QASH - MORE FLASH (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

The improved version of Nissan's third generation Qashqai remains the definitive, volume brand lower-mid-sized family SUV, thinks Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Reviewword count: 45

The updated version of Nissan's third generation Qashqai makes a bit more of a style statement and gets much more sophisticated media tech. Added to the electrified engineering and practicality attributes of the original MK3 model, it makes for a super-strong lower mid-sized crossover contender.

Backgroundword count: 140

It's difficult to say when the Nissan brand would be without the Qashqai model line. This is the car that sustained the company through the last decade and, though much copied, continues to be the market's definitive lower mid-sized family crossover, the original J10 version first launched in 2006, then updated with a MK2 J11 model in 2013, with the current third generation J12 design introduced in 2021. It's also to some extent a British success story, assembled in Sunderland. So why mess too greatly with a winning formula? Yet Nissan has. The car we look at here, announced in Spring 2024, isn't an all-new Qashqai but it looks like it, as fundamental a facelift as you'll ever see. The engineering and basic cabin architecture is carried over though; just repackaged for a new era. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experienceword count: 270

Nissan hasn't made any engineering changes here: it didn't need to. The full-EV version (arriving shortly) is still to come but the existing combustion powertrains were already electrified in various ways. The most affordable models use a 1.3-litre 12V mild hybrid petrol engine (co-developed with Renault and Mercedes), which comes in DIGT140 or DIGT158 forms, the latter available with the option of a 4WD system. As usual with set-ups of this sort, a small lithium-ion battery gives a fraction more mid-range punch and takes care of engine stop/start duties. The 4WD set-up features five driving modes (Standard, ECO, Sport, Snow and Off-Road) and shifts power to the rear wheels as traction requires. Handling across the range is aided by the stiff CMF-C platform. As usual with a Qashqai, there's a choice of 6-speed manual or CVT Xtronic automatic transmission. Choose the AWD variant and you have to have the auto. We should say a little about the alternative e-POWER hybrid engine too, a 1.5-litre petrol unit driving the front wheels and mated to a 140kW electric motor: the total power output is 190hp. Inevitably, it only works with auto transmission, but does so more smoothly than with the CVT autos used in some full-Hybrids thanks to a feature called 'linear tune' which ties engine speed to road speed. Nissan has also engineered in its 'i-Pedal' tech, which increases energy regeneration when you come off the throttle. This doesn't slow the car as much as it would with the company's LEAF and Ariya full-EVs, but it will mean that in normal motoring, you'll be using the brake pedal a lot less.

To see the full road test text contact us on 0330 0020 227