The new Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power small SUV is a hybrid done differently – but is it better? We plan to find out over the next few months.
For one reason or another, many Australians intend to move toward zero-emissions vehicles in 2024. But while the intention is there, going fully electric isn’t the simplest prospect.
There’s a disconnect for some Australians whereby electric cars are available and they’re great at what they set out to do, but whether it be the relatively sparse roll-out of fast chargers, the cost of electric vehicles themselves, or the inconvenience of waiting for a charge – they simply don’t suit every buyer’s use case today.
By far, the most attractive alternative is the petrol-electric hybrid. Toyota is the titan in this department; you only have to look as far as the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid’s wait list to appreciate that fact.
But there’s more than one way of going hybrid and reducing your fuel use. Nissan is an alternative that uses a different method called a series hybrid system. It differs from a conventional hybrid because the petrol engine doesn’t power the wheels.
Unlike a parallel hybrid system, which powers the wheels using both an electric motor and an internal combustion motor, Nissan’s e-Power system uses a petrol engine to charge a battery, which in turn powers an electric motor that drives the wheels.
No doubt, it’s a roundabout technology with the same end goal, but there are distinct differences between Nissan’s technology and the type of hybrid systems seen with rivals like the Hyundai Kona Hybrid or Toyota’s Corolla Cross Hybrid.
| Key details | 2024 Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power |
| Engine | 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol hybrid |
| Power | 140kW @ 4500–7500rpm |
| Torque | 330Nm @ 0–3000rpm |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
| Transmission | Single-speed |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 81kW/t |
| Weight | 1728kg |
| Spare tyre type | Tyre repair kit |
| Payload | 452kg (estimated) |
| Tow rating | 750kg braked 750kg unbraked |
| Turning circle | 11.1m |
Nissan’s e-Power is said to offer a more EV-like driving experience because an electric motor powers the wheels. But how does the e-Power system fare in terms of fuel efficiency? That’s the ultimate goal with hybrids – whether it’s for environmental benefits or to reduce running costs.
With that in mind, Drive has adopted a Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power for long-term testing.
We’re already big fans of the Nissan Qashqai, as evidenced by the car’s 2023 Drive Car of the Year Best Small SUV category win. Our pick of the range is the Qashqai ST-L variant that offers a good balance of equipment, uses nice materials, and won’t break the bank.
Our typical ‘long-term test’ process is to absorb the car into our daily life and report each month on its performance. But we’ve already published a number of Nissan Qashqai reviews focused on the day-to-day routine, so we wanted to do something different.
This time around, we’re going the experiential route. Over the next few months, we’ll subject ‘our’ Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power to some intense road trips, some with couples, some with families, to find out how this hybrid-powered small SUV copes with the extracurricular elements of Australian life.
Some trips will stay within Victoria, and others will cross state boundaries, as we take on the kinds of road-trip holidays Aussies love. We’ll also provide all the details of what we did and what we saw, so you can adopt elements into your next road trip.
We will report on the Qashqai’s performance without fear or favour. And we will keep a close eye on the Qashqai Ti e-Power’s fuel economy.
The first road trip on the agenda is a four-up family escape around Tasmania, including a day trip on the Spirit of Tasmania. Before we begin, though, let’s recap the basics of the Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power.
The e-Power hybrid variant was released in Australia in March 2024 and is priced from $51,590 before on-road costs. That’s very pricey for a small SUV – more than rivals such as the Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos Hybrid FWD ($47,030 plus ORCs) and the Hyundai Kona Hybrid Premium N Line ($46,500 plus ORCs).
Unfortunately, the electrified powertrain is only available on the top-spec Ti model grade. But we have heard that the tech could be made more affordable on lower-grade variants in the future, much like the Nissan X-Trail ST-L e-Power.
There are not many ways to pick a Qashqai Ti e-Power on the street – aside from an extra strip of plastic along the top of the grille and some e-Power badging down the side and on the boot.
But on the plus side, being a flagship Ti specification, our car comes with a host of goodies. These include twin 12.3-inch displays running infotainment and digital instrumentation, a 10-speaker Bose sound system, a hands-free power tailgate, ambient lighting, and semi-auto parking assist.
It also gets a big panoramic glass roof, though it can’t be opened.
Compared to other Nissan Qashqais, which run a 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine (110kW/250Nm), the e-Power uses a bigger engine (1.5-litre) but with fewer cylinders (three-cylinder).
But we’re more interested in the electric motor. It provides 140kW/330Nm to the front wheels through a single-speed automatic transmission.
This electric motor is powered by a 2.1kWh battery that, in turn, is powered by the petrol motor. This means the petrol engine’s activity under the bonnet doesn’t always correspond to throttle inputs.
In our short time with the car so far, the engine can randomly flare with revs and it’s a surprise when the car is at slow suburban speeds. It’s just the petrol engine providing juice to the electric battery.
Nissan says the Qashqai Ti e-Power returns a fuel consumption of 5.2 litres per 100 kilometres on a combined cycle. As of right now, we’re seeing a fuel rating of 5.6L/100km, slightly up compared to the claim.
We’ll be watching that number with close interest as we spend more time with the model. I’m interested in finding out whether the Nissan fares better on rural roads or around town and in traffic too.
We’re already impressed with the level of space on offer inside the cabin. The Qashqai feels big for a small SUV, and the materials used inside the cabin are premium-feeling compared to its competitors.
| 2024 Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power | |
| Seats | Five |
| Boot volume | 452L seats up 1518L seats folded |
| Length | 4425mm |
| Width | 2084mm |
| Height | 1625mm |
| Wheelbase | 2665mm |
I’m keen to hear how my – and my colleagues’ – families fit into the second row. It’s got a wide door opening that makes access a cinch, but I’m not too sure about leg room just yet – especially when there’s more than one person back there.
It’s got a sizeable 452-litre boot capacity, but unique to the Ti model grade is Nissan’s Divide-N-Hide adaptable storage system. It allows the boot floor to be compartmentalised so that luggage or items don’t fly around the cavity while on the go. I wonder if that’s simply a gimmick or becomes useful throughout our time with the car.
In full honesty, I attended this vehicle’s launch last month and came away pretty impressed. The driving experience was really smooth and remarkably quiet – like what you’d expect in some electric vehicles.
It’s got a firmer ride quality than some other small SUVs, but this means it’s a pretty handy thing to steer around back roads – even with its portly 1728kg weight.
The only thing I wasn’t sold on was its price and its fuel efficiency. It’s a few thousand dollars more expensive than other hybrid small SUVs and doesn’t seem to offer the same low fuel consumption.
I’m keen to find out if the rest of the Drive team share my thoughts. Please keep an eye on our Advice section for the feature stories we develop using this Nissan Qashqai.
If you have questions about the Qashqai e-Power, or anything you’d like us to explore in more detail, leave a comment below and we’ll do our best to answer your questions throughout our coverage.
The post 2024 Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power: Long-term introduction appeared first on Drive.
