Nissan Qashqai N-Design e-POWER 2WD review

“To SUV or not to SUV? That
is the question. The answer,
particularly if we’re talking about
Nissan’s best-selling and sharply
dressed SUV, the evergreen
Qashqai, is a definite Yes...”

Why? Well, in no particular order: all-round family-friendliness; and the fact that at a time when Big Brother is doing its utmost to force you to buy the all-electric cars that you either don't want or don't fit with your lifestyle, the Qashqai offers motorists a democratic choice of full hybrid or pure petrol powerplants.

To the above you can add an ideal size for today's crowded roads, stylishly rugged looks, a high-riding stance that makes it safe and relaxing to drive in traffic as well as a doddle to load and belt-up smaller children in the rear passenger seats. All benefits of the 'urban crossover' body style Nissan are credited with coming up with ahead of anyone else — a format that has since become the dominant car body shape.

In the UK one in every three new cars bought is an SUV — given its ease of use and practicality, it's surprising that it's not every two out of three!

“The interior is smart
and tactile. Quality-wise,
these latest Qashqai
models exude premium
vibes courtesy of fine fit
and finish along with
upscale trim and
Alcantara/quilted leather
upholstery and classy
finishing. The result
is a cabin that feels
much better built than
many of its rivals...”

The icing on the Qashqai cake has to be its smooth and efficient e-POWER hybrid system, developed in-house by the Japanese carmaker. This uses a three-pot 1.5-litre petrol-drinking engine solely in a 'generator' role to feed the battery which powers the electric motor that drives the front wheels. The result is NO plugging-in — not ever — while enjoying the smooth and effortless performance of a pure electric car. And, for many drivers, the Qashqai's biggest 'plus': absolutely NO range anxiety.

The interior is smart and tactile. Quality-wise, these latest Qashqai models exude premium vibes courtesy of fine fit and finish along with upscale trim and Alcantara/quilted leather upholstery and classy finishing. The result is a cabin that feels much better built than many of its rivals.

The superior 'Master and Commander' driving position affords excellent views out, made even better by supportive and comfortable seats with powered adjustment and lumbar support, and a good-to-grip multifunction steering wheel.

What many drivers will cheer is Nissan's refusal to give in to the irrational and irritating trend for operate most everything via a touchscreen. Sure there's plenty of tech-on-demand in the Qashqai = but for the right things. So, wherever physical switchgear and buttons work better than jabbing distractedly at a touchscreen you'll find them: on the steering wheel, doors and, most sensibly, to operate the climate control as well as appreciated providing touchscreen function shortcuts. In a Qashqai, common sense rules; everything is logically laid out so whatever you need, whenever you need it, can be found and used in a flash.

Visibility is first class too, with front and side views as good as it gets for the driver and passengers. A clever surround-view camera system ensures manoeuvring and parking, even in the tightest of places, remains a doddle. In fact, it even allows you to 'see' from the driver's seat what's beneath the Qashqai's nose!

Infotainment, built-in navigation and connectivity are top-rate and present all the essentials including standard-fit Google features with Google Maps to enhance navigation, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa for intelligent and easy-to-use voice control. The 12.3-inch central touchscreen comes with sharp graphics and, like the 12.3-inch digital dial display directly ahead of the driver, makes driving anywhere so much more relaxing. Wireless phone charging is standard-fit as too is Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto connectivity, along with front and rear USB-Cs. The sound quality of the standard stereo is fine — there's an optional Bose setup for audiophiles.

In addition to the above N-Design models also have dual-zone climate control, keyless start, head-up display, privacy glass, powered driver's seat with electric lumbar adjustment, wireless smartphone charging, surround view camera system, panoramic glass roof, quilted leather and Alcantara upholstery, ambient lighting, powered tailgate, adaptive LED headlights, LED rear lights, two-tone paint and 20-inch alloy wheels along with a vast array of safety aids. And Yes, unlike on many rivals, the Qashqai gets a spare wheel as standard!

“The Qashqai e-POWER
drives and feels more
like an electric car,
with oodles of low-down
urge. Whenever you
need to up the pace,
simply press down
more firmly on the
accelerator and
the electric motor will
serve up the same
seamless on-demand
power you’d get
in a full-blown EV...”

In-cabin storage is practical and includes a real-world glovebox, two-stage cubby capped by the front centre armrest, a pair of centre console cupholders, a tray and charging bed for your smartphone and usable door bins.

If you like your journeys to be unruffled and stress-free you'll find the Qashqai e-POWER especially enjoyable. That's partly down to the electric motor tasked with powering the driven wheels: the three-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine's role is as a dedicated generator charging the battery.

Which accounts for why the Qashqai e-POWER drives and feels more like an electric car with oodles of low-down urge. Whenever you need to up the pace, simply press down more firmly on the accelerator and the electric motor will serve up the same seamless on-demand power you'd get in a full-blown EV.

For the record, at a steady motorway cruise or when pootling around town just using the power from the electric motor, the combustion engine will either be off or running at low revs while charging up the battery; in either case it's acceptably muted to a background hum.

Driving in urban zones, electric-only mode can be maintained for quite a while before the petrol engine kicks in to boost the battery. There's also regen braking, which can be firmed up to suit your personal driving style. Activating 'e-Pedal' mode lets you accelerate and brake using just one pedal (the accelerator) in sub-30mph city traffic.

Full hybrid e-POWER Qashqai models are two-wheel drive; those wanting four-wheel drive can opt for the 1.3-litre pure petrol mild hybrid model (which also offers the option of a CVT automatic gearbox).

There are countless reasons for the Qashqai's evergreen popularity. Topping the list is that it really is nice to drive. Controls — pedals and steering wheel — are light so manoeuvring in narrow streets and tight spaces is a breeze, as too is jockeying in bumper-to-bumper school-run traffic. Equally reassuring, when you're fully laden and whizzing down the motorway for the family staycation, the Qashqai feels confident and reassuring.

Handling is positive, too, the Qashqai serving up plenty of grip and trustworthy dynamics even when hauling a full load. An accommodating ride (despite our N-Design test car rolling on large 20-inch alloys wearing 235/45 rubber) and the accomplished petrol-electric powertrain combine to deliver a premium feel to the Qashqai driving experience in all circumstances and under all conditions.

Also good to know that, even if you ever over-egg it, the Qashqai's safety assist technology has your back. Along with a top five-star Euro NCAP rating, there's automatic emergency braking with both pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, driver attention monitoring and traffic sign recognition.

You also get Nissan's ProPilot that can keep the Qashqai in the centre of your lane on faster roads while team-working with adaptive cruise control for less stressful high-mile journeys. Another much-appreciated feature is that you can save which assist features you'd prefer not to use (lane keep assist and auto stop-start are usual choices) and with the press of a button the system will make sure they aren't switched on every time you start the car.

“One of the Qashqai’s
many much-appreciated
features is that you
can save which driver
assist features you’d
prefer not to use
(lane keep assist and
auto stop-start are usual
choices) and with the
press of a button
the system will make
sure they aren’t
switched on every time
you start the car...”

As already mentioned, the Qashqai is the 'right' size, occupying a fairly compact 4,425mm by 1,835mm rectangle of blacktop. Good news, particularly when parking up. On the inside your passengers certainly won't be complaining, especially anyone riding shotgun where even six-footers will be able to relax and stretch out. With a rooftop that's 1,625mm above the road there's decent headroom even with the panoramic glass roof. More good news for both the driver and their passenger: ample space between the front seats ensures no elbow clashes.

Second row passenger will appreciate the easy access through the wide-opening rear doors. Headroom in the back is fine and there's ample legroom to ensure a pleasant trip on long journeys. A centre armrest with cupholders, a pair of USB-C ports, and door bins that will take big bottles and some pockets on the front seatbacks up the convenience score.

Luggage capacity is generous — the N-Design model we've been driving provides 479 litres, accessed easily via the Qashqai's wide tailgate opening. Usefully, the boot can be divided widthways into two separate sections. Great if you're carrying, for example, shopping with mixed items such as tins and bottles as well as delicate items. The fold-flat back seats are split 60:40 and maxing-out the load bay takes seconds. There's some extra storage underfloor too.

The Qashqai is a dependable, practical all-rounder. With its comfortable classy interior. it also offers a likeable blend of performance and efficiency. Plus its e-POWER full hybrid self-charging system delivers a fluent EV-like driving experience, with brisk performance and 50+mpg fuel economy. You'll love it! ~ MotorBar

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