When the Renault–Nissan Alliance was formed in 1999, Nissan's new COO Carlos Ghosn instructed the company to transform its product portfolio in Europe.

In early 2002, 25 European Nissan engineers travelled to the brand’s technical centre in Japan to start of a 12-month project to develop the successor of the Almera.

The development team eventually proposed the idea of a "mini-Murano" type of vehicle smaller than the X-Trail that would be positioned to compete with C-segment hatchback and saloons.

The development was focused on creating a European-oriented vehicle with the desirability, practicality and versatility of an SUV but with the size, driving dynamics and running costs of a family hatchback.

During final development, Nissan decided the Qashqai would serve as a replacement for both the Almera in the C-segment and Primera in the D-segment.

Codenamed P32L,[6] Nissan said the car would cater to buyers who want a more dynamic design, but are not attracted to the large, traditionally upright nature of an SUV.

The car slots below the X-Trail in the Nissan range and partially replaces the conventional Primera and the smaller Almera.

Nissan considered releasing the Chinese version as the CCUV (Compact Crossover Utility Vehicle).

[10][11] The Qashqai has been built at the Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK (NMUK) plant in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom, since December 2006.

The chassis is unique from the A-pillar back, while trim and engine models remain identical to the standard Qashqai.

Modifications to the interior include a new instrument panel layout for the vehicle's drive computer, better soundproofing and minor storage additions.

The system uses a set of external cameras to create a 360 degree "bird's eye" view of the car to help with parking manoeuvres.

In some Middle Eastern markets, the first-generation Qashqai was offered in S, SE and LE, Standard on all trims is the 2.0-litre 106 kW (142 bhp) MR20DE engine with CVT.

Nissan New Zealand used the Qashqai name to distinguish the model from Dualis grey imports, which were shipped from Japan before the official release.

The facelift version only went on sale in the United States (as the Nissan Rogue Sport) beginning with the 2020 model year.

[30] Due to the significant differences in regulation between the U.S. and Europe, Nissan's UK plant did not produce the Rogue Sport.

[31] The US-market Rogue Sport and Canadian Qashqai is powered by a 2.0-litre, 141 hp (143 PS; 105 kW) inline-four petrol engine paired with CVT.

For the 2020 model year, the US-market Rogue Sport and Canadian Qashqai got a refresh with a new front bumper cover and hood, new headlights and tail lights along with new alloy wheels.

[34] Nissan stopped assembling Qashqai at their St. Petersburg plant from March 2022 and went on to exit the Russian market entirely, selling its factory for 1 Euro.

[35] In May 2016, South Korea's environment ministry alleged Nissan used a so-called defeat device in Qashqai with diesel engines to turn off its exhaust reduction system under regular driving temperatures.

[39] In the UK, the Qashqai diesel model was found to emit up to 18 times more nitrogen oxides than the official EU lab-based test allowed.

Since this generation, Nissan has stopped the use of the Rogue Sport name in the United States due to the discontinuation of the second-generation there, reverting to Qashqai globally.

It is claimed to use more lightweight materials and advanced stamping and welding techniques in its construction to increase strength and reduce weight.

[49] Changes include redesigned headlights and taillights, a new front fascia inspired from the Ariya, new exterior colours can be optioned with satin chrome or gloss black elements, new alloy wheel designs, new seat designs, new interior materials, the infotainment system uses Google built-in services, an updated Around View Monitor feature with a front camera viewing angle of 200-degrees, and a new Driver Assist Custom Mode feature allows drivers to preference certain safety features.

The UK-built Qashqai in its most basic Latin American market configuration with 6 airbags, airbag switch, load limiters, UN127, ESC, ISA, and full SBR received 5 stars from Latin NCAP in 2022 under its new protocol (similar to Euro NCAP 2014).