Car test: new Qashqai e-Power, strong comeback

In 2007, Nissan hit the mark in the family city car sector by launching the Qashqainot really an SUV of which it presents certain characteristics, but rather a crossover. The model, which has undergone some developments, has sold several million units worldwide, enjoying great success in France. In 2021, the Japanese manufacturer released the third generation Qashqai, the opportunity to adopt a hybrid engine called e-Power.

In 2024, Nissan launches a new Qashqai but this time, giving it both a complete restyling and new equipment, and very slightly improved performance. A real facelift in short which should revive the career of the crossover. The seduction operation begins with a new drawingvery successful, which radically changes the appearance of the Qashqai, and in particular the arrival of a impressive honeycomb grillearranged in an inverted triangle, and decorated with a superb luminous signature.

The crossover becomes more expressive, announcing a stronger character, and its hollowed out sides and high wheels reinforce this impression. At the rear, the restyling is more discreet but nevertheless obvious: Nissan has redesigned the shields and opted for very pretty transparent optics and tapered. The look is really different, it is no longer a retouched model but almost another Qashqai.

Inside, the changes are less clear-cut, the architecture of the crossover, still as bright and spacious with four real seats (the 5th is a little narrow), remaining essentially the same. On the other hand, finishes have been approached with much more care and the interior moves up a grade with the choice of quality materials and beautiful storage spaces. The dashboard is organized around a 12.3-inch central display offering quick and intuitive use.

Under the hood, Nissan has retained its famous e-Power engine. That is a 190 hp electric motor driving the front wheels, powered by a small 1.8 kWh battery which recharges regularly when braking… When this battery which can only produce 80 hp of power is empty, it is the thermal engine, a 158 hp three-cylinder turbo which takes over to power the electric motor.

The machine is not a racing car, its technology mainly seeking electrical efficiency. On a circuit made up of secondary roads, the crossover limits its consumption to around 5.1 to 5.3 l per 100 km. If he takes a highway, consumption increases to reach the 6,7 l/100 km. Extremely decent performance which places the small compact SUV among the best in its category.

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