Hi Chris,

Not especially – the original Qashqai was fitted with reasonably parsimonious 1.6 and 2.0-litre petrol engines, which should give decent economy today if driven sensibly. Road tax will be a little higher on these models than their equivalent-era diesels, due to the CO2-based tax law change of 2008, and if you do more than 20,000km per annum, then a diesel would make more sense. But petrol’s lower fuel prices and maintenance costs mean, if you do less than 20,000km per annum, then a car powered by this fuel often makes sense. Also, older petrol cars are usually cheaper than a similar age, mileage and condition diesel.