The Nissan Qashqai – one of the safest family cars on the market – is now kinder to the environment thanks to a raft of engine improvements.

A start-stop system, which cuts power to the engine when the car is stationary and automatically restarts when the clutch pedal is pressed, can now specified as an option with the 1.6-litre petrol engine.

The £200 option boosts fuel economy by around 3 per cent, and cuts emissions to 139g/km of CO2 (149g/km for the Qashqai +2) meaning a drops from tax band G to band F which equates to a £30 a year saving.

Pollution-reducing filters have been added to the 1.5-litre diesel engine, while Nissan’s engineers have tuned the engine for slightly more power.

The N-Tec version of the Qashqai and seven-seat Qashqai+2 now comes with Nissan Connect sat-nav and audio system, 18-inch alloy wheels, a colour reversing camera, a full-length glass sunroof and tinted windows as standard.

The Nissan Qashqai launched in 2007, created a new niche for small, high-riding and practical family cars. It was without rival until 2009 when the Skoda Yeti and Peugeot 3008 went on sale.

Full gallery: Nissan Qashqai

There are more than 1,500 used Nissan Qashqais for sale on Auto Trader.

By Stuart Milne, deputy web editor