This crossover is always ahead of the curve. As soon as it appeared, it became a trendsetter for crossovers, and it needs to keep the bar high more than anyone else. Along with its competitors, the Qashqai manages to stand out even now when the segment is oversaturated with offers.
The company’s hard work can always be seen only in the results, and now we are enjoying what we have been working on, thinking about, and testing for many years. The value of engineering is to fulfill the expectations and hopes of consumers and get into that sensitive zone that makes them want to own such a car. And I think Nissan is succeeding in this more and more often. Even when the manufacturer only slightly tweaks something that already looked good. I just remember that ITC readers criticized the appearance of the third generation. So catch the update that you should like.
The latest generation Nissan Qashqai appeared just before the invasion — at the end of 2021, and the official presentation in Ukraine took place a week before the worst events for our country. Only the company’s representatives and the manufacturer believed in us and continued to supply us with new cars, and the hybrid versions of the crossover arrived not so long ago. And now we are getting a fresh crossover after a facelift.
The world first saw the Qashqai in 2006, and in 2007, the first crossovers hit dealers. Since then, more than four million crossovers have been on the road in more than 100 countries. And the third generation has already reached 350,000 sales, including 120,000 with e-Power technology.
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What’s new in the Nissan Qashqai 2024?
If you think that there are not many changes, it is only at first glance, in fact, this crossover has not only undergone a facelift and rejuvenation, but also offered customers a better deal. And if the best changes are boldly displayed on the face of the crossover, the rest are hidden a little deeper.
First of all, it is worth pointing out the front of the crossover, which received a new grille, new bumpers and original diode parking lights.
Unsurprisingly, the grille now has a different look, much more suited to the hipster style it now appears to be. There are no more of those chrome V-shaped elements, but only triangular multifaceted shimmering parts made of shiny plastic. According to the manufacturer, this is a reflection of the motifs of ancient Japanese armor. And in fact, if you look closely, the three-dimensional triangles have the shape of «comma», and in the top versions they are decorated with hot foil stamping under the loud name «satin chrome».
Very modern, in my opinion. Especially since they repeat the shape of the «comma» diode parking lights, which are integrated into the headlight. These are five small lenses located under the main lens, and the upper diode strip, when turned on, becomes a turn signal in the form of a dynamic ribbon and has the Nissan inscription. The logo is also now illuminated.
For the first time, Qashqai is equipped with an adaptive high beam module, an additional module for wider beam distribution. Indeed, the work of adaptive lighting is so invisible and accurate that you are surprised by such bright lighting and the fact that you do not blind oncoming traffic. The high beam is only turned on when it does not disturb anyone and turns off in time. So you don’t have to worry about it while traveling. It’s a nice feeling.
There are fewer changes at the rear. There are also diode headlights, dynamic turn signals and fresh bumpers. The overall appearance is complemented by new designs of 17, 18, 19 and 20-inch wheels, depending on the configuration, and fresh colors: Pearl White, Pearl Black plus an unusual blue-green-turquoise Deep Ocean.
Modest changes in the interior of the Nissan Qashqai 2024
Nissan’s interior design has long since moved beyond the budget mass market, although the prices are no longer the same. So the overall configuration of the cabin has not changed after the facelift, but some materials and settings have changed. Most changes are always hidden in the details. Thus, a different finish above the glove compartment and on the center console around the gear lever immediately catches your eye. Now it’s a kind of artificial gray plastic with patterns «to match the veneer». The lever has changed, instead of a paddle, there is now a mode shift key and buttons for activating EV mode and e-pedal, which I will discuss a little later.
The three top versions have different upholstery. And while Tekna has only artificial eco-leather, the top N-Design and Tekna+ will have genuine leather in combination with alcantara. True, it doesn’t feel like premium quality to the touch, but it’s not premium either. Isn’t it?
As an additional perk, the manufacturer offers diode interior lighting that can change color depending on the driver’s mood. However, it is not so easy to find this item in the menu. It turns out that it is hidden in the depths of the dashboard menu. The choice of colors is large, and the top versions will also illuminate the rear of the cabin to impress passengers. Although this feature is unlikely to surprise anyone now.
But the improvement in camera quality is really impressive. The proprietary Around View Monitor system now uses four cameras, and the image has become clearer and has a brighter picture at night. However, the distance shown by the camera is a bit off. In this case, it is better to trust parking sensors or mirrors than the camera.
It’s nice to see the details in the three-dimensional 3D image from above. At least here the cameras are not wrong. It’s good that you can still switch the display between the eight viewpoints of the external camera to get images from the front, rear, side, or corners of the car. You need to do this using a separate button under the central monitor.
