2024 Nissan Qashqai Ti e-power new car review
A popular Japanese maker has set its sights on some of the best selling vehicles in its class with a fuel-sipping new model that has style and charm in spades.
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Nissan’s electric vehicle charge may have stalled, but the maker is pushing ahead with fuel-sipping hybrid versions of its most popular SUVs.
As Leaf sales dwindle and red tape threatens to derail the launch of its Ariya electric SUV, the Japanese brand has launched a hybrid version of the Qashqai, dubbed the e-power.
The small SUV will go head-to-head with the Toyota Corolla Cross and Hyundai Kona hybrids.
Unlike its two fiercest rivals Nissan isn’t offering its e-power tech across the range. Instead it has opted to sell just one fully-loaded – and front-wheel drive only – Ti model.
Prices start at about $56,000 drive-away for the Qashqai Ti e-power, $4200 more than the petrol-only equivalent and more expensive than the larger all-wheel-drive X-Trail e-power ST-L.
The new hybrid is about $4500 more than the equivalent Toyota and $7000 more than the Hyundai.
Nissan does its hybrids very differently. As with rival machines, the Qashqai e-power has a petrol engine, electric motor and a small lithium-ion battery. But from there things take a turn. At no point does the petrol engine drive the wheels. Instead it serves as a generator to replenish the 2.1kWh battery, which in turn powers the electric motor that drives the wheels.
Hybrids from other makers use the petrol engine to drive the wheels most of the time, with the electric motor chipping in to assist at takeoff and for periods of cruising.
Nissan’s approach is the more rewarding for drivers. It delivers the instant torque and zippy acceleration of an EV around town. But it’s not as efficient as competitors.
Nissan claims the Qashqai e-power drinks 5.2L/100km, compared with the Corolla Cross’s 4.3L/100km and the Hyundai’s 3.9L/100km. The Nissan also requires pricier premium unleaded petrol.
The Qashqai e-power is a good thing to drive, though.
A high seating position gives drivers an excellent view of the road ahead and there is plenty of adjustment in the seat and steering wheel to accommodate all shapes and sizes.
It’s peppy around town and has enough grunt to overtake at speed with ease.
Firmish suspension doesn’t cushion passengers from bumps and road imperfections as well as rivals, though.
It does, however, corner better than most small SUVs. Well-weighted and direct steering gives the driver confidence when tackling a tight and twisting country road.
The Qashqai is serene around town but the tyres can get noisy on poorer quality, rougher roads.
We managed to match Nissan’s fuel use claim after an extensive drive on mostly high-speed country roads.
It’s a well put together machine that feels more premium than most.
Soft, leather-accented materials cover all touch points and wood veneer-like highlights add a touch of class.
The quilted, leather-accented seats are heated, massaging and power adjustable in the front row.
The cabin strikes a good balance between rear legroom and boot space and its rear doors open wide to make loading kids easier.
It misses out on a spare, though, and makes do with a fiddly tyre repair kit.
There is LED lighting front and back, 19-inch alloy wheels and a panoramic sunroof.
A 12.3-inch infotainment screen is paired with a digital driver’s display of the same size and a head-up display projects vital information such as travelling speed and safety warnings onto the windscreen in front of the driver.
Other goodies include a 10-speaker Bose stereo, wireless device charger, in-built satnav, heated faux-leather steering wheel and plenty of active safety and driver aids.
Nissan covers the Qashqai with a five-year/unlimited km warranty. A capped price servicing program costs a reasonable $2007 if you pre-pay at purchase time, although intervals are short at 12 months/10,000km.
VERDICT 3/5
A classy offering inside and out but it’s expensive and not as efficient as rivals.
NISSAN QASHQAI Ti E-POWER
PRICE: About $56,000 drive-away
ENGINE: 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine and electric motor, 140kW and 330Nm
WARRANTY/SERVICING: Five years/unlimited km, $2007 over five years
SAFETY: Seven airbags, auto emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control
THIRST: 5.2L/100km
SPARE: Repair kit
LUGGAGE: 452 litres
Originally published as 2024 Nissan Qashqai Ti e-power new car review
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