Hatch 1.5 TSI 150PS SE L DSG

2019 1400-1549kg

Seat Ateca

2.0 TSI 190PS FR DSG

2019 1550-1699kg

Volkswagen Arteon

2.0 TDI 150PS Elegance DSG

2019 1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2019 1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 SDV6 HSE

2019 Best Budget 4x4

Dacia Duster

1.5 dCi Ambiance 4x4

2019 Best Plug-In Hybrid

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

P400e HSE Dynamic

2019 Best Ultralight Tow Car

Seat Arona

1.0 TSI 115 FR

2019 Fuel Economy Award

Ford Focus Estate

1.5 EcoBlue 120PS Titanium X

Previous Winners
2018
1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2017
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 Td6 HSE*

2016
1400-1549kg

Skoda Superb Hatch

2.0 TDI 150PS SE Business

2015
1400-1549kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI BMT 150PS SE Business DSG

2014
1400-1549kg

Nissan Qashqai

1.6 dCi (130PS) Stop/Start System Acenta Premium

2013
Up to 1424kg

Skoda Octavia

2.0 TDI CR 150PS Elegance

2012
1725–1899kg

Jaguar XF

2.2D Premium Luxury

2011
1425-1574kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI 170 Bluemotion Sport

2010
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery 4

3.0 TDV6 XS

2009
1900kg+

Volvo XC60

D5 SE Geartronic

2008
1575-1724kg

Ford Mondeo Estate

2.0 TDCi Titanium auto

2007
1575-1724kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI Sport 4Motion

ContinueWe use cookies to give you the best browsing experience and to provide you with relevant content and advertising.
By continuing to use our website you are accepting our use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy.