2017 Nissan Qashqai spied testing in France

Goes on sale in Europe later this year.

The second-generation Nissan Qashqai arrived in 2013 and to keep the popular European crossover fit until the next-gen model breaks cover later this decade, the company is preparing a facelift, previewed by the Nissan Qashqai Premium Concept at the Geneva show last year. A test prototype of the 2017 Nissan Qashqai here was seen testing in Toulouse, France, courtesy Auto Plus reader Matt.

The 2017 Nissan Qashqai gets revised front and rear fascias and a new wheel design. The front-end gets new V-Motion grille, restyled lower grille and horizontal fog lamps. Spy shots on the web show the rear-end of the new model with tweaked taillights. The front and rear bumpers receive slight modifications as well.

The 2017 Nissan Qashqai will not be about a refreshed styling. The mid-cycle update will bring a semi-autonomous driving tech with the name "Piloted Drive" to the compact SUV. The autonomous driving tech takes control of the steering, braking and acceleration, very useful for drivers in stop and go traffic in urban driving and highway driving. It will however not offer lane changing, at least initially.

Also Read: Next-gen Nissan Juke to be wider, lose diesel option

The 2017 Nissan Qashqai should continue with the 1.2-litre DIG-T petrol, 1.5-litre dCi diesel, 1.6-litre DIG-T petrol, 1.6-litre dCi diesel and 2.0-litre petrol engines, available with a continuously variable transmission and a 6-speed manual transmission, in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

[Image Source: Auto Plus]