Nissan Qashqai Ti-L e-Power review: extended ambition

The Qashqai was a groundbreaking model for Nissan at launch back in 2006: a true urban SUV with the focus on a FWD powertrain (although AWD was offered as an option in some markets).

We're now in the third generation of the Qashqai, with a mid-life facelift just introduced into New Zealand.

And there's a big change for our market: it's now e-Power hybrid only. You can no longer buy a conventional combustion version.

On the outside: what are the Nissan Qashqai Ti-L's main design features?

At 4.4 metres in length, the Qashqai is definitely a compact-SUV. Remember that when we get to talking about price and rivals a bit later on.

At $62,990, the Qashqai Ti-L is just $2k cheaper than the next-size-up X-Trail Ti-L e-Power AWD.

The Qashqai was facelifted back in 2024, but the changes have taken quite a while to reach us here in New Zealand. You'll know the revised model by its new frontal styling, which is dominated by "comma"-shaped styling elements. No really, that's what Nissan says: the little ticks kind of float in the geometrical grille, with more commas incorporated in the lights front and rear.

Our test car is the top Ti-L version, which is dressed up with fancy 20-inch alloys, panoramic glass roof and a luxury-car equipment list on the inside.

But it's worth noting there's also a new sister N-Design model, which has techy-looking alloys, more body-colour trim on the exterior and gloss-black mirror caps and roof rails. It's the same $62,990 price as the Ti-L and definitely looks more striking, although you miss out on the Ti-L's false boot floor, Bose audio, massage front chairs, power passenger seat and leather upholstery accents (the N-Design's trim is synthetic). 

Nissan says the Qashqai N-Design is a limited-run launch model. How limited, we don't know; it's a regular part of the range in some other markets.

OVERVIEW

On the inside: what's the Nissan Qashqai Ti-L cabin like?

The Ti-L cabin is really quite posh for a small SUV, with faux-suede trim elements on the dashboard and console storage box/armrest, and comfortable seats with quilted stitching and real leather accents.

The steering wheel buttons for audio and ProPilot adaptive cruise control are proper clicky ones, as are the centre-console dials for climate control.

The equipment list is also pretty impressive: heated steering wheel, heated seats with full power-adjustment, massage-function and memory for the driver, customisable ambient lighting, premium Bose audio with wireless phone projection, and hands-free lock/unlock as you walk away or approach.

There's a good blend of physical and digital controls, and in some cases the choice of either: for example, the massage seats can be activated by a button on the seat squab or via the infotainment screen, which is where you'll find the configurable settings for massage-type and intensity.

The steering wheel buttons for audio and ProPilot adaptive cruise control are proper clicky ones, as are the centre-console dials for climate control. The new Qashqai retains Nissan's somewhat odd activation system for cruise: you have to press a blue button to tell the car you want to make it available (yeah, like it's something really special) and then, only then, can you set the adaptive cruise.

Qashqai has always punched above its exterior length with generous passenger space front and rear. The boot is decent at 452 litres and the Ti-L is the only model to have the "luggage board system", basically a two-piece false floor whose individual bits can also act as partitions.

Pretty neat actually, although in gaining that (and an extra 48 litres over the Ti/N-Design), you lose the spare wheel.

INTERIOR

On the road: what's the Nissan Qashqai Ti-L like to drive?

The Qashqai is now exclusively e-Power, um, powered for NZ. It's the latest 3rd-generation version of the technology (a step on from that used in X-Trail), featuring "5-in1" packaging of the motor, generator, inverter, increaser and reducer into a single unit.

The petrol engine never drives the wheels: it's just there to make electricity for the motor, the advantage being it can run at a more optimum/efficient speed.

The redesigned 3-cylinder engine also employs "strong tumble and appropriately stretched robust ignition channel" (Starc) combustion, resulting in 42% thermal efficiency. Nissan is rumoured to have spent as much time working out the cool acronym as it did on the engineering.

The new e-Power setup is claimed to be more refined, more efficient and just... better. The Qashqai is front-drive only of course, unlike the AWD X-Trail. Power in Normal mode is 140kW, but the Qashqai's Sport setting now ups it to 1kW more than the larger SUV: 151kW.

Nissan's e-Power technology works as a range-extender. The 3-cylinder petrol engine never drives the wheels: it's just there to make electricity for the e-motor, the advantage being it can run at a more optimum/efficient speed, instead of having to respond instantly to the driver.

It's not an especially sporting driving experience. The petrol engine fires up at odd times and the soundtrack is often out-of-synch with the driving situation. Qashqai steers and handles competently, but the FWD chassis doesn't have the dynamic flair of the larger X-Trail, with its clever and fast-acting e-4orce electric AWD system.

But treat the Qashqai Ti-L as a little luxury vehicle (that's certainly the vibe it gives off) and e-Power plays a key role in making it an ultra-refined ride. The Nissan has a relatively big battery for a non-plug-in hybrid (2.1kWh), which means it can cruise along in EV mode for decent stretches. At motorway speeds, it's often hard to hear the little 3-pot engine running anyway.

Part of Nissan's aim with e-Power is to give an EV driving experience without having to plug in. Qashqai offers a pushbutton one-pedal driving mode if you like extra regen to slow you down, as well as an electric-only drive mode - although that can only be sustained for short distances, so probably best to let the car do the calculations.

And the fuel economy can indeed be excellent. Drive considerately (not especially carefully, even) and you'll be in the 4l-bracket. We did a quick 300km of mostly motorway driving on one outing without any real regard for eco-driving, and still got 4.8l/100km.

SPECIFICATIONS

On ownership: what's the Nissan Qashqai Ti-L warranty and servicing situation?

Nissan NZ offers a 10-year/300,000km vehicle warranty, providing it's serviced at an authorised dealer. The Qashqai requires servicing every 12 months/15,000km.

On the whole: what do we think of the Nissan Qashqai Ti-L?

The Qashqai Ti-L is a super-economical, luxurious and well-sorted small hatchback. On a practical level, it's hard to fault.

But the price seems crazy. At $62,990, the Qashqai Ti-L is just $2k cheaper than the next-size-up X-Trail Ti-L e-Power AWD. Okay, not everybody wants a car of the X-Trail's size; but one that's ostensibly the same specification but a lot smaller and with one less e-motor should be substantially less expensive, surely?

Nissan Qashqai Ti-L FAQs

What kind of car is the Nissan Qashqai Ti-L?

A 5-door compact SUV.

Does the Nissan Qashqai Ti-L have hybrid or EV technology?

It's an e-Power range extender, with 100% electric drive but using the petrol engine as a range-extender. You don't plug it in.

What’s the fuel economy of the Nissan Qashqai Ti-L?

The official 3P-WLTP figure is 4.1l/100km.

Is the Nissan Qashqai Ti-L safe?

There's no current ANCAP rating. It gets 5 stars under NZ's VSRR.

What safety and assistance features does the Nissan Qashqai Ti-L have?

What are the Nissan Qashqai Ti-L's main rivals?

• Toyota C-HR GR Sport ($59,990): This money buys you the C-HR with everything, including AWD.
• Honda ZR-V LX ($55,900): Top-specification ZR-V has similar range-extender tech to Qashqai.
• Hyundai Kona hybrid Limited N Line ($59,990): Top-spec version of petrol-electric Kona.
• Peugeot 2008 GT hybrid ($49,990): Stylish, sporty 2008 GT is an unsung hero at this price point.
• Lexus LBX Active ($59,990): Much smaller than Qashqai, but we're talking a full luxury brand now.