The popular Nissan Qashqai: newer, bolder and faster

They say you’re always within six feet of a spider. Oddly, the same goes for a Nissan Qashqai

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Car Reviewed: Nissan Qashqai e-Power Tekna+

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Nissan proudly boasts that you’re always within 500m of a Qashqai in the UK. This isn’t just a claim, it’s a testament to the Qashqai’s popularity. It was Britain’s best-selling car in 2022, and it revolutionised the crossover market when it first hit the roads in 2006.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of what’s new with the 2024 Qashqai, it’s worth noting that Nissan has kept its mix of powertrains, but buyers can choose from three, a 138bhp and 155 mild hybrid or the range-topping 187bhp e-Power, as we tested. The e-Power system uses the engine to charge the battery for the electric motor, this means – no need to charge. Not keen to go for a fully electric car, this is a good step-up. E-Power still benefits drivers with lower emissions and improved economy.

The Qashqai did a fine job tackling the winding tarmac deep within the Portuguese Algarve mountains. The e-Power is brisk and smooth, but you still get quite an intrusive thrum when under load. Turning on the e-Pedal function gives somewhat of a one-pedal drive, but this, combined with the regenerative braking, can sometimes be too vigorous. 

The 12V hybrid system contributes 4lbft of torque when accelerating, which isn’t massive. Still, it does a good job carrying the stop/start system and other electronic accessories when the engine is off. 

Mechanicals aside, most of the changes revolve around onboard tech and cosmetics. Hop inside the Qashqai, and you’ll find a nice mix of alcantara and leather. Some materials feel slightly cheaper in places, such as the synthetic leather and patterned trim in the middle of the dash, but it feels well put together. There’s new ambient lighting throughout the car, which can be customised. 

Hop into the rear, and you’ll find enough headroom for a six-foot passenger with a six-foot driver up front. Likewise, the Qashqai offers generous headroom. 

At first glance, the Qashqai’s new front end looks sharp and aggressive. Look closely, and you may see what inspired Nissan’s design team, but if you’re still not sure, inspiration was taken from Japanese samurai helmets – its daytime running lights represent horns. With these changes, the Qashqai looks slightly porkier than its predecessor, but its dimensions remain unchanged. 

Nissan’s tech house has upgraded the tech, adding a new version of NissanConnect and Google Built-in. The infotainment screen is incredibly responsive with zero latency, and it’s not like Nissan has ditched conventional clicky buttons for a full touchscreen approach, either. The cabin has a selection of handy buttons, allowing for the easy control of climate, fan speed, and other accessories.

There’s a new Around View Monitor system, which uses a 3D function to see the car from above when parking. A new Invisible Hood View allows drivers to see through the bonnet, allowing for easier parking in tight spaces.

The new Qashqai is EU GSR2 compliant, but this means some eager safety systems onboard fill the cabin with bings and bongs. Luckily, you can easily turn these off, but they will turn back on when the car is restarted.

The boot capacity is 479 litres, a 25-litre drop from the previous model. Still, there’s a lot of usable space.

Overall, the new Qashqai is a solid competitor to other cars in its field. The interior and exterior updates are welcomed with open arms. The ride and e-Power powertrain are smooth, and the infotainment is top-notch. The New upgraded Nissan Qashqai will only increase this cars popularity.