e-Power Qashqai offers a novel stepping stone to electric driving, writes James Stinson
The Nissan Qashqai is widely credited with creating and popularising the ‘crossover’ type cars that are all around us today. Nissan has sold more than four million worldwide and 750,000 in the UK alone.
The latest version, which was given a refresh last year including a new front grille, tweaks to the trim levels as well as some digital upgrades, remains among the best sellers. And it’s easy to see why. It’s eye catching, up-to-date and competitively priced.
It remains though, a conventional car. Sales are still heavily skewed towards petrol-hybrid models which can feel a bit dated. That’s not exclusive to Nissan or the Qashqai. Petrol and diesel-powered cars just offer a different driving experience to newer electric models.
Electric cars feel more modern, like the latest smartphone. From a driving perspective, they’re certainly more fun to drive in and around town. They zip out of junctions in a way that makes petrol and diesel cars feel laboured.
So why aren’t we all driving electric cars? Well, some buyers are still put off by the price. Electric cars usually cost more. Some are still concerned about range and if you haven’t got a driveway and can’t charge at home, relying on still scarce public chargers can be a real pain.
If you are afflicted by some or all of these concerns, then the Nissan Qashqai e-Power may be the answer. This mix of petrol and electric-powered propulsion differs from other models in the Qashqai range because its 1.5 petrol engine provides electricity for electric motors that drive the wheels.
Because the wheels are only ever driven directly by an electric motor, unlike traditional hyrbids, the e-Power Qashqai delivers the sensation of driving an EV with no need to plug in and charge.
Nissan says it’s a “perfect solution” for those customers “seeking advanced and efficient technology” but who are not quite ready to make the switch to a 100% electric car. For short distances, it will even drive in EV mode only.
An improved e-Power version has just been released which is quieter, more efficient and slightly more powerful while the cost of buying one remains unchanged on most grades – falling slightly on two.
Fuel efficiency on the latest model has increased 15% to 62.8 mpg, giving a potential range of 745 miles. CO₂ emissions have decreased from 116g/km to 102g/km – a 12% reduction compared with the current iteration, which in turn means a lower VED banding.
Power has increased by 11kW to 151kW (up from 188bhp to 201bhp) in Sport Mode, with the 0-62mph time falling to 7.6 seconds. It’s also quieter and more refined.
Prices for the cheapest e-Powered Qashqai in Acenta Premium trim start at £34,860, the same as the outgoing model. By comparison, conventional petrol-powered hybrid Qashqais start at around £30,000. It’s a hefty premium but some will no doubt be won over by the novel electric-like driving experience without the hassle of ever having to go near a charger.