OptionsCar reviews - Nissan - Qashqai - e-powerNissan modelsOverviewWe like Makes for a smoother drive experience than petrol CVT model, surprisingly quiet at times, good space utilisation by design, loaded with features in this top-spec’ Ti trim Room for improvement Premium is too rich for a slight improvement in consumption, ride is less composed than petrol models, only available in top-spec’ trim for now, no spare wheel More power, better efficiency and a smoother drive - but it comes at an inordinate cost14 Mar 2024 Overview
NISSAN has taken a different path when it comes to electrification of its powertrains, with the e-Power model line-up now expanding to include the Qashqai compact SUV. And in some ways it might leave you scratching your head.
Likewise, there are minimal compromises, but not zero. The regular versions of the Qashqai come with a space-saver spare, while this car has a tyre repair kit. At least, though, there’s the same 55-litre fuel tank capacity (allowing up to almost 1000km of range based on the official numbers), and the boot space is actually larger than any other Qashqai at 452 litres.
Now, while you could call it a hybrid of sorts, the Qashqai e-Power model (similar to its bigger brother, the X-Trail e-Power), only uses its petrol engine to work as a generator to help power an electric motor.
There are three drive modes - Normal, Sport and Eco - and Nissan’s “e Pedal Step”, which acts as a single-pedal driving mode using the regenerative braking system, but won’t bring the car to a complete stop.
More on the driving stuff soon, but the fact this is based on the Ti grade means you’re getting a lengthy list of standard specs, such as 19-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lighting, keyless entry and push-button start, electric tailgate, quilted leather trim inside the cabin, a pair of 12.3-inch screens (with infotainment incorporating wired/wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto), sat nav, a 10.8-inch head-up display, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, electric seat adjust and a panoramic sunroof.
There’s also all the safety spec’ you can get in a Qashqai, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and junction detection, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control with steering assistance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear AEB, and a surround view camera that is supplemented by front, side and rear parking sensors and a semi-autonomous parking system.
The Ti e-Power model also adds Active Noise Cancellation to help negate the noise from the petrol engine, an exterior alert sound for pedestrians at low speeds, and a very slightly different “Premium” grille. This version also sees a significant rework of the suspension to cope with the extra weight, and that’s not necessarily to the e-Power’s advantage…
As for ownership, the e-Power still has the same five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty for the vehicle, and an eight-year battery warranty guaranteeing 70 per cent state of charge. There’s capped-price servicing but maintenance is due every 12 months/10,000km (5000km shorter than the petrol model’s intervals), and the cost depends on if you pay as you go (average $446 over five years) or prepay ($401 avg). You get five years’ roadside assistance, too.
Driving impressions
Nissan’s claims that this is a smoother drive experience are grounded in reality: it simply is more seamless than the 1.3-turbo-and-CVT auto, which in its own right is a pretty decent powertrain.
What isn’t as smooth is the ride, with “every tuneable part” having been modified, including dampers, springs, anti-roll bars and bushes, to cope with the extra weight. And while it’s been a while since I last tested a Qashqai, the abruptness of the suspension and its overly eager rebounding after bumps isn’t something I’ve witnessed in the petrol models.
It feels a bit more roly-poly in corners too. And while I wouldn’t label it ‘uncomfortable’, the overall chassis feel isn’t as good as the non-e-Power models. At least it steers well, and there’s decent on-road noise refinement.
Further to that, if you’re after an EV-like drive, it does tick the box, especially if you use the e-Pedal Step system – I did, and found that while it can be quite assertive in its deceleration, it does add that “I’m helping my battery!” factor.
Of course, the biggest consideration for buyers may actually be whether it’s fuel efficient enough, given the extra asking price. Read moreAll car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen |
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