Nearly two decades on from the first model, Nissan’s Qashqai still blazes a trail, writes James Stinson.
The Nissan Qashqai is a very important motor, having been widely credited with creating and popularising the ‘crossover’ SUV type cars that are all around us today. Nissan has sold more than four million worldwide and 750,000 in the UK alone and it remains among the top three best sellers. However, competition in this segment is keener than ever. And to keep it among the contenders, the latest generation Qashqai – launched in 2022 – has been given a timely refresh.
It includes more aggressive styling, improved interior and upgraded technology. Showing where most of the innovation is taking place these days, better, more seamless connectivity is the car’s new party piece. The latest Qashqai is the first vehicle in Nissan’s European range with Google built-in as part of the NissanConnect infotainment system. It comes with Google Maps as standard and, once signed-in, with a personal Google Account, drivers can access their favourite locations and points of interest.
Google Assistant allows the driver to use their voice for hands-free help on the go. For example, drivers can say “Hey Google” to control the vehicle’s ventilation system, heated seats and windscreen or to navigate to their next destination. Additionally, drivers can make phone calls and listen to audio instructions without taking their eyes off the road. You can listen to your favourite music, podcasts, audiobooks, and more directly from the car. NissanConnect can also remind you if you’ve forgotten to lock the car or close the windows. It will warn you if the car has been tampered with or towed.
In case of suspected theft, it can be immobilized and can even notify the police. Equally, Qashqai customers with a data plan subscription can also use Amazon’s Alexa smart home system. Customers can talk to Amazon Alexa in their Qashqai. With Alexa, they can ask to play music, hear the news, check weather, control smart home devices, and more. Elsewhere, the front grille of the Qashqai has been updated to create a more striking first impression. It now consists of dozens of high gloss, three dimensional comma-shaped elements painted in high gloss black paint.
There’s also new, slimline lighting elements on the front end, including a row of daytime running lights that carry on the comma theme. At the rear, there’s no change in the shape of the lights, but the units within have been upgraded and look sharper. With further tweaks to bumpers and trim plus quirky new wheel designs, the latest Qashqai looks more imposing. Materials in the cabin have been upgraded with the new N-Design models getting a lot of plush Alcantara dash, door inserts, and arm rests.
Tekna cars have a very classy soft leather finish in the same places and there also some metallic effect plastic around the gear selector. As before, the engine choice is all hybrid, with the 1.3-litre DiG-T mildhybrid petrol unit available in two power outputs – 138bhp and 156bhp. The more powerful mild-hybrid engine is available with all-wheel drive and a choice of six-speed manual or automatic gearboxes, all other Qashqai versions are front-wheel drive only.
Entry level models deliver an official 44.8mpg. With 187bhp, the novel e-Power range extender hybrid carries most punch. e-Power cars use a 1.5-litre threecylinder engine as a generator to provide electricity for electric motors that drive the wheels, so it doesn’t need gears. Economy improves to an official 54mpg. Because the wheels are only ever driven directly by an electric motor, unlike traditional hyrbids, e-Power cars deliver 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. Prices for the latest Qashqai start from £30,135. E-Power versions cost around £2,000 more than standard hybrid models.