Love it or hate it, the Nissan Qashqai has been an automotive icon in recent years, helping to kickstart the exceptionally lucrative crossover segment in Europe and other markets.
The third-generation Nissan Qashqai is set to launch in South Africa in the third quarter of 2022, featuring conventional petrol engines, but Nissan will expand on that early next year with the e-Power hybrid version.
First launched in 2016 in Japan, the Qashqai is Nissan’s first ‘e-Power’ model in Europe and uses a different set-up than other hybrids on the market. That’s because rather than running either on petrol or electric, this system uses the petrol engine as the way of generating electricity, helping to make it drive more like an EV. In fact, Nissan strongly reckons the Qashqai e-Power will be the ‘last car before someone goes electric’.
This electric motor is then the sole power source driving the wheels, which does make it quite different to other hybrids on the market. Powertrain aside, there aren’t too many differences, though the e-Power benefits from the new, larger touchscreen that’s recently been rolled out across the rest of the Qashqai line-up.
What’s under the bonnet?
Mild-hybrid Qashqais use a 1.3-litre petrol engine, but a new 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol is adopted for the e-Power. Combined with an inverter and electric motor, the total output is 140kW and 330Nm of torque, which is delivered to the front wheels. If you want an all-wheel drive, you’ll need to stick with the regular mild-hybrid.
It’s by far the swiftest Qashqai on sale, with 0-60mph taking 7.7 seconds, and it’s able to accelerate to a top speed of 169km/h. We suspect the efficiency gains will be of more interest to customers, though, and Nissan claims up to 4.4 l/100km and CO2 emissions of 119g/km. With a big sales target for the Qashqai being fleet, those reduced CO2 emissions will be welcome (the regular car emits around 145g/km).
What’s it like to drive?
Nissan’s pledge to make the Qashqai feel more like an EV is far from just marketing, as for the bulk of the time it does feel like you are driving something electric. It’s relatively responsive (if not quite so much as a conventional EV) and feels particularly quiet on the move as well. Really put your toe down and the engine does make itself heard, however.
The e-Power also carries over Nissan’s ‘e-Pedal’ from its Leaf EV, essentially a sharp regenerative braking system that lets you drive it for the most part with just a single pedal; as you ease off the accelerator pedal the car automatically slows down and that adds to the ‘electric’ experience. Nissan’s ‘ProPilot’ semi-autonomous driving features also really take the stress and hassle out of busy and congested traffic, with its systems being among the best on the market.
What’s it like inside?
One of the main steps up on this latest Qashqai is its interior, and it certainly feels like a welcome leap upmarket, if not quite encroaching on premium territory. The material quality is good, particularly on the top-spec cars, which get quilted leather seats and additional leather elements on the door cards, for example.
The new 12.3-inch touchscreen is a welcome improvement too, giving the cabin a more modern feel, and though not the best system on the market, it’s easy to use and clear.
The Qashqai also continues to excel when it comes to interior space, with a generous size boot and decent levels of rear-seat space. The legroom in the back isn’t all that fantastic, however.
VERDICT
The addition of this e-Power hybrid powertrain is certainly welcome in the Nissan Qashqai, bringing a more pleasant driving experience and reduced running costs compared to the standard car. With generous equipment levels and a smart design, it could prove a great choice for those looking for something electrified that isn’t quite ready for an EV.
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Info found on https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/
