Qashqai, Nissan's mid-size cross-over vehicle, is being revised for 2010 and will undergo an extensive update in spring to cement its position as an alternative to the traditional hatchback.

Launched in Europe in March 2007, the 500,000th customer delivery is expected to take place later this month.

The Qashqai has helped the British manufacturing industry through the recession, as all Qashqais are built at Nissan's Sunderland plant.

The most notable visual change to the Qashqai is at the front, where a complete makeover has taken place. All new bonnet, front bumper, wings, grille and headlamps designs are intended to give the Qashqai an air of premium sophistication, presence and quality. The new front-end design is shared with Qashqai+2.

At the rear, the overall shape of the lights remains unchanged, but they now include an aerodynamic feature to reduce drag. A more transparent lens design has been adopted, with the upper portion, housing the reversing lights and indicators, being clear. The lower section, with the brake and nighttime running lights is red. Additionally, the brake and tail lights operate using 12 LEDs for maximum clarity.

Two new exterior colours have been added: Magnetic Red and Mineral Grey. Additionally, two new alloy wheel designs will be introduced. Both are five-spoke designs - one 16-inch and one 17-inch diameter.

Inside, the Qashqai features a new design to the main dials which aim to give added clarity and legibility. A redesigned drive computer is positioned between the two dials. Its white LCD screen shows instantaneous and average fuel consumption, mileage, time, cruise control and speed limiter settings among others, providing the driver with an easy to understand interface.

There is improved protection against noise and vibration.

Wearing the badge reserved only for the Nissan models with the most environmentally efficient economy and emissions, this Qashqai produces only 129g/km of CO2.