HARD as it might be to believe the all-conquering Nissan Qashqai is ten years old this year.

Yes, it's a whole decade since Nissan unleashed something altogether new on the world in the shape of the crossover.

Having made the bold decision not to replace its tried and tested Almera with a like-for-like model Nissan really did decide to do it differently, with a vehicle that had something of the family hatchback curiously mixed with a bit of SUV DNA.

As with all styling gambles in the automotive industry, sometimes they pay off and sometimes they don't.

That said, the bosses at Nissan could hardly have imagined the success the Qashqai would go on to enjoy.

The concept proved so popular that before too long everyone else decided to follow Nissan's example and now crossovers are here, there and everywhere.

While there seems to be plenty of room in what is clearly a crowded marketplace, by getting there first Nissan has enjoyed something of an advantage and the Qashqai is still the crossover of choice for many.

An all-new version was unveiled in 2013, that was refreshingly rather than daringly different, and its popularity has endured.

By the early part of this year Nissan had celebrated selling 3.3 million Qashqais worldwide, with those for the European market produced in the car maker's hugely successful Sunderland factory.

The second generation Qashqai is a little more grown-up than the original, certainly on the inside.

The cabin is roomy, comfortable and very family-friendly and the trim is slightly more sophisticated too, with noticeably decent quality switchgear and plenty of soft-touch plastics.

Head and leg room are generous throughout, with rear seat passengers particularly well catered for and the rear bench can comfortably transport three adults.

The rear seats fold down in a 60/40 split and the Qashqai's comes with a large (439-litre) boot.

All versions come generously equipped, though this higher-specced Tekna model offers pretty much everything one could wish for.

Visia and Acenta specifications offer Bluetooth connectivity, while more the opulent N-Connecta and Tekna trims come with Nissan's Connect system, a seven inch touchscreen offering a DAB radio alongside a USB socket and sat nav system. N-Vision and Black Edition trim levels are also available.

As with most mass market family cars on the market there's a good choice of petrol and diesel engines.

Diesel might be a dirty word for some these days but the 1.5-litre and 1.6-litre options that are shared across the Renault range are proven and capable all-rounders.

This was the larger 1.6-litre unit and it is nicely refined, offers plenty of pulling power and decent economy too.

The Qashqai handles well for a vehicle that sits higher and though there's an element of pitch and roll it's pretty minimal, giving the vehicle a feel that's certainly more car-like than SUV-like.

The steering is light yet responsive and the Qashqai is also impressively quiet when travelling at speed.