Tokyo Preview: Nissan Qazana Concept to Inspire Future Compact Crossover

Nissan is continuing to gauge interest in a new design for an upcoming compact crossover by showing the Qazana Concept at the Tokyo Auto Show. First unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show last March, the Qazana may be a bit on the bizarre side but Nissan insists it will eventually lead to a pproduction crossover that will be built in the U.K. in the near future.

Created by the folks at Nissan’s European design studio, the Qazana is the next step after the Qashqai SUV. “When it comes to design, Nissan has developed a reputation for constantly delivering something different,” said Alfonso Albaisa, Vice President, Nissan Design Europe. “The global success of Qashqai has proven that the car buying public is fed up with the conventional… but we are not prepared to sit on our laurels. Qazana might seem a radical solution but important elements of the concept do point to a future Nissan production vehicle.”

The exterior of the crossover was created by mixing design elements from SUVs and sports cars, as well as from beach buggies and motorcycles. It has a tall stance like any SUV would, but it also features short front and rear overhangs and a low roof-line. As for the rear lights, they mimic a design found on the 370Z.

The notably SUV-like wheel arches work to make the car both masculine but also friendly, as they lend a bubbly and fun feel to the SUV. Those wheel arches are a carryover from the Qashqai design concept and also take inspiration from the Murano SUV.

When it finally does make its way into production the Qazana will be a smaller vehicle than the European Qashqai, which is already smaller than the North American Rogue crossover.