The small SUV showdown: Nissan Qashqai vs Volkswagen Tiguan

Nissan Qashqai vs Volkswagen Tiguan: Which compact SUV should you lease? 

There are no shortage of good options in the small, crossover SUV section of the automotive market. 

And it’s a popular car lease option – especially for families – for good reason. 

Compact dimensions make driving and parking a breeze, while the spacious interior and practical boot give you plenty of room for both your family and your luggage, whether that’s a buggy, a suitcase, or the weekly shop. 

We’ve pitted two fan-favourites head-to-head - all that’s left is for you to decide between a Nissan Qashqai lease or a Volkswagen Tiguan lease.

Easy, right? 

Overview

The compact crossover SUV that kickstarted the inescapable trend, there’s a reason why the Nissan Qashqai remains so popular all these years later. 

When it was launched, Nissan spied a gap in the market for a car that was a little taller and a little cooler than a hatchback – perfect for everyday family life.  

And that’s exactly what they created. 

We’re on the third generation of the Qashqai now, and it only gets better. Though not the most revolutionary car you’ll ever drive, if you need a solid family wagon that can cope with anything you could throw at it, the Qashqai reigns supreme. 

The Volkwagen Tiguan is also a best-seller for the popular German brand. 

Though it might look a little like a Touareg that’s been put on a hot wash, the Tiguan is in a class of its own. This facelifted model was first unveiled in 2020, and has been a roaring success over the past three years.  

If you’re after a good-looking, smallish SUV with a solid drive, the VW Tiguan will tick all the boxes – and more. 

Engines

Nissan have done away with the diesel options for this generation of Qashqai, but have filled the economical hole left behind with a hybrid engine, the e-Power, to maximise the petrol power.  

It’s a phenomenal bit of kit. 

Perfectly bridging the gap between combustion and fully electric, the e-Power gets a 188bhp electric motor that does most of the work, while the 190bhp 1.3L petrol engine is relegated to a supporting role generating the electricity that the e-motor needs – all without having to faff around plugging it in. 

But if you’re looking for a traditional petrol, you’ve got a couple of options. 

There’s a 1.3L 4-cylinder motor up for grabs that can either come in 138bhp manual FWD guise, or 156bhp with the choice between manual or CVT automatic in either FWD or 4WD. 

If you do have your heart set on a diesel, you’re in luck with the Tiguan.  

There’s a whole number of engine and gearbox configurations on offer, so you can customise your car lease. 

At the bottom of the heap is the 128bhp 1.5L TSI petrol engine with FWD and a manual gearbox. Stepping up a notch, you can pick either the 148bhp version of the same engine with either a manual or DSG gearbox.  

If you want more power, go for the 187bhp 2L TSI petrol. 

When it comes to the diesel section, the Tiguan starts with the 148bh 2L diesel with a manual or DSG option. For a bit more power, but still an economical drive, opt for the 197bhp version of the 2L engine that only comes with an auto gearbox and 4Motion four-wheel-drive. 

Interior

Volkswagen have, unfortunately, fallen foul of the no-button plague that seems to be sweeping across the automotive landscape. 

This generation of the Tiguan has removed the buttoned climate control panel, and instead replaced it with a touch-button panel. It’s not the most intuitive of updates, but it is the way the world is going. 

The rest of the interior, in typical Volkswagen fashion, is well-built and well laid out.  

There’s plenty of space for five adults, with enough head space and knee space for all. It doesn’t feel squashed, and there’s plenty of room for two car seats in the back with an older child in the middle. 

It might not stop the arguments, but it will get the whole family to where they need to be. 

On the other side of the fight, Nissan haven’t caved to peer pressure, and the interior of the Qashqai still features a row of physical shortcut buttons on the dash, plus climate controls and a volume knob. 

There are no traditional instrument dials, but the display is customisable and once it's set up how you want it, you’re good to go. 

Top-spec cars also benefit from a head-up display, so you can keep your eyes on the road rather than having to look down whenever you need some key info. 

The Qashqai is spacious enough for family life too, with plenty of space in the back for not just children but adults too. The cabin is also well-built, with plenty of padded surfaces, visible stitching and metallic details to give it a high-quality finish. 

Practicality

Inside the cabin, the Qashqai reigns supreme for practicality.  

There are numerous plugs and cubby holes for your gadgets and your stuff, while the door bins are big enough for a water bottle.  

Around the back, the boot clocks in at a generous 479L, and doesn’t lose any of that space in the hybrid version, which many of its rivals do. Nissan have also added a pair of floorboards that slot into the boot in various places to stop your shopping from sliding around. 

If you flip them over, they even have a mudproof reverse side – perfect for muddy wellies after a long walk. 

For sheer being-able-to-fit-more-than-you-ever-thought-possible ability, the Nissan Qashqai comes out on top.  

The Tiguan also provides a practical package, with a high driving position and supportive front seats. The amount of space and light on offer in the back also makes it feel spacious, and there’s enough storage for all your odds and ends. 

The boot is a hefty 615L, so if you need the additional space for daily living, the weekly shop or your family holidays, the Tiguan is the car for you. 

It does drop down to 476L in the eHybrid, but with the reduced space comes reduced running costs. 

Technology, safety and specs

There are five trim levels on offer with the Nissan Qashqai. 

The entry-level Visia is nice enough, with rear parking sensors, 7in infotainment screen, adaptive cruise control and front/rear LED lights. It starts to get a bit more exciting with an upgrade to Acenta Premium bagging you 17in alloy wheels, an 8in infotainment screen, rear parking camera, smartphone connectivity, dual-zone air con and keyless entry. 

It's likely the trim you’ll want to be looking at if you want to get the best value for money. 

However, opting for one of the three higher specs – N-Connecta, Tekna and Tekna+ - will get you additional creature comforts like larger wheels, 360-parking camera and front sensors, a larger infotainment screen, and even a head-up display on Tekna+. 

Nissan have crammed the Qashqai full of its best driver aids though, including its ProPilot set-up (an active cruise control and lane-keeping) system, and it scored the full five stars on its latest Euro NCAP safety test. 

The Volkswagen Tiguan has a couple of different trims on offer, starting with the base spec Life, and branching out into Elegance and R-Line at the top of the tree. 

If you’re after all the creature comforts, Elegance is the trim for you with a heated steering wheel and panoramic sunroof, while you’ll want to go for R-Line if you want the sportier flair. R-Line is also the only trim level that included VW’s travel assist (controlling steering, braking and accelerating) as standard. 

However, Volkswagen also have a hefty options list on offer. 

If you like a bit more flexibility in your customisation, opt for the Life trim and add in the extras that you want, whether that’s the Harman Kardon sound system or some additional driver assistance features. 

When it comes to interior tech, base spec cars get an 8in touchscreen while top-spec models get a 9.2in screen, but all systems have smartphone connectivity so you can mirror your phone’s screen. 

The facelifted Tiguan hasn’t been put through its paces by Euro NCAP yet, but based on its last five-star score in 2016, it’s highly likely to be awarded top marks again