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Pros: Smooth, powerful, practical.
Cons: Full digital cabin tech not standard, average boot space.
Nissan Qashqai e-Power Design
The third generation Qashqai has matured into a handsome crossover. The styling is sharp with Nissan’s new ‘V-motion’ grille at the front and a few simple lines and creases to bring the whole look together. There are some subtle styling between the Qashqai mild hybrid and the Qashqai e-Power, namely a few badges and a stylish gloss black strip across the top of the grille.
There are a range of trim levels available for the Qashqai e-Power but it comes with a high specification as standard, including 18-inch alloy wheels for a more dynamic look.
Nissan Qashqai e-Power Interior
The Qashqai’s cabin has a simple and minimalist design that makes it easy to navigate. Even the ventilation controls are old school buttons and dials, which are much easier to operate than having these functions embedded in a touchscreen. The quality is also very good, with lots of soft touch padding in the dashboard and doors. For the full digital experience, the SV Premium is the one to have as it adds Nissan’s digital instrument cluster, 12-inch touchscreen and wireless smartphone charging. Other standard features include a parking camera, dual zone automatic climate control and a full suite of safety equipment.
When it comes to practicality, the Qashqai scores well. The rear doors open to almost 90-degrees, which makes it easier to fix child seats. There’s plenty of legroom, though headroom is less generous for taller adults. There’s 504 litres of boot space, which is not class-leading but will be well capable of family life. A powered tailgate is also available. The false floor can be used as a handy divider or to create a flat loading sill.
Nissan Qashqai e-Power Performance & Drive
Nissan’s innovative e-Power hybrid uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine as a generator to charge a small capacity battery on board. The battery powers the electric motor to turn the wheels, so the engine is never driving the wheels. With 190hp, the Qashqai e-Power has more power than the Qashqai petrol mild hybrid and it feels it on the road. CO2 emissions are also lower and it promises better fuel efficiency.
Behind the wheel, the single gear automatic transmission offers a quiet, smooth and responsive drive. The Qashqai has good road manners, always feeling agile and well-insulated. It’s comfortable by class standards, with just a touch of firmness over bumps and ruts in the road surface.
While we failed to match official consumption figures, we did see consumption as low as 6 litres per 100 kilometres. ‘One pedal’ driving using mostly the accelerator is also possible through Nissan’s e-Pedal Step. There’s also an EV mode button, that offers a few kilometres of driving with just the energy stored in the battery before the engine kicks in again.
Nissan Qashqai e-Power Pricing
The Qashqai e-Power range starts from €42,000 for the SV trim, from €45,900 for the SV Premium, from €48,900 for the SV Tech and from €51,900 for the SVE.
Carzone Verdict
The Nissan Qashqai is one of Ireland’s favourite family cars and has been for many years. The e-Power hybrid is a good option for the Qashqai, offering a smooth and refined drive, while being reasonably efficient too.