I was not able to test the latest intelligent feature «Parking Spot Location Memory», which allows you to memorize the most frequently used parking spots and they are stored in the standard navigation system, so the next time the car automatically recognizes the place. In addition, it remembers that you had a hard time leaving and next time it will turn on the camera so that you can see the details around you. And Qashqai is the first car in Nissan’s European segment to feature an integrated set of Google services, which will allow you to expand your personalization and take advantage of additional benefits by connecting your Google account. By the way, the system map and navigation are very clear and speak Ukrainian. It is a nice image, and it is duplicated on the dashboard.
Of course, after connecting, maps with traffic jams and the Google Assistant voice assistant will work. So «Hello, Google» will allow you to chat or give an order to perform some actions in the cabin: change the ventilation settings, turn on the heating of the seats or steering wheel and glass, plot a route, and so on.
It is also worth mentioning that monitors, wireless AppleCar Play and Android Auto, as well as 360-degree cameras are now available in any configuration, starting with the starter. And although they work, as always in Nissan, sometimes falling off, it is still very nice that they are there and connect quickly and recover quickly if something happens.
In front of the driver’s eyes on the monitor behind the wheel, there is now a separate mode that shows the driving mode of the e-Power system. No, it’s not a visualization of the transmission, as I thought at first, but only a percentage energy scale. You can only see when the regeneration and electric motor are working, and when the engine power is turned on. It’s a shame because I’ve always liked interesting graphics.
Everything else feels the same and is of high quality. The seats have long been comfortable and adjustable in wide ranges, as has the steering wheel. There are all heated seats for the front passengers, steering wheel and windshield. The climate works well, although sometimes it is noisy when driving in train mode. There is even a massage for the front seats in the maximum Tekna+ configuration. It massages almost the entire back. You can adjust the intensity and speed, and it turns on with a button on the side of the seat or on the central monitor. There will be wireless charging, as well as Type-C inputs hidden in the armrest, and air diffusers and two ports for charging gadgets are also offered for rear passengers.
The materials are all pleasant and soft to the touch. To save money, the Japanese still leave hard plastic in places that are usually rarely touched by a human hand. So don’t be surprised by some of the economy class elements. Be happy that it is soft and pleasant under your hands.
Increased level of security
Now the full range of safety systems is included as standard. The emergency braking function (Front Emergency Brake, Pedestrian Front Emergency Brake, Front Emergency Brake Cyclist) has been slightly modified to make it more responsive to possible collisions. So during acceleration, when you overtake, it gets nervous that you won’t have time to change lanes and crash into the previous slow car. At least it doesn’t brake. But it is capable of it. During emergency braking, the brake lights will turn on and flash, and it is activated when braking from a speed of 60 km/h.
The manufacturer claims that the Emergency Lane Keeping System is now automatically activated at speeds above 60 km/h. Only somehow it does not react so sharply that it is difficult to notice it. And the vibration is felt only when you actually hit the lane and cross it.
Of course, there is still a projection display that shows your speed, the operation of the auxiliary systems, and speed limit signs. And now the latter has some changes — it starts flashing and screaming when you exceed the speed limit. It’s good that you can change the settings and make it quiet.
What is the Nissan Qashqai 2024 like on the move?
Everything here seems ordinary and not shocking, but you wonder how much the Qashqai has changed over the past 18 years. It’s good that the manufacturer is not lagging behind, but rather actively developing and integrating new developments into mass production. And now the popular crossover has become not just ordinary, but keeps up with top competitors, even outperforming the leader Toyota RAV4 in many areas from design to technology.
Moreover, the brand is not lagging behind in the introduction of innovative eco-friendly powertrains. So the e-power system may not look exactly like Toyota’s, but it works according to the same algorithm: a gasoline engine generates electricity, which is supplied to an electric motor or a battery or both via an inverter. Therefore, the Nissan Qashqai e-power has all the advantages of an electric vehicle, but the range reaches more than 600 km on a single tank of fuel.
There’s no need to repeat myself after the reviews we’ve already written about the proprietary hybrid system. Let me just remind you that it consists of a three-cylinder 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with variable compression ratio technology, a 140 kW electric motor, and a 1.8 kWh battery.
Naturally, with such a system, the crossover gives only pleasant driving sensations. It has a lightweight steering wheel with electric power assist and the ability to change the force, soft multi-link suspension around the circumference. Of course, the suspension settings could have been softer for passenger comfort and the absence of light shaking when driving over bumps, which can be quite sensitive. But the manufacturer clearly understood that it was offering a car with a 190 hp power unit and 330 Nm of available torque almost immediately.
The dynamism of the Qashqai can only be compared to electric vehicles or older representatives of the luxury brand Infiniti. Only there will not be such instant acceleration. After all, there is no intermediary in the form of a gearbox — only a gearbox. Therefore, there are no acceleration limits at all, and even at a speed of 120 km/h, the crossover easily picks up