2017 Nissan Qashqai starts rolling out from Sunderland plant

The facelifted Nissan Qashqai has entered production at the brand's Sunderland plant in the UK.

The latest model gains a new range-topping trim, more aggressive front end design and, from spring 2018, new Propilot semi-autonomous technology.

When this is implemented, the Qashqai will be one of the first mainstream SUV adopters for semi-autonomous technology. It will able to steer, accelerate and brake in a single lane on the motorway.

At a later stage, the system will be updated and able to change lanes by itself. Nissan says by 2020 it will be able to navigate through junctions.

"The experience we are delivering to customers inside the cars will be calming and quieter," Nissan's vice president of product planning for Europe Ponz Pandikuthira told Autocar UK earlier this year. "It is the technology that makes the Qashqai the game-changing car."

The Qashqai has been a global sales sensation for Nissan since its launch in 2006, kick-starting a crossover boom which continues to sweep across the automotive industry.

However, in recent years the Qashqai has faced growing competition from a number of other manufacturers. Cars like the Seat Ateca, Volkswagen Tiguan and Kia Sportage are providing tough rivalry, so this facelift is Nissan’s chance to reassert its dominance in the segment.

Upgrades to the interior of the facelifted Qashqai include a new-look infotainment system and a new steering wheel with updated multi-function controls. 

An updated options list now includes a seven-speaker sound system, while new Tekna+ trim tops the range aimed at the growing market of premium buyers. Tekna+ gets new alloys, Nappa leather seats and more luxurious materials around the centre controls, and it will push the Qashqai into rivalry with premium crossovers like the BMW X1 and Audi Q3.

Engines will be carried over from the current model, which means there will be the same choice of 1.2-litre and 1.6-litre petrol options, as well as 1.5-litre and 1.6-litre diesels.

There’s also upgrades to the safety equipment available on the Qashqai. The automatic emergency braking now gets pedestrian detection, while there’s a rear cross traffic alert to help while reversing.

The Qashqai will be built at Nissan's Sunderland plant alongside the Leaf, which is set to be replaced later this year, and Juke, as well as the Q30 and QX30 of sub-brand Infiniti. Sunderland's annual output at last year's count was 507,436 vehicles.