Priced from £17,595 to £27,845, the new model sees an increase in pricing but offers new technology, comfort and practicality features, with Nissan saying it ‘remains accessible to buyers considering a conventional hatchback or crossover’.

On sale from January 2014, the model will be offered in four trim grades: Visia, Acenta, Acenta Premium and Tekna.

Entry-level Visia models, priced from £17,595, include automatic air conditioning, Hill Start Assist, a five-inch colour HD infotainment screen, Chassis Control, TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) and Speed Limiter/Cruise control as standard.

Acenta models start from £19,145 and include dual-zone automatic air con, premium leather steering wheel and gear knob, 17-inch alloy wheels and a Luggage Board System. Safety equipment includes front fog lamps, auto headlamps and rain-sensing wipers.

In addition, the Visia and Acenta models come with the option of a Smart Vision Pack (£450) that adds Nissan’s Safety Shield system among other driver aids. Designed to enhance the safety of occupants, the pack incorporates Front Collision Avoidance, Driver Attention Support and Traffic Sign Recognition.

The trim line-up then sees Acenta Premium models start from £20,995 offering comfort and safety technologies including the latest NissanConnect infotainment system with DAB radio. A rear view camera is also fitted as standard, along with i-key Start Push Button, parking sensors and a panoramic glass roof. Safety features include Front Collision Avoidance, High Beam Assist and Lane Departure Warning.

For the range-topping Tekna models – which start from £23,145 – Nissan promises new-to-sector technologies including Bi-LED headlamps, Safety Shield with Traffic Signal Recognition and High Beam Assist. In addition, Tekna models are equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, part-leather seats, a large glass roof, heated seats, front and rear parking sensors and Intelligent key with engine start button. The latest NissanConnect system is also standard, including a seven-inch touchscreen display, DAB digital radio, Around View Monitor and smartphone connectivity.

As announced last week, the line-up consists of four engines: two petrols and two diesels – including a 99g/km 1.5 dCi – with the option of two or four-wheel-drive. Customers can also choose between manual and Xtronic CVT transmissions.

The line-up includes the entry-level 1.2 DIG-T 113bhp petrol, which offers sharper acceleration and greater flexibility than the outgoing 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine whilst also offering improved efficiency at 129g/km of CO2 (15g/km less than the outgoing 1.6-litre petrol unit), and fuel consumption of 50.4mpg.

From autumn next year, this will be joined by a 1.6 DIG-T 148bhp engine, designed for sharp performance fuel consumption of 50.4mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of 132g/km.

The entry-level diesel take the form of an updated version of the 108bhp 1.5 dCi, which offers a 15lb.ft increase in torque along with improved NVH. Emissions are down to 99g/km whilst combined mpg is 74.3mpg.

Finally, there’s a 128bhp 1.6 dCi offered with the option of two and four-wheel-drive. In two-wheel-drive manual form, the 1.6 dCi has CO2 emissions of 115g/km and a combined fuel consumption figure of 64.2mpg. There’s also a version with an Xtronic CVT gearbox that offers stepped gear changes under hard acceleration. This emits 119g/km and returns 61.4mpg, while the four-wheel-drive manual version has figures of 129g/km and 57.6mpg.

Watch the official reveal of the second-generation Qashqai by Nissan chief operating officer, Carlos Ghosn.

Full pricing details: