First things first I have never been a fan of big cars.It is probably something to do with the fact that my parents never let me drive their Volvo estate until I was 21 (and even then only with one in the front seat clinging onto the hand brake for dear life).To me jeeps and SUVs are just for posers to show off in or status symbols for people with an inferiority complex who want to look down on the world.But when the opportunity arose to try out HWP’s Nissan Qashqai I was forced to swallow my pride and give it a try.The vehicle is a crossover with the elevation and ruggedness of a jeep combined with the sleek look and streamlined curves of a car.Stepping into the driver’s seat I had a chance to test it out on some of Bermuda’s narrower roads and hills and found that it handled around corners and bends with consummate ease, while it pulled away smartly on the uphill stretch from Spanish Point back to the showroom with its two-litre engine barely breaking sweat.One of the smartest features of the vehicle is its air-conditioning control which allows the temperature on the driver and passenger’s side to be regulated separately.Another is the sensor wipers on the front indicators and the windscreen which come on in the rain and at night to clear the screen for the next morning.Behind the wheel you are certainly in comfortable surroundings with real leather seats and a lofty perspective. A smooth ride is ensured with no interruption from the outside world when the windows are up and a seamless transition with the steptronic gearbox and switch between automatic and two and four-wheel drive.Ideal for anyone from a sporty type towing their jet ski to the beach or a mum picking up the kids from school to a young executive who wants a nice run around, it also comes with front seat warmers and an AM/FM CD radio to put you in the lap of luxury.The Nissan has been around in Bermuda since the 1970s and this particular model is manufactured in Sunderland, UK, during which time it has built up a reputation as a reliable brand and has established a good following.The Qashqai, which has been on the road here for about three years, measures up well against its Mitsubishi counterpart the ASX the only gripe would be a lack of back up sensors, which can quickly be remedied for the princely sum of $615, and limited storage space given its shape.In terms of value it is the least expensive SUV on the market with all the bells and whistles from power steering, windows, mirrors and locks through to keyless entry, ABS brakes, air bags and alloy wheels.I tried it out in perfectly dry conditions on a straight road, but am assured that it excels in the wet and off-road, taking pot holes and puddles effortlessly.For the more conservative-minded, it achieves 33.6 miles to the gallon, and while SUVs are never going to be truly fuel efficient, for Bermuda purposes it seems like a good fit for the roads here.By no means a convert just yet, some of the high-tech features on their merit were enough to attract me to this vehicle alone.Rating: 3 out of 5