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Pros: Practical, refined, great cabin quality.
Cons: Can get expensive, unexciting to drive.
Nissan Qashqai Design
In a bright metallic hue like Magnetic Blue, the updated Qashqai is a real head turner and manages to look even more stylish than before. There’s been quite a lot of work at the front and all for the better. It looks far more striking with a larger grille and new split LED lighting that just sits better overall. The lights blend neatly into the grille, which extends flamboyantly across the front of the car. Its comma style inserts are inspired by ancient Japanese armour, a nod to the brand’s homeland.
There are three new colours and some new alloy wheel designs to freshen things up. The rear light clusters now have clear cases and higher grades feature scrolling indicators for the first time.
Nissan Qashqai Interior
The cabin is largely the same as before, which is no bad thing as it still stands out for its solid, intuitive design and good quality materials. Higher grades now get swathes of Alcantara across the dashboard, doors, centre console and armrest, which make it feel posher. There's also new ambient lighting. All versions now get the 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument panel as standard with wired Android Auto/wireless Apple CarPlay, while SV Tech and SVE add an excellent head-up display that conveniently shows directions when using the new in-built Google Maps. Other Google apps are now available like Google Assistant and more can be downloaded. The system is easy to interact with and proper dials and buttons for the climate control prevail, which is refreshing in a mid-size family crossover. For all out luxury, the top of the range SVE really impresses with gorgeous quilted leather upholstery, heated front seats with power adjustment and massage, heated steering wheel and a Bose stereo.
The Qashqai’s rear doors open to almost 90-degrees, which makes getting in and out or fixing child seats that bit easier. Once seated there is adequate space for children or adults on the two outer seats, though legroom is impeded somewhat in the middle by the transmission tunnel. All but the entry model also come with a glass roof as standard. There’s no through loading from the boot, but the rear seats do split fold 60:40 and there’s Isofix on the two outer seats.
The Qashqai’s 504-litre boot is good but not class-leading. It does offer handy features like a two-position boot floor that can be turned over for a waterproof surface or used as a divider. A powered tailgate is also available.
Nissan Qashqai Performance & Drive
The engine line-up stays the same for the 2025 Qashqai with the range kicking off with the 1.3-litre mild hybrid petrol with choice of manual gearbox or CVT automatic. Then there’s Nissan’s innovative e-Power, which uses hybrid technology to lower carbon emissions and boost efficiency. It uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine, small capacity battery and electric motor. But unlike traditional hybrids, the engine acts as a generator and never drives the front wheels directly. This is done by the electric motor, which translates to an incredibly quiet and smooth drive. Occasionally the engine kicks into life to charge the battery but it’s never too noisy. With 190hp the e-Power is also the most powerful of the range and is very responsive to drive. Like an electric vehicle, it includes a B mode to increase the amount of regenerative braking and there’s also Nissan’s e-pedal that allows you to control it mostly with the accelerator, handy for driving in town or traffic. It’s by no means engaging to drive with quite light steering. But it’s quietly competent, comfortable and remarkably refined at speed.
Nissan quotes fuel consumption as low as 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres for this model and during our test drive we averaged 5.8 litres, which is good for a hybrid vehicle that has the convenience of not needing to be plugged in.
Nissan Qashqai Pricing
The Qashqai is priced from €39,900 for the mild hybrid petrol or from €45,000 for the e-Power. The range topping e-Power SVE we tested is available from €54,400.
Carzone Verdict
The Nissan Qashqai is still a brilliant all-rounder when you look at the practicality it offers, while the e-Power really shines for performance, refinement and efficiency. It can get pricey as you go up the trim levels, but the Qashqai is now even more stylish and well-equipped so is definitely worth a look if you’re in the market for a new family crossover.