NISSAN has never described the Qashqai as an SUV and we all know why. SUVs have got a bad name, in many cases unfairly, based just on looks. Would-be critics should examine the fuel consumption figures and emissions. Most of them are reasonably frugal and clean.

Those that deserve the wrath heaped on their owners are few and far between, and in these cases the owners are well-heeled and thick skinned enough to take the financial and verbal hit that is coming their way.

But back to the Qashqai the look-alike SUV which is turning heads but not stomachs. The look is impressive. It has a strong presence but the proportions are surprisingly compact.

This is a cross between a family hatchback, the new breed of crossover vehicles we see more and more of, and an SUV.

Despite the odd name it was designed in Europe and will even be exported to Japan where small is beautiful because their roads and parking areas are even more conjested than ours. The height is 1.6 metres so it is within Opel Zafira dimensions in this department and the wheelbase and length is not much longer than any medium-sized family saloon. The body lines are very clever with bulges in the right places, with the high rear end adding to the big look.

Inside there is a roomy feel with a high driving position giving good visibility, supportive seats with plenty of leg room and shoulder room front and rear.

Soundproofing is good and only at high speeds do tyre and engine noise seep into the cabin.

As it will be a family vehicle, safety is important and Nissan provides six airbags as standard with anti-lock and additional braking aids such as brake assist and EBD. Pleasant surprises include the air conditioning fitted as standard, the Bluetooth phone handsfree equipment which can be programmed to accommodate a number of phones, rain sensing wipers, fog lights, steeringmounted audi control, keyless entry, cool gloovebox and automatic headlights.

The boot, about average at over 400 litres, can be expanded by lowering the back of the rear seats. Commercial weekday users will lament that the rear seats do not fold into the floor .

On the road the ride is smooth and there are no nasty surprises unless the speed is excessive on sharp bends when a bit of white knuckle steering manoeuvres will be called for. For those who want to pay more there is fourwheel-drive option on the 2-litre petrol and 2-litre diesel versions but most will opt for the 1.6-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines.

In a short test the 1.5-litre diesel performed well and can cope with the needs of most families with 106 bhp on tap and 240 Nm of torque. Power comes through a slick six-speed manual transmission and is more than adequate for Irish driving conditions. But don't expect to be first off at the lights - it takes almost 13 seconds to reach 100kms. The economy is first class - up to 6L/100 km (43 mpg around town) and 5.4L/100km ( 52 mpg in mixed driving). No SUV traits here and the CO2 emission levels are equally impressive at 145g/km, which is less than many small/medium family saloons with 1.4-litre petrol engines.

This is a first-class diesel engine developed by Renault and well worth a test drive.

The Quashkai is built alongside the Note in Sunderland which is the most productive assembly plant outside Japan. The Note sells below the Qashqai and with the arrival of another new model, the Tiida, a hatchback/saloon model, the trio slot in as replacements in the Almera segment. The diesel in SE trim sells at Euro26,695 and Euro29,195 in SVE trim.

The line-up of engines starts with the 1.6-litre petrol 115 bhp output in SE trim which sells at Euro23,995 and will be the best seller. The SVE trim level gets, in addition, cruise control, dualzone air conditioning, 17in alloy wheels, a panoramic glass roof and folding side mirrors. In May the 2-litre diesel engine with the option of four-wheel drive and automatic transmission will be here.

VITAL STATISTICS Qashqai diesel SEx 1.5 L diesel 106bhp 4315 mm 1783 mm 1606 mm 2631 mm 0/100km -12.2 secs 174 km 6-speed manual 5.4L/100km (combined) Euro26,695 145g/km