NISSAN may lay claim to having invented the first crossover model with the introduction of the Qashqai back in 2006, but these days the majority of new arrivals on the new car scene seem to be vying for sales in that fiercely competitive sector.

So, clearly Nissan needs to up its game with every reinvention of the Qashqai and, most recently, the Japanese manufacturer has introduced upgraded diesel engines to the mix which deliver extra power, improved performance and lower emissions.

We tried the Qashqai in high-end Tekna trim powered by the latest 1.7-litre diesel unit delivering 150ps and 340Nm of torque, priced at £33,315 - Vivid Blue metallic paint added an extra £575 to the cost.

This engine boasts an extra 20ps of power along with 20Nm of torque and was mated to the highly impressive Xtronic automatic transmission.

The Qashqai could complete the 0-62mph dash in 11.2 seconds and topped out at 120mph, while delivering 40.9 to 41.2mpg under the more stringent WLTP testing with carbon emissions of 154g/km.

Obviously, the Qashqai is renowned as being a practical, easy to drive, efficient and feature-rich family car and, although it is no longer sold in seven-seat guise, the vehicle still ticks all the right boxes.

Yes, there are more dynamic rivals out there and some models do offer superior storage limits, but the all-round package delivered by the Qashqai still impresses.

It's a vehicle that can carry three adults in the back provided they don't mind rubbing shoulders. And it has a boot capacity that ranges from 430 litres to 1,598 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats folded flat (reduced to 401 and 1,569 litres on this car due to the optional superior Bose sound system with extra speakers).

Our Qashqai also featured all-wheel drive and could tow a trailer or caravan weighing up to 2,000kg.

First impressions count and the five-door Qashqai looks good from any angle thanks to its sporty profile, a V-Motion front grille, sweeping light clusters, silver roof rails, privacy glass, chrome glass surrounds, a rear roof spoiler and 19-inch Diamond Cut alloy wheels.

Move inside and the interior is upmarket with clutter-free styling and the likes of part-leather upholstery, ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, carbon-effect dashboard trim, plus all the techno treats you could wish for.

Creature comforts include the new NissanConnect seven-inch touchscreen navigation and entertainment system, a pitch perfect Bose sound system, smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, automatic dual zone climate control with pollen filter, Bluetooth with audio streaming and a D-shaped multi-function steering wheel.

So, the Qashqai still looks the business and is a practical family model that is packed with technology. But how does it handle when put through its paces?

Once again, it's a winner with good acceleration and a constant stream of power on tap courtesy of that new engine.

The road holding is assured with minimal body sway and it's a car that's just as happy out on the open road as it is clocking up high motorway mileage or on shorter trips such as the school drop or weekly supermarket run.

Comfort levels are high with the slightly elevated seats resulting in good all round visibility. The front seats can be heated and the driver's side is power adjustable.

Safety is a high priority for anyone looking for a family car and the Qashqai, with its maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, is packed with features and driver assistance aids to protect occupants and help to prevent accidents occurring in the first place.

Features include anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, tyre pressure monitoring, Isofix fixtures, and a full suite of airbags.

The car also comes with Nissan's Safety Shield+ package that introduces blind spot warning, intelligent driver alert, rear cross traffic alert and moving object detection.

There was also a Smart Vision pack as standard and that added an anti-dazzle rearview mirror, high beam assist, lane departure warning, intelligent emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, traffic sign recognition, plus front and rear parking sensors.