Nissan’s new Qashqai e-POWER is a family SUV with punchy hybrid power, clever comfort and fuel bills you’ll love

BELIEVE it or not, this is the new Qashqai. 

Doesn’t look any different on the outside. 

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But it’s been thoroughly reworked inside. 

Like going to a detox retreat and coming out the best version of itself. 

More MPG. More oomph. 

Less weight. Less noise. Less CO2. 

With none of that cost passed on to you. 

Actually, some versions are 50 quid cheaper. 

I’ll try to keep the technical stuff simple. 

Nissan’s e-POWER hybrid system is different to the regular petrol/electric combo you’ll find in other SUVs.

Here, the petrol engine’s job is to charge the on-board battery, and an electric motor drives the front wheels. 

So owners get the smoothness of an electric car, with diesel-like economy, and no faffing about with a plug.

The updated version we’ve just tested, let’s call it e-POWER “v3”, features a five-in-one powertrain (electric motor, generator, inverter, increaser and reducer) that’s smaller, more efficient and just better all round.

We averaged 52mpg over 1,000 miles on a mix of motorway, B-roads and town driving.

That’s 6mpg up on e-POWER “v2” without even trying to be good. 

It’s not going to dislodge grandpa’s toupee but the extra power does make overtaking a little easier. 

Nissan engineers hit 75mpg driving 837 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats on a single tank of fuel. Bosh. 

Although they didn’t mention the average speed. No danger of a ticket.

Park like a pro 

When you do need to be somewhere in a hurry, pop it in Sport mode to uncork an extra 15hp to 205hp.

It’s not going to dislodge grandpa’s toupee but the extra power does make overtaking a little easier. 

Other things that please. 

The cabin is quieter than a lift full of strangers.

The “v2” engine was a leeetle bit noisy. But “v3” is noticeably more refined.

But “v3” is noticeably more refined — partly due to less vibration from the new powertrain; partly due to increased insulation.

As much as 5.6 decibels quieter, I’m told. 

The dash combines a Google-powered touchscreen with big round dials for air con and volume.

We like that. Motorway cruise control is a doddle to use. The reversing camera lets you park like a pro. All you need. 

It’s a smooth, efficient stress-free family motor that’ll see you through to 2035 and beyond.

Anyone with young children will appreciate the super-wide-opening rear doors and the big boot. 

I do have a grumble, though. The ‘P’ button for parking. It’s in the wrong place.

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It should be positioned behind the gear selector. Like a manual handbrake.

And it should come on automatically when you switch off the ignition. It doesn’t. That needs fixing. 

Also, if you tow heavy stuff, this isn’t really going to cut it. You’ll want a four-wheel drive X-Trail. Or a Skoda Kodiaq. 

Aside from that, Qashqai e-POWER “v3” moves the game on even further. It’s a smooth, efficient stress-free family motor that’ll see you through to 2035 and beyond. 

Proudly built in Britain.