THE UK-built Qashqai has always been a bit of a trail-blazer with Nissan claiming that the popular vehicle actually created the crossover segment when it was launched back in 2007.

And that is a segment that has grown from strength to strength over the years and is a fiercely competitive marketplace these days.

Last year, Nissan introduced its new Qashqai and with the outgoing model clocking up more than two million global sales, the latest edition had lots to live up to.

Thankfully it does just that. There is a wide selection of powertrains on offer, along with trim and transmission options and the price-tag remains very attractive.

This car was powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. It can sprint to 62mph in 11.9 seconds and has a top speed of 124mph. According to official figures it can return combined fuel economy of 47.1mpg with carbon emissions of 138g/km.

It has to be said the latest Qashqai is still quite a presence on the road with eye-catching good looks. It boasts 18-inch alloys, rear privacy glass, a distinctive black honeycomb front grille, plenty of chrome trim, body-coloured bumpers, handles and mirrors, plus sweeping light clusters.

The interior is beautifully styled and the driver benefits from great all-round visibility thanks to the elevated driving position.

All passengers have ample space and the high roofline means back seat occupants have lots of head room. Storage options are comprehensive which is vital in a crossover model - the Qashqai's boot can cater for 430 litres of luggage. The 60:40 split-folding rear seats can be dropped down which increases this capacity to 1,585 litres.

The interior has an up-market feel to it with a whole host of techno treats and creature comforts at your disposal.

These include the new NissanConnect seven-inch touchscreen navigation and entertainment system, Bluetooth, six speakers, a CD player with DAB radio, a fabulous 360-degree around view monitor, cruise control with speed limiter and plenty more besides.

On the road, the Qashqai was very confidently, gripping the Tarmac very soundly and making light work of tight bends with next-to-no body roll. The acceleration from the petrol engine was impressive and there was a constant supply of power on tap.

In and around town the excellent all-round view was a bonus and then out on the faster roads the car easily kept pace with speedy motorway traffic. And somehow most of the bumps and dips were absorbed by the vehicle's highly-efficient suspension system too.

It's also worth noting the list of safety features that the Qashqai comes equipped with such as anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, hill start assist, numerous airbags and a Smart Vision Pack that includes traffic sign recognition, high beam assist, lane departure warning, forward emergency braking and lots more besides.

These are all factors that will feature highly on the crossover-buyer's wish-list as many of the vehicles will be used regularly to transport children so safety really is paramount.

All in all, the new Qashqai seems to have taken the baton carried by its predecessor and run with it, picking up the pace as it goes.