LAOIS MOTORING: New Nissan Qashqai e-Power is very impressive

I road test some 60 new cars a year from every segment of the market.

So you can imagine I am not easily impressed. However occasionally a car comes along that really gets my attention. Something different, something apart from the mundane, something that embraces a new technological solution to reducing our carbon emissions without the hysterical rush to EV’s. The manufacturer that got my attention this time is Nissan with their e-power Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail.

This week I have spent some 600km behind the wheel of the new Nissan Qashqai SVE e-power and I have come away very impressed!

First Impressions

It’s not a show stopper in the style department but rather a clever evolution of the previous design. I like the slim new LED head Matrix headlights and the new design to the rear. This new Qashqai won’t stand out from the crowded SUV segment but it does look smart.

What’s it like inside?

Nissan’s designers seem to have been a bit more brave here and as a result the interior of the new Qashqai is really very impressive. Two tone quilted leather  upholstery, judicious use of piano black and aluminium trim and a cabin that is just about perfect in its design and layout make this a very nice place to be for driver and passengers alike.

An excellent configurable digital dash which allows analogue style round instruments which looks classy and a host of high tech driver aid make the new Qashqai at the forefront of this segment. The central touch screen works well and the graphics are good but great praise must go to Nissan for giving us real buttons to operate the climate control, drive modes and heated seats.

Standard equipment is equally impressive the SVE version , highlights include a head up display, wireless charging, panoramic glass roof, wireless Apple Car play, Wifi for seven devices, and some other nice touches such as massaging front, heated steering wheel and heated front seats.

Accommadation is good if not generous but it will seat four in comfort and five at a squeeze. The boot accessed via the electric rear tailgate is a decent size too.

What’s under the bonnet?

This is the the unique feature of the new Qashqai. Nissan call it e-power. Basically a 1.5 litre 3 cylinder petrol engine charges a battery (think of it as a generator) which then powers the electric motor that drives the wheels. The engine is not connected to the wheels in any way so the new Qashqai drives similar to an EV with instant torque, but as the engine and regenerative braking constantly charges the battery you never have to plug in…..ever!

No range anxiety, no searching the hopeless charging infrastructure for a charge point, yet at low speeds or around town it cruises around in full EV mode. The small engine sips fuel burning just 5.3 litres per 100km on my test giving the new Qashqai a range of about 850km. Road tax is €200 for the year.

In short I think this is a terrific technological solution. EV’s are not the silver bullet they have been portrayed to be and there is a slow realisation about that. e fuels are coming too and legislation has just been passed by the EU allowing combustion engines to live on indefinitely if powered by e fuels. Nissan’s answer to lowering emissions is excellent and deserves great praise. 

What’s it like to drive?

Uneventful may sound like faint praise but the new Qashqai e power is just that doing everything well and nothing badly. Its smooth. Quiet, comfortable and refined.

Verdict

I really like the new Qashqai e power. Its an EV type vehicle with no need to plug in! Brilliant! In addition it boasts a lovely interior, loads of standard kit and it looks well.

Prices start at €42,500 for the e power range.The SVE top of the range version tested here costs from €51,900.