2024 Nissan Qashqai e-POWER Driven to Our Hepburn Spa Break

Canny old Nissan has added their fancy schmancy e-POWER hybrid system to the Qashqai range. Unlike the bigger X-Trail, Qashqai doesn’t include e-4orce AWD, sadly.

Nissan boss, Adam Paterson, outlined the plan for electrification which includes the arrival of the all-electric Ariya. Meanwhile, this clever take on hybrid drive gives Nissan an edge over its well-established hybrid competition. It isn’t the numbers that really matter, it is the feel, and Qashqai e-POWER feels like an EV.

At $4,200 above the standard Qashqai Ti, the $51,590 Qashqai Ti e-POWER adds:

e-POWER (variable compression ratio 1.5L turbo-petrol 3cyl engine, power generator, inverter and electric motor, combined system output of 140kW and 330Nm)
e-Pedal> Step
Regenerative brake
Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) system
Active Noise Cancellation
Premium front grille
e-POWER badging

It makes the frisky Qashqai e-POWER a competitor worthy of shaking existing hybrid floggers out of their soporific complacency. Like X-Trail, Qashqai e-POWER uses the hybrid systems’ electric motor to turn the front wheels. The petrol engine acts only as a generator, providing electric power to the electric motor and/or the tiny battery situated under the seat.

Unlike almost all other hybrids, Qashqai e-POWER has no transmission, making the drive more akin to an EV experience.

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ABOVE: 2024 Nissan Qashqai e-POWER – Reviewed and driven

The Drive:

My co-driver, Olga de Moeller, loves an EV feel.

We drove together at the X-Trail e-POWER launch last year. The instant torque gave the e-POWER system an edge, even if it wasn’t quite as economical as other hybrids on the road.

We set off at the crack of morning tea, departing Melbourne Airport for Daylesford’s Hotel Bellinzona at Hepburn Springs, the long way round. The fortifying coffee kicked in, making outer Melbs a little easier to cope with.

I took the wheel first, giving Olga a chance to stretch out and enjoy a nice smooth ride. However, she thought things a little too firm from her shot-gun position. She didn’t much fancy the massage function either, and as I didn’t try it, I yield to her judgement.

Steering through the gentle bends is predictable, and I’d describe Qashqai e-POWER as a gentle romp. 140kw isn’t going to set land speed records, so what Qashqai e-POWER does, it does well. Power is there when you need it, without slapping you upside the head. After all, no one likes a show-off, right?

The like most of the goodies, noise cancelling cabin technology is hidden behind a veneer of simplicity. Technology must be unobtrusive otherwise it gets in the way of enjoyment. Most settings are where you expect them to be, and a little exploration finds the rest in the main 12.3” infotainment unit. We tried the Bose sound system out, and it got my tick of approval. Olga admits to not being particular about her sound, trusting my sage opinion instead.

Fettling controls is fairly easy when on the go. Deactivating lane departure in lofty mountain passes is essential if you don’t want the car fighting you every inch of the way. That goes for all brands, regardless of the level of poshness indicated by the badge.

Entering the freeway allowed the Qashqai e-POWER to let its long legs show. The little SUV loves a long straight, whisking along in relative silence. Her quiet voice is thanks to the engine being a near-silent generator that never powers the wheels directly.

We arrived at a sleepy lake-side boat shed for lunch. For boat shed, read beautifully decorated boat-shed renovation set over water. We sat on the dockside, eating fresh local nibbles, and compared notes.

Olga thought the steering was not right, whereas I thought it was great. A small change in tyre pressure made a difference to both steering and ride on a hot and steamy day. We agreed that the nippy drivetrain’s capable handling of our differing driving styles was done with panache.

Olga is gentle. Her style is restful and flowing, in true Western Australian style. Her light foot is but a feather on the pedals

Sydney traffic on the other hand, takes no prisoners. It is relentless day and night, and you develop a frisky attitude to deal with it. My driving is a trifle more urgent, with most trips made simply for chores. There is little pleasure in battling angry motorists, so getting out of town is like a breath of fresh air, literally.

Olga’s “The West Australian” story will no doubt praise the gadgets, but we both had the odd issue getting the smart cruise control to co-operate. It takes a while to develop a feel for the minutia, especially when it comes to manipulating simple controls. In Nissan’s case, it is a little button marked by circles around a car icon. Smart cruise can then be flicked on by pressing the SET lever.

We liked the large driver and centre displays, the generous HUD, and the ease of connecting Wireless CarPlay.

Final thoughts:

Qashqai e-POWER has all the good bits of the ICE Qashqai, and adds the best bits of an EV. You can go as far as the petrol tank can carry you, with the e-POWER having the same size petrol tank as the ICE car. It has a spare tyre for good measure.

The drive experience is graceful in a quiet, in a Zen kind of way. The steering and brakes are tight, and the ride is firm, giving Qashqai e-POWER a surprisingly sporty feel. Although e-POWER’s part electric drivetrain reduces C0@, and while not full electric, is still a good path towards ZERO emissions.

There is plenty of space, and suits a small family, a couple, gay or not.

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