2021 Nissan Qashqai interior teased
The upcoming 2021 Nissan Qashqai's interior has been teased, previewing an revamped cabin with significantly upgraded levels of technology compared with its predecessor.
Shadowy teaser images released by the Japanese brand reveal a redesigned interior layout, complemented by an overhauled suite of cabin technologies.
Headlining the upgrades is the addition of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster – a Qashqai first, which is configurable to show navigation, media, vehicle status or other information – joined by a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen running Nissan's latest infotainment system.
The central display measures two inches larger than that fitted to its predecessor, and features wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, TomTom satellite navigation (with traffic and over-the-air map updates), DAB+ digital radio and support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice assistants.
Top-spec Qashqai models add a 10.8-inch head-up display, claimed to be the largest in the class and capable of projecting navigation and driver assistance information onto the windscreen.
Other available interior features include white LED ambient lighting, 10-speaker Bose premium sound system, front and rear USB-A and USB-C ports, and a 15-watt wireless smartphone charging pad capable of supporting modern smartphones as large as Apple's latest iPhone 12 Pro Max.
There's also support for the 'NissanConnect' smartphone app, allowing owners to remotely activate the horn and lights, unlock/lock the vehicle, view vehicle status information, and locate their car.
A screen in the infotainment system directs drivers to a 24/7 emergency helpline, where they can contact emergency services following an accident, or organise a tow truck after a breakdown.
Housing the updated technology suite is a more premium cabin design, in both look and feel.
The new Qashqai features the brand's trademark 'zero gravity' seats, revised for the new model for improved comfort and support, and can comfortable support adults from 145cm to 192cm in height.
Flagship models feature quilted Nappa leather trim – with Nissan claiming the material takes 25 days to produce, and an hour to embroider – with dual-setting memory and massaging functionalities.
In front of the digital gauge cluster is a redesigned steering wheel similar in design to that of the new X-Trail, with a heated unit available on higher-spec models.
Automatic transmission-equipped models feature a smaller, space-saving gear selector, while all-wheel-drive variants add a circular, piano black drive mode selector with metallic trim.
Additionally, the front cup holders have been spaced further apart, while the door bins can now reportedly hold bottles up to 1.5 litres in volume, up from the 500ml maximum housed by the outgoing car.
The 2021 Qashqai is larger than its predecessor in all measurements, with overseas media claiming increases of 35mm in overall length, 32mm in width, 25mm in width and 20mm in wheelbase.
The increased exterior dimensions translate inside the cabin, where Nissan claims 28mm-greater rear knee room (for a total of 608mm) and 15mm increases in front and rear headroom.
Aiding ease-of-entry and visibility is a thinner A-pillar, door-mounted side mirrors and a less-steeply-raked windscreen.
An electric, hands-free tailgate opens to a 504-litre boot, an increase of 74 litres over the outgoing car, thanks to a 20mm-lower floor as a result of improved rear suspension packaging.
Useful boot features of note include storage compartment over the rear wheel arches, innovative rear carpets (with carpet on one side, and 'wipe-clean' plastic on the other), 'dual' lighting and a 12-volt power socket.
Initial details of the Qashqai's engine line-up and safety systems were first announced last month, alongside 'teaser' images of a camouflaged prototype.
The new-generation small SUV will form part of the Japanese brand's new product offensive over the coming years, and will join a revamped SUV range in showrooms comprising the recently-launched small Juke, and the overhauled mid-size X-Trail and large Pathfinder duo.
The 2021 Nissan Qashqai is expected to make its public debut next year, ahead of an expected (though unconfirmed) Australian debut in the second half of 2021.