Overview
NISSAN recently updated its Qashqai range to become available exclusively with e-Power petrol-electric motivation. That means there is no longer a petrol alternative for prospective Qashqai buyers, Nissan seemingly adopting a strategy similar to that of Toyota in gradually removing ICE-only power from its range.
And while it does add to the upfront cost of the vehicle, the e-Power alternative is one that brings benefits to just about every other aspect of Qashqai ownership… as we’ll find out in our Driving Impressions below. But first, a recap.
The MY26 Nissan Qashqai range is offered with four trim grades, including the new entry-level ST-L, the Ti (tested here), Ti-L, and flagship N-Design. Pricing starts from $45,640 plus on-road costs and tops out at $54,140. That makes the purchase price around $10,000 more than it was when petrol power was available, with the former Qashqai ST (petrol) starting from $34,665.
On the plus side, the e-Power driveline offers buyers improved fuel economy and lower emissions compared with not only the petrol-powered model, but also the previous generation of petrol-electric Qashqai models.
Nissan quotes a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 4.1 litres per 100km (-0.7L/100km) and lower CO2 emissions of 112 grams per kilometre (-20g/km) when compared with the preceding e-Power range, amounting to real-world savings of between $8 and $10 per fill.
The MY26 Qashqai range is also quieter than before (-5.6dB) and offers 10kW more power in Sport mode for “more responsive performance”.
Other changes to the MY26 Nissan Qashqai e-Power range include an enhanced 360-degree camera system with Eight-Point Around View, Skeleton Hood (see-through bonnet) View, and T-Junction View to make parking and manoeuvring even easier.
Qashqai Ti grades and above further adopt Nissan’s enhanced ProPilot driver assistance system, now with the ability to detect vehicles in adjacent lanes, updated lane keeping assist functionality, and improved display graphics.
Standard equipment highlights for the MY26 Qashqai range include a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, wireless smartphone charging, NissanConnect connected car services, intelligent keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone climate control, and a comprehensive suite of Nissan Intelligent Mobility Safety technologies.
As previously, the model range is backed by Nissan’s extensive 10-year/300,000-kilometre factory warranty when serviced at a Nissan dealership.
Driving Impressions
If you’re as old as I am, you probably remember a Honda commercial with a whole bunch of moving parts and a catchphrase that said, “Isn’t it nice when everything just works?”.
Well, we’re kind of pleased to say that it’s also something of a catchphrase you could just as easily apply to the Nissan Qashqai.
This really is an understated and terrific little car. It’s spacious enough to comfortably seat four adults, the ergonomics are close to spot on and outward visibility very good, with the possible exception that the thicker D pillars the make reversing from an angle park somewhat tricky.
But what’s more impressive – and getting back to the fact that everything just works – is that the ADAS systems in the Qashqai are quite simply brilliant.
There’s no jumping at shadows, no second guessing, and no false positives. The ADAS systems act exactly as one should anticipate. No need for turning things off. No need for a continual adjustment of your driving style. Just sensible, useful technology that allows you to get in the car and drive with the assurance of a little electronic help when you genuinely need it.
The lane centering, the blind-spot system, the adaptive cruise control, all work without issue; the latter being particularly useful in highway driving in that it recognises and prompts speed limit changes while at the same time managing lane position, proximity to other vehicles, and anything else that might be of use. No dings. No dongs. No fuss.
In night driving, the all-LED adaptive headlighting of the Qashqai is equally brilliant – in every sense of the word. The headlight technology employed by Nissan uses tiny shutters to mask light from vehicles travelling toward or away from you, as well as reflections from traffic signs, to provide an uninterrupted and generous spread of light. In country driving, this is a massive plus.
The petrol-electric e-Power driveline is something we’ve discussed in detail before, so we won’t reiterate its operation here, except to comment that the quiet operation and smooth acceleration provided by the Nissan driveline is greatly appreciated in both city and rural driving.
There are no ridiculous power and torque figures, and no mind-stretching 0-100km/h times here. Just brisk, fluid acceleration from any speed and fuel economy that almost defies belief. Our test, which included weekday city driving, and a 400km country round-trip, saw a return of 4.2 litres per 100km (indicated).
Elsewhere, the Qashqai Ti e-Power offers sensibly weighted steering that offers enough feedback to give you an accurate sense of what the road is telling you. The brake pedal is likewise positive in its response, the pedal action uniform in its stroke regardless of whether the petrol engine is in operation or not.
We found the ride/handling compromise of the Qashqai well suited to Australian roads, soaking up most imperfections well while at the same time offering decent levels of body control. The Qashqai handles corners eagerly, without being over-responsive or sharp, showing a level of maturity in the suspension tune we think will appeal to a broad range of buyer types.
The equipment list for the Ti grade offers Qashqai buyers just about everything they want – in fact, the only thing we really missed in our week with the car was an electronic tailgate (you’ll need to move up to the Ti-L grade for that one). Otherwise, it’s a terrific offering that offers all that you need, and none of the stuff you’ll never use.
We appreciate the fact the climate control system managed scorching summer temperatures with ease, and that the wireless phone charger and wireless Apple CarPlay system worked flawlessly every time. The proximity locking system is also hard to fault and comes in very handy when your arms are filled with shopping.
Combine these points with an appropriate mix of cabin hard buttons and on-screen menus and it’s easy to see why we enjoyed our time with the Qashqai so much. Sure, it might be a little dearer than some in the segment, but it’s an SUV that you actually appreciate, rather than endure, every time you hop behind the ‘wheel.