Qashqai is taller than the average hatchback, but has a smaller footprint. Photos by Alistair Davidson.

If the ‘Qashqai’ badge is the only thing people struggle with about this new mid-size Nissan, then it’s got to be a good thing.

Apparently it’s pronounced ‘cash kai’, but perhaps ‘cash cow’ would be more appropriate as Nissan has sold 450,000 of the things in Japan, Australia and Europe since ’07.

Here, Nissan New Zealand doesn’t have sufficient stock to satisfy demand.

So what makes cash cow, sorry, Qashqai, so popular?

A somewhat unusual replacement for the mainstream Primera, Qashqai wasn’t popped out of one particular mould. It looks like an SUV, but New Zealand’s ST and Ti spec models are front-wheel drive only, so it’s not a SUV.

Farmers will have a ‘real’ four-wheel drive and owners of lifestyle block owners are likely to have a soft-roader, so Qashqai would make an ideal second vehicle: one that has the look, but not the un-PC eco footprint.

New Zealand is now sourcing its Qashqai models from Britain, which brings better specification; cruise control, and audio controls on the steering wheel.

More importantly, Qashqai still has the convenience and practicality of a soft-roader 4WD.

Think high seating position, ample cabin space, and ease of entry and egress which is important to older folk or those with creaky joints.

Size-wise, Qashqai slots in the Nissan range between the smaller and somewhat conservative Tiida, and X-Trail, the latter sharing Qashqai’s platform.

This does leave Nissan without a conventional mid-sized hatch/wagon, on paper at least. In reality Qashqai fills that gap nicely as it’s 100 per cent car-like to drive (while offering better visibility) and has a useful sized load area.

A big plus is the driving position. Slot yourself behind the wheel and you immediately feel right at home, and the clean and simple-looking controls and instruments are right where you’d expect them to be.

Rear-seat passengers enjoy excellent leg and head room.

The range-topping $37,000 Ti tested here was a pleasure to drive. There’s 102kW and 198Nm of torque on tap, and it feels like it.

A useful 352 litres of luggage space is increased fourfold when the rear seat back is folded flat.

This 2.0-litre petrol engine and a constantly variable transmission (CVT – look it up) with six-speed ‘manual’ mode is a great combination. It’s smooth, and the grunt is there when needed.

Steering is light, but there’s a reasonable level of feel. Handling is on the car rather than SUV side of the ledger. It feels composed and predictable when cornering, however low-speed ride is a little on the firmish side.

On coarse chip there’s noticeable road noise from the 215/60 R17 Bridgestone Dueler tyres, but Qashqai most certainly isn’t alone in that regard.

Qashqai’s a viable mid-size hatch that’s fun to drive, well built and has a good level of specification. Factor in its SUV style and five-star ANCAP safety rating, and there’s no doubt Nissan has a winner on its hands.