Not only weeks and months have passed, but quite some time since I last got behind the wheel of a Qashqai, one of the most popular vehicles in the Nissan range.
Bringing the story right up to date though, I spent a week with an e-POWER version recently and the key to the unique and innovative powertrain is that the wheels are only ever driven directly by an electric motor, unlike traditional hybrids, helping the car deliver the sensation of driving an EV with no need to plug in and charge. This could be the answer for those drivers seeking advanced and efficient technology but who are not quite ready to make the switch to a full EV and recently I have found that more and more are reluctant to make the move to a fully electric powered car, instead I have found a high interest in hybrids. With the Qashqai e-POWER, the task of the turbocharged three-cylinder 1.5 litre engine is to generate electricity, which is sent via an inverter to either the 140kW electric motor or the 1.8kWh battery (or both, according to the driving scenario). Working in the background, it supplies the electricity in relation to the vehicle’s speed, thus avoiding any disconnect between background sound and vehicle progress. Power output is a useful 187bhp, enough to deliver rest to 100kph (62mph) in a whisker under eight seconds with a top speed of 169kph (105mph).
The e-POWER Qashqai has been available since the autumn of 2022. The claim is that e-POWER delivers much better economy than an equivalent mild hybrid vehicle. I was impressed with the on road performance, quiet and lively, in fact all round a very pleasant drive. Styling for the latest Qashqai is certainly eye-catching, bolder and more sophisticated with a re-shaped front grille, a new design of headlamps and rear bumper and to complete the package, chunky alloys. Overall in its latest guise, it is much more pleasing to the eye than earlier versions and it gets quite a helping of on road presence; something lacking with this model in earlier versions. Moving to the interior and full marks to Nissan for creating a pleasant environment for not only the driver, but for all on-board. The drive is enhanced with Qashqai with Google built in (Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play). There is profile personalisation for up to six drivers and it adapts to a variety of needs and preferences including car language, seats, radio and journey settings etc. With navigation, you press an icon on the large screen, give a where you want to go and within seconds the route unfolds and unlike other cars I have tested no need to even say “Hey Nissan”.
The Qashqai first touched tarmac back in 2006 and can claim to be one of the pioneers of the crossover. In fact the first generation model was sold as the Dualis in its native country and Australia with Qashqai used in the rest of the world. A later generation model was solid in the USA where it was rebadged as the Rogue Sport. Often I am asked the meaning of a name selected by manufacturers and usually it almost explains itself. The name Qashqai owes its name to the people who live in Central and South Western Iran.
Summing up, this is a good all-rounder and without a doubt the best Qashqai to date and one which is well equipped to compete in what is a very busy sector of the market.
Ian Lynas
