The New Nissan Qashqai e-Power Drives Like An EV But Doesn’t Need Charging | Review

There’s no shortage of compact SUVs in Australia or, for that matter, in much of the world these days. Among the regular mainstays like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, and Hyundai Tucson, and newer arrivals such as the MG ZST and Haval Jolion, buyers have no shortage of choice. Somewhere in that busy mix sits the Nissan Qashqai.

In its previous generation, the Qashqai was sold in North America as the Rogue Sport until Nissan ended production in late 2022, leaving the larger Rogue as its primary contender in this popular class.

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While there’s no question that Nissan has been in the news for all the wrong reasons over the past year, that doesn’t mean it’s forgotten how to build a good car. The current, third-generation Qashqai, which was introduced in 2021, ticks plenty of boxes for shoppers and impressed us when we tested it in e-Power guise last year.

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Now there’s a facelifted version, bringing sharper looks and a new flagship trim called the N-Power. While we didn’t get behind the wheel of that particular model, we did spend time with the mid-range Ti e-Power to find out whether it still holds its ground in this relentlessly competitive segment.

What’s Actually Changed?

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

The updates made to the Qashqai for 2025 aren’t huge, but they are noteworthy. The most obvious is the fitment of a new front fascia with distinctive LED headlights and a redesigned grille.

It looks a little more modern and sleek than the outgoing model, offering up a nice level of aggression without going over the top. In addition to changing the front, Nissan has tweaked the rear end, adding clear LED taillights and a new bumper.

Unfortunately, it has not made any changes to the available powertrains, which means that there are two engine options on offer. For those on a budget, Nissan sells the Qashqai with a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 110 kW (148 hp) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque and is mated exclusively to a CVT.

Then there’s the e-Power version, which is the one that we tested. As before, it comes fitted with a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder producing 115 kW (154 hp), which serves exclusively as a generator for the 2.1 kWh battery and to power the electric motor, rated at 140 kW (188 hp) and 330 Nm (243 lb-ft).

For 2025, the Qashqai range continues to start from AU$39,037 ($25,500), including all fees, for the entry-level ST and AU$43,205 ($28,200) for the ST-L, both of which are sold exclusively with the petrol engine.

Shoppers can then step up to the Ti model, which is the one we drove, available with either the 1.3-liter engine from AU$46,990 ($30,700) or AU$50,990 ($33,300) with the e-Power.

Sitting above the Ti in the family is the Ti-L, priced from AU$51,990 ($34,000) for the petrol and AU$56,990 ($37,200) for the e-Power, while positioned at the top of the range is the N-Design for AU$58,990 ($38,500) and only offered with the e-Power hybrid system.

A Familiar Cabin

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

Nissan has made very few changes to the Qashqai’s interior for 2025; not that it really needed any major upgrades anyway. In Europe, the tweaked cabin includes a new Android-based infotainment system with built-in Google Maps and Google’s personal assistant. Sadly, Aussie models don’t get these updates.

Instead, the 12.3-inch infotainment screen remains the same as the pre-facelift model, continuing to offer support for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Nissan has also retained the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster from last year, though it’s only available on the Ti, Ti-L, and N-Design models.

The fit and finish is good and does feel up to scratch for a vehicle at this price point. Our tester’s cabin was bathed in a combination of black and brown leather with white contrast stitching. The Ti-L models also get some soft-touch Alcantara across the dashboard for an extra premium feel.

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

The infotainment system is snappy enough, but it is not as good as some competitors’, like those from Hyundai and Kia. Fortunately, Nissan has retained some physical shortcut buttons and a volume knob below the screen, although I wasn’t particularly fond of the piano black plastic finish.

One part that I did like was the digital instrument panel. It offers several display modes and has heaps of settings hidden within.

Read: New Nissan SUV Drives Like An EV But Runs On Gas

Other key features include configurable ambient lighting, an 8-way adjustable driver’s seat, and a six-speaker audio system. Sadly, the latter leaves a lot to be desired. For audiophiles looking for something better, the Ti-L is a must-have, as it comes with a 10-speaker Bose system.

Overall, the cabin space in the Qashqai is good, but it’s not quite as expansive as the Toyota, Hyundai, and Kia models it’s designed to compete with. This won’t be an issue for couples who own one, but it could be a little too small for some families. In that case, the Nissan Rogue – sold as the X-Trail in Australia – would be a better option.

Smooth Operator

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

It’s no surprise that Nissan sells its e-Power hybrid powertrain in so many models. Although it isn’t a plug-in hybrid and can only travel a few miles before the engine kicks in, there’s no denying it is efficient, and it’s a pleasure to use for the daily grind.

As the petrol engine never actually drives the wheels, and instead only serves as a generator, it’s easy to forget that you’re driving a hybrid and not an EV. It’s possible to pull away in the Qashqai in complete silence, and when the engine does kick in, it remains quiet and unobtrusive.

Nissan says the Ti e-Power can sip just 4.8l/100 km (49 US mpg) in a mix of driving conditions. I wasn’t quite able to match that, but I did end my week averaging 5.3 l/100 km (44.3 US mpg), which is impressive. By comparison, I averaged 5.8 L/100 km (40.5 US mpg) in last year’s model, but that included more highway driving.

Obviously, the Qashqai e-Power isn’t a performance model, but it doesn’t feel short of power. It can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in around 8 seconds, which is more than quick enough for the type of people that will be shopping for a family SUV.

However, it’s worth mentioning to any prospective buyers out there that the engine doesn’t sound particularly pleasant when you stamp on the throttle and rev it out. It’s also down on power when compared to the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, which packs 172 kW (231 hp) and 367 Nm (271 lb-ft) of torque.

Driving the Qashqai is surprisingly enjoyable. I’m rather fond of how Nissan has tuned the steering. While it’s short on feel, just like so many new cars on the market, it’s nicely weighted and direct.

Like before, the 2025 Qashqai Ti e-Power retains an excellent regenerative braking system. While there’s no one-pedal model, the e-Pedal system can handle braking in most scenarios.

Verdict

As I suspected, the 2025 Qashqai retains the same level of appeal as the old model. It now looks more stylish and retains all of the good parts, including the excellent hybrid powertrain.

While some shoppers may be hesitant to get behind the wheel of a new Nissan amid the company’s current financial turmoil, the Qashqai is definitely worth considering. However, it fails to stand out against the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, which starts at AU$47,664 ($31,100) and tops out at AU$63,811 ($41,700).

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

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