Fresh looks plus extra convenience and kit for Nissan’s big selling Qashqai crossover

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Car Reviewed: Nissan Qashqai Tekna + e-POWER 2WD

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There is a new look to the Qashqai, however, and updates to connectivity and infotainment as part of a summer 2024 facelift package that also brings a reshuffling of the range plus other changes.

We’re looking here at a mid-cycle update for the third-generation Qashqai, which launched back in 2021.

The most obvious change is the prominent, redesigned front grille, which Nissan says was inspired by traditional Japanese samurai armour scales. You have to say this really stands out, giving the Qashqai a fresh visual edge on the road.

There are also new headlights, reworked taillights to go with this sharpened profile, and reshaped bumpers.

At heart, though, this is still very much a Nissan Qashqai, now rolling on new-look alloy wheels and available to be ordered in an array of new colours.

As ever, you need to work your way around the Qashqai range. This is extensive and true to form and tailored to attract every possible buyer and be super competitive against the likes of Kia and Peugeot.

You’ll now find a new sporty N-design grade with unique 20-inch alloys sitting as the same price point as the Tekna (one below the uppermost

Tekna + grade) in the revised lineup. The entry-level Visia has now gone.

Engines are restricted to a couple of 1.3-litre mild hybrids (140 ps or 158 ps), while the headliner continues to be Nissan’strick e-Power unit. With this, a modest three 1.5-litre cylinder turbo petrol engine generates the electricity to drive the wheels.

The car is always driven by its 140kW electric motor (there is no gearbox). So you fill up as normal and there’s no EV-style range anxiety as such. Easy.

Net zero zealots won’t be quite high-fiving this, of course. But for now, Nissan sees e-Power as a sensible stepping stone to the full EV experience, which we might well expect with the next, fourth-generation Qashqai, as things stand.

Today, the Qashqai e-Power represents a solid, fuss-free driving experience, covering all the bases in terms ofperformance, ride and handling. It drives like a very well-developed electric car, which is fundamentally what it is.

‘My’ car was a range-topping Tekna+ e-Power 2WD. This puts out 190ps and boasts strong torque (330Nm from 0-3000rpm). Nissan says this Qashqai accelerates smoothly and easily and will hit 0-62mph in a competitive 7.9 secs.

At the same time, both the Qashqai and its powertrain are remarkably quiet. As part of the upgrade package, the Qashqai gets thicker glass, but Nissan is also adeptly using noise suppression technology, similar in principle to noise-cancelling headphones you see on aircraft.

The Qashqai steers well, and ride comfort on 20-inch alloys is both supple and well controlled. As ever, the Qashqai is easy to drive, if not the most scintillating in its class. But standout dynamics are not really what the car is all about.

Space and practicality have always been Qashqai virtues. You get an excellent driving position, fine all-round vision, good comfort and easy loading/unloading, so you can see why the Qashqai has long been such a family favourite.

New for ’24 is an upgraded 3D Around View Monitor to aid parking stress. There’s also a novel ‘invisible hood view’ function, which gives a clear view of just the front wheels in play. Seeing really is believing with this one.

The Qashqai now has Google built-in, so there’s no need to rely on your phone and signal to use Google Maps anymore. Just say “Hey Google” to control heated seats, ventilation and so on, or to make/receive phone calls.

The connected side of the updated Qashqai is both extensive and clever. The standard/safety kit list is similarly lengthy.

Nissan has also worked on the interior ambience, so on the upper grades (N-Design and Tekna+), there’s the welcome application of Alcantara on the dashboard, armrests, and door inserts. It does look and feel good, no doubt. 

So looking good then. Is there a “but?” Well, Nissan has timed this upgrade to coincide with the EU’s latest and contentious GSR2 safety regulations. George Orwell would have loved these.

These result in a continuous series of bongs and alerts as you drive, which soon become wearisome. Yes, Nissan says you can turn them off, but the software automatically rearms every time you restart. Welcome to the modern world.

Finally, price. Yes, this Qashqai facelift brings with it an average price rise of £1593, with the base Accenta Premium now kicking off at £30,135 OTR.

Nissan’s top-end Tekna+ e-Power model, tested here, was quite a stretch more at £43,7250, with £725 of optional Fuji Red paint included.

As ever, the Nissan Qashqai scores highly for convenience, practicality, comfort, space and all-around driveability. That’swhy we continue to buy loads of them in the UK every year.

Freshened for 2024, the Nissan Qashqai is still the soft-roader to beat in the UK.