Back in the ‘noughties’ the Pulsar hatchback was not pulling its weight in Europe, so the maker Nissan decided to beef it up and give it a new name: in this case the Qashqai, and a new identity, the compact SUV.
Down Under it became the Dualis, before following in Euro-fashion with the Qashqai moniker. Now it has gone hybrid … but, Jim, not as we know it.
While the popular petrol/electric hybrid these days uses both power sources to drive the vehicle, Nissan’s e-Power system leaves the internal combustion engine to charge the battery only, hopefully giving the Qashqai the performance of a full electric vehicle without any plug-in problems (eg: range anxiety).
And, as befitting a rare and exclusive model, the Aussie Qashqai e-Power comes in top Ti specification only. The flagship trim includes e-Power badging and premium front grille, approaching sound for pedestrians and active noise cancellation, as well as e-Pedal Step and regenerative braking.
Needless to say, the shift is no downsize in comfort and convenience. The Qashqai Ti e-Power auto checks in at $52,090, plus on-road costs. This compares with the entry-level Qashqai ST at $34,390.
While the latter makes do with a three-cylinder 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine and CVT transmission, the Ti Hybrid calls on a premium-fuelled 1.5-litre turbo complemented by a 2.1kWh lithium-ion battery and single-speed auto.
Nissan’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty is industry standard. Roadside assist covers a similar length of time.
STYLING
Panoramic glass roof is fixed, while the sunshade is electrically retractable. It’s LED lighting all round, including daytime running lights and turn signals. As well as 19-inch alloy wheels, a graphite rear bumper finish and e-Power front grille are unique additions.
INTERIOR
The cabin comes with quilted leather accented seats, which offer power adjustment up front as well as driver memory and massaging functions for both front occupants. With four up, the Qashqai is welcoming to ‘tall timber’. A third person can squash into the middle of the rear where air vents, and USB-A and USB-C charge points are handy.
Ambient lighting sets the tone.
Back there is a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders, map pockets behind both front seats, and bottle holders in the rear doors. ISOFIX anchors are situated on the outboard seats, as well as top-tether points across all three rear positions.
Boot space is up there with the best in class – capacity for the Ti is 452 litres with the rear seat backs upright, expanding to 1376 litres with them folded. The lack of any sort of spare wheel, does the owner no favours, a tyre repair kit can present a stressful challenge and a call to roadside assist.
INFOTAINMENT
A 12.3-inch central screen, with access to wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto and similar-size advanced instrument cluster, 10.8-inch head-up windscreen display and 10-speaker Bose audio are highlights.
Embedded satellite navigation with live traffic updates, AM/FM/DAB+ digital radio, as well as USB-A and USB-C connectivity are joined by a wireless smartphone charger.
ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS
The Qashqai’s e-power system consists of a high-output battery, complemented by a world top ten 116 kW 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, developed by Nissan’s luxury Infiniti arm, a power generator, inverter and electric motor for a total power output of 140kW.
The petrol engine generates electricity, which can be transmitted via the inverter to the battery pack, the electric motor or both, through varying compression ratios, according to driving requirements. This unique power source supplies the wheels directly, so response is instant and seamless, for a smooth driving experience, without the need for external charging.
SAFETY
The Qashqai attracts a five-star ANCAP rating based on 2021 testing. Standard safety features include seven airbags, including. front-centre. Autonomous emergency braking features pedestrian and cyclist detection, plus junction assist.
Also across the range are active speed limiter, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision and lane departure warning, lane keep assist, rear parking sensors, reversing camera, traffic sign recognition and tyre pressure monitoring.
The Ti e-Power adds Intelligent 360-degree camera, moving object detection, front parking sensors, ProPILOT lane centring, alarm system, intelligent park assist (semi-auto park) and side parking sensors.
DRIVING
Nissan engineers worked on keeping the e-Power driving experience ‘connected’, with petrol engine speed remaining relative to vehicle road speed no matter what the energy demands are. This ‘Linear Tune’ removes any disconnect felt by driver or passengers in performance or sound.
Nissan reckons the Ti e-Power should average around 5.2 litres per 100 kilometres on a combined urban/highway cycle, with carbon dioxide emissions of 117g/km. The tester ran between 4.5 and 6.2 litres per 100 kilometres over a week, which equates loosely to the maker’s combined consumption claim.
The e-Power demands 95 RON premium unleaded petrol in the 55-litre capacity fuel tank for an expected range of up to 1050km.
One pedal driving, as in the Leaf, is beneficial in stop/start town travel, removing the need for the driver to keep up the constant shift of one foot from the accelerator to brake pedal and back. Called e-Pedal Step, the system allows the driver to speed up or slow down using a single pedal.
Reducing the Qashqai to a slow crawl, with stop light illuminated, will not bring the vehicle to a complete stop. As for Drive Modes, Eco is for lazy days, Normal is down to day-to-day business, while Sport summons up the promise of an adrenaline-fuelled wild weekend. Well, sort of …
The chassis is set up on the sporty side, the stiff suspension competing with (and defeating) the softer clubby cabin surroundings, while Active Noise Cancellation uses the audio system to play a competing frequency to cancel out ambient noise.
SUMMARY
Automobile magicians continue to pull petrol/electric rabbits out of the hat, with hybrids being the prominent breed. Nissan is the latest to sprinkle eco-fairy dust over pesky pollutants.
RATINGS
Performance – 8
Safety – 7
Thirst – 7
Practicality – 6
Comfort – 7
Tech – 8
Value – 5
