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Business & Money • Automotive

Nissan Qashqai

The Nissan Qashqai is a compact crossover SUV produced by Nissan since 2006.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Nissan Qashqai is a compact crossover SUV produced by Nissan since 2006. It was introduced as an urban-oriented model and has been sold under different names, including the Nissan Dualis in Japan and Australia for the first generation. The name Qashqai is derived from the Qashqai people, an Iranian nomadic group.

History

The Nissan Qashqai was launched in 2006 and positioned as an urban crossover combining characteristics of a hatchback and an SUV. It became one of Nissan’s best-known global passenger vehicles and helped define the compact crossover segment.

Generations and naming

The first generation was sold as the Nissan Dualis in Japan and Australia, while other markets used the Qashqai name. The model entered its second generation in 2014 and its third generation in 2021.

Design and market position

Nissan has described the Qashqai as part of its global design language, with a modern crossover shape and an emphasis on practicality. It has been especially successful in Europe, where it has been a leading vehicle in its class.

Production

European-market Qashqai models have been built at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in England. The vehicle has also been associated with Nissan’s European engineering and production strategy for compact crossovers.

Key facts

  • The Qashqai is a compact crossover SUV made by Nissan since 2006.
  • The first generation was marketed as the Nissan Dualis in Japan and Australia.
  • It is widely described as one of the early urban crossover models.
  • Production for European markets has included Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the United Kingdom.
  • The name Qashqai is derived from the Qashqai people, an Iranian nomadic group.
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Canadian context

The Qashqai is relevant to Canadian readers mainly as part of the global compact-crossover segment, though it has been more prominent in Europe than in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What type of vehicle is the Nissan Qashqai?
It is a compact crossover SUV in the C-segment.
When was the Nissan Qashqai first introduced?
It was introduced in 2006.
What is the Nissan Qashqai called in Japan?
The first generation was sold in Japan as the Nissan Dualis.
Where is the Nissan Qashqai made?
European-market versions have been built at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the United Kingdom.
What does the name Qashqai refer to?
The name is derived from the Qashqai people, an Iranian nomadic group.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Qashqai
    Supports: Model type, production start year, and first-generation naming in some markets.
  2. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Qashqai_(first_generation)
    Supports: First-generation production dates and description as an early urban crossover.
  3. Nissan Globalhttps://www.nissan-global.com/EN/INNOVATION/DESIGN/DESIGNWORKS/QASHQAI/
    Supports: Design language and styling description.
  4. Nissan News Europehttps://europe.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/the-qashqai-story-necessity-is-the-mother-of-innovation
    Supports: Urban crossover positioning, European market significance, and naming origin.
  5. Nissan of Streetsborohttps://www.nissanstreetsboro.com/blogs/8872/what-is-the-nissan-qashqai-called-in-the-usa-comprehensive-guide-from-nissan-of-streetsboro
    Supports: U.S. market naming correspondence with Rogue Sport.