With over three million sales in Europe, the Qashqai is one of Nissan's best-selling models, so the all-new version is a very important launch for the Japanese manufacturer. After numerous teasers, the all-new Nissan Qashqai has debuted, sporting sharper styling and upgraded technology. This is Nissan's third model reveal this month following the new Pathfinder SUV and Frontier pickup. In the US, the Qashqai is sold as the Rogue Sport, which should debut soon with all the changes applied to the new Qashqai.

Compared to the outgoing model, the new third-generation Qashqai is more muscular and modern looking, with prominent shoulder lines, a larger V-Motion grille finished in chrome, and new optional 20-inch diamond-cut wheels. A single character line adorns the profile stretching from the front to the rear. The wheelbase has increased by 0.7 inches, while the overall length has increased by 1.3 inches. The new Qashqai is also 0.9 inches taller and 1.2 inches wider, giving the crossover more presence.

Flanking the V-Motion grille are slim LED matrix headlights with boomerang-shaped daylight running lights and technology that adapts the shape of the beam according to the road conditions and other cars on the road. The rear lights also create a 3D effect when lit. The new Qashqai will be available in 16 body colors including five two-tone combinations.

Inside, the interior has more premium materials and higher quality switchgear and buttons, along with new white ambient lighting that creates a relaxing environment. Thanks to the longer wheelbase, rear legroom has increased by 1.10 inches to 23.9 inches, with more distance created between the driver and front passenger. Front and rear headroom also increases by 0.5 inches.

A powered hands-free tailgate makes it easier to access the cargo area, which offers over 50 liters of extra luggage space as the cargo floor has been lowered by 0.7 inches. The rear doors also now open to 85 degrees, allowing easier access to child seats in the back.

Interior technology has been upgraded significantly, with a larger, higher-resolution nine-inch infotainment screen supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a new 12.3-inch driver display controlled by a dial on the steering wheel that can display navigation, entertainment, traffic, or vehicle information.

Nissan is also offering a new 10.8-inch head-up display that can project navigation, driver assists, and road information, which the Japanese automaker claims is the "biggest-in-segment image size." Using the NissanConnect Services smartphone app, the horn, lights, and door locks can be controlled remotely. Smart alerts can also be set including speed, time, and zone with app notifications alerting the driver.

Under the hood, the new Qashqai is powered by a mild-hybrid 1.3-liter turbocharged gasoline engine producing 138 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. A marginally more powerful variant is also available with 156 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque.

Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission as standard. Alternatively, Nissan offers an Xtronic continuously variable transmission available with 2WD or 4WD. For the first time in Europe, the new Qashqai is also available with Nissan's e-Power hybrid technology, combining a 1.5-liter engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 187 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque. This is a welcome upgrade over the e-Power setup in Japan's Nissan Note, which has a smaller 1.2-liter engine.

With Nissan's e-Power setup, the gasoline engine is used solely to generate electricity, while the wheels are driven by the electric motor allowing the engine to always run within its optimal range for improved fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. Like the Nissan Leaf, the new Qashqai can be operated with an e-Pedal, allowing the driver to start, accelerate and decelerate using only the accelerator pedal.

Under the skin, the new Qashqai rides on Nissan's CMF-C platform to reduce the weight. The rear hatchback door is now made of a composite material saving 5.7 pounds, while the front and rear doors, front fenders and hood are made of aluminum, reducing the weight by 46 pounds. Overall, the body-in-white is 132 pounds lighter and 41 percent stiffer than the previous model. 2WD models with 19-inch wheels feature torsion beam rear suspension, while models with all-wheel-drive and 20-inch wheels can be equipped with an advanced multi-link set-up.

As for safety tech, the new Qashqai can be equipped with Nissan's ProPilot with Navi-link semi-autonomous driving assist, which can accelerate and brake within a single-lane on a highway and adapt the car's speed according to the situation by reading road signs.

In Europe, the new Qashqai will go on sale in the summer, with pricing to be confirmed at a later date. The new Rogue Sport will likely go on sale in the US later this year after the Qashqai's European launch.