We’ve been running our long-term Nissan Qashqai+2 for a couple of months now and it has proved its worth as a useable and stylish alternative to an MPV.

While the rearmost fold-up seats are designed for occasional use only, they provide sufficient comfort and space for children,
even when seated in a bulky booster seat. 

With only one seat in use owners will find the remaining boot space adequate, although luggage nets would make it safer for the child in the back – a perfect upsell opportunity for dealers.
However, when both seats are in use the load space is severely limited. 

Families with several young children would have to face leaving pushchairs and the like behind if the car is fully occupied.
This isn’t unique to the Qashqai+2, as families would face a similar issue in an MPV such as the Mazda5.

That aside, in Tekna specification there is plenty of on-board storage for little things. All four doors have deep pockets to take drink bottles, and the glovebox and centre console storage is adequate. 

An underfloor section in the boot also keeps small items secure and out of view.

Our latest use of the car has revealed two minor niggles. It takes a fair while for the engine to warm up and the front screen takes several minutes to demist, plus the alarm mysteriously went off occasionally during the first few weeks but seems to have fixed itself now.