Nissan is giving us something to grapple with in the new Qashqai, and not just the challenge of saying its name, which is pronounced “cash-kay”. If you’re wondering, it’s named after a mountain-dwelling nomadic tribe from Iran. Almost as much of a test is understanding what kind of car this is, though the effort is worth it.

Viewed in isolation, this Nissan appears to be a small off-roader — except that most Qashqais will be front-wheel drive rather than four, and when you park it beside a Land Rover Freelander or a Honda CR-V it turns out to be smaller and lower. And the reason is that this car is a so-called crossover, a blend of family hatchback, MPV and yes, four-wheel drive, Nissan’s aim being to provide some of the best features of each.

It comes bundled in a stylish wrapper that’s a world away from Nissan’s forgettable (and unless you owned one, I bet you have) Almera hatchback, the car it in effect replaces. It’s intended as an alternative to cars such as the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf.

Building a hatchback to resemble a four-wheel drive at a time when off-roaders have become the target of environmentally motivated bile might not seem a brilliant move, but the Qashqai was conceived before Chelsea-tractor bashing became a sport, and in any case, about three-quarters of these Nissans will be front-wheel drive.

Many buy off-roaders not for their mud-mashing capabilities but their style, the high seating and the versatility, all of which the Qashqai appears to promise. But it has not been built to spear into the Sahara or romp in Snowdonia, although those wanting it to perform light off-road duties can order it with a four-wheel-drive system called All-Mode.

The engine choice includes 1.6 and 2 litre petrols and 1.5 and 2 litre turbodiesels: a six-speed manual transmission comes with all bar the five-speed 1.6. There are automatic transmission options for both 2 litre models.

Prices start at £13,499 and rise to just under £21,000, pitching this car into the thick of the family car market typified by the Ford Focus. And it’s the likely bestseller, the 1.6 with the mid-range Acenta trim (that’s not a tribe, apparently) that we sample here.

Although a 1.6 might seem small to pull this car along, its 115bhp proves effective enough, and reasonably civilised. But at the higher revs sometimes needed to extract brisk performance it turns busily vocal — to the point where you find yourself explaining to your passengers that, yes, the engine is supposed to sound like that — while hills and a full load do knock it back somewhat.

Those after more zest will be better off with either of the 2 litre engines, or the surprisingly capable 1.5 turbodiesel that arrives shortly.

The extra go will not be wasted on the Qashqai, whose ability through corners is defter than its height might suggest. Occupants will be pleased to discover that it does not heave about over twisting back roads, while keen drivers will enjoy surprisingly decent cornering capability.

The four-wheel-drive version is still more impressive. Sharing qualities with a hot hatchback is not the main point of the Qashqai, however. A large part of its appeal becomes obvious as soon as you step inside.

Step is the word because you climb up into a Qashqai rather than sit down in it. And that confidence-boosting vantage point improves life on board for both driver and passengers, simply because you can see more of the world beyond.

Or rather, you can as long as you look forward — seeing what lies behind is hampered by stylish and sizeable rear pillars that veil much of your over-the-shoulder view.

The Qashqai’s cabin has a pleasing ambience too. Much of it is trimmed with soft-feel plastics of decent (if slightly shiny) texture, and the cabin is available with a subtle orange seat trim that coordinates with the dark brown and black of the dashboard and doors. If that combination sounds a little grim, fear not — it works well in reality, splashes of aluminium decor providing an additional lift.

The clean cabin design is complemented by easily used controls — the optional sat nav, which provides a bird’s eye view, is particularly impressive — and an optional glass roof that’s large enough to make a real difference to the impression of airiness. So does an air-conditioning system that directs a flow of air over the heads of those in front to the rear seat, where it distinctly improves the lot of backbenchers on a hot and sticky day.

Yet it’s in the rear, oddly, that the Qashqai is at its least convincing as a versatile family car. It’s less roomy back there than you’ll find in many rivals, including conventional hatchbacks such as the Focus, and the Ford has noticeably more supportive rear seats, too.

The loadspace is extended by flopping the backrest forward — a bit of a copout really: the cushion should lift and fold to create a flat floor and provide a protective bulkhead behind the front seats. It’s a pity Nissan didn’t provide a sliding rear seat either.

Both these absences limit the Qashqai’s convenience. And while we’re carping, its civility is mildly undermined by a ride that’s sometimes jumpy on broken roads or speed humps, while at speed you’ll hear too much of the commotion of motion.

Yet despite these flaws this Nissan — which is British-built and has largely been designed here, too — is a pleasingly effective small family transport. Its style and unusual blend of abilities provide something that is genuinely fresh in a class of cars whose designs are as predictable as death and taxes.

Vital statistics

Model Nissan Qashqai 1.6 Acenta

Engine type 1598cc, four cylinders

Power/Torque 115bhp@6000rpm/115 lbft @ 4400rpm

Transmission Five-speed manual

Fuel/CO2 42.2mpg (combined cycle) / 162g/km

Performance 0-62mph: 12sec / Top speed: 109mph

Price £14,999

Verdict Usefully different and stylish

Rating 4/5

Date of release Out now

The opposition

Model Ford Focus 1.6 Ti-VCT £14,095

For Does an excellent job

Against Conventional and unimaginative

Model Honda CR-V 2.2 SE £18,800

For Fine 4x4 estate

Against High price