2025 Nissan Qashqai e-power review
This quirky crossover blends elements of electric driving with the best parts of combustion cars. But there’s a catch.
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The debut of the facelifted Nissan Qashqai was kind of like hosting a birthday party in a hurricane – there’s a lot of stuff swirling around in the world of Nissan right now.
Weeks of speculation have surrounded the future of the business on a global scale, and local executives have insisted the brand is “here to stay”.
The business has even launched a locally-backed, conditional 10-year/300,000km warranty that applies to new cars sold, and ones already in the market.
MORE: Nissan claims it is here to stay
Add to that the constant threat of new brands and cheaper offerings from cut-throat rivals from China and elsewhere, and it seems like quite a moment to launch a pivotal new model.
That aside, the new Qashqai small SUV is a great little thing, and unlike many other rivals that have jacked up prices, the new range is largely on-par with the version it replaces.
There are four variants of the petrol Qashqai – the entry-level ST, better-specced ST-L, plush Ti and top-end Ti-L. Then if you want one of the funky e-Power hybrid models, you need to spend plenty: the Ti-L grade carries on, and there’s a new N-Design model, debuting as the most expensive Qashqai yet for nearly $60,000 drive-away.
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The petrol models continue on with a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 110kW/250Nm, with a CVT auto and front-wheel drive standard for about $38,000 drive-away.
Choose the e-Power, and you’re getting an electric car that runs on petrol.
It has a petrol engine that acts as a generator, powering a battery pack and electric motor.
It’s punchier with 140kW/330Nm, but it also weighs more – at about 200kg heavier than the petrols.
The idea with e-Power is that it’s a stepping stone to EV life, but the fuel consumption on test was higher than expected at 6.0 litres per 100km (claim: 4.8L/100km). Petrol models I drove were showing 7.4L/100km – not that much more than the far more expensive electrified models (claim: 5.8L/100km).
It’s mostly promising in terms of the drive. The petrol models are perky enough, but the CVT auto robs some of the fun in stop-start situations.
The best powertrain on offer is the e-Power, which behaves like an EV in terms of its acceleration – it just happens to be accompanied by a sound similar to a sewing machine as the petrol engine acts like a generator.
It’s super smooth in its acceleration, and has a single-pedal driving mode that makes the best use of the regen braking system, helping you feed more back to the battery and allowing you to drive it just using the throttle pedal, for the most part. That’s good, because the brake pedal is hard to judge.
The ride is better in the heavier e-Power models, too; the petrol versions can feel a bit jittery and jumpy over bumps, particularly the rear suspension. The steering takes a bit of getting used to, too – it’s very direct and quick to react.
Inside the Qashqai now sees the standard inclusion of a 12.3-inch touchscreen media system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a part-digital instrument display is standard in lower grades, but high-spec versions get a fully digital driver screen.
The finishes and materials are of a decent standard, with good seat comfort and reasonable storage on offer as well. A family with tall teens will find it to be big enough inside, without being too large on the outside.
With all the noise around Nissan, the new warranty plan could be a reason to think about this car over its rivals.
If you buy a Qashqai, you could get up to 10 years/300,000km of warranty cover if you service with the brand. Maintenance is every 12 months/15,000km, with the first five services capped at $399 per visit.
And if you maintain it with Nissan’s network, the brand will renew your roadside assist each year, up to a decade in duration.
NISSAN QASHQAI
PRICE: From about $38,000 drive-away
ENGINE: 1.3-litre turbo-petrol 4-cyl, 110kW/250Nm
THIRST: Petrol models – 5.8L/100km
SPARE: Space saver
LUGGAGE: 504 litres
Originally published as 2025 Nissan Qashqai e-power review
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