It’s a new look for one of the more recent Nissan arrivals here.

REMINDER that the latest Nissan Qashqai is older than Kiwis might realise has come with unveiling overseas of its midlife facelift.

Reason for refreshing a model that has been here for less than two years is that it has been in production for almost four.

The United Kingdom-sourced type was prioritised for Europe and only once that market’s demands were settled, were others allowed access.

A significantly revised exterior design, plush cabin materials, Google Built-In tech, and improved safety features are the main ingredients.

There have been no changes to the powertrain lineup that for here involves a 110kW/250Nm 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol and a 140kW/330Nm 1.5-litre three-cylinder E-Power hybrid.

Nissan Australia, which guides introductions to here as well, has indicated the updated car will be in this part of the world before the end of this year. Nissan NZ has not shared any comment, yet.

The front end has new-look split headlights, a triangular grille “inspired by the patterns of ancient Japanese armour scales” with comma-shaped elements, and an updated lower bumper.

The upper DRL section of the headlights is inspired by the similar styling meted the smaller Juke. It includes sequential indicators and an illuminated Nissan badge for some variants.

Other changes include clear-look tail-lights with an updated internal design and available sequential indicators, a reshaped gloss-black rear bumper, and body-coloured exterior trim for the new ‘N-Design’ variant in Europe.

There are also new 18-, 19- and 20-inch alloy wheel designs, and new colours.

The cabin’s big change is a more powerful Android Automotive-based infotainment system with Google Built-In, a system that allows drivers to log into their own Google account and access certain services, such as Maps and Assistant, with voice activation also provided. It is not yet clear if the software will offer here; while NZ has the requisite 4G and 5G network, Australia is not as well furnished. And they call the shots.

NissanConnect also supports remote vehicle functions to close the windows, lock the car, or immobilise and track it in case of suspected theft from the direction of law enforcement authorities.

An updated 360-degree camera provisions, with a 3D function to visualise the car from the front, rear, sides or corner – in addition to the existing ‘bird’s eye view’ – and an invisible bonnet view to avoid curbing the wheels.

Active safety systems have also been revised with a recalibrated autonomous emergency braking system, intelligent speed limit assist, and a custom driver assist mode to allow them to set their preferences at each start-up.

The Qashqai will also be available with a parking spot memory function to save frequently visited locations, allowing the car to automatically manoeuvre into the spot.

It also has revamped graphics in the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with a ‘minimal’ mode to limit distractions, an energy flow monitor in ‘normal’ mode for E-Power hybrid variants, and different colours for each drive mode.

High-spec variants achieve Alcantara trim on the dashboard, doors, centre console lid and knee pads and some variants also have configurable ambient lighting strips in the front and rear of the cabin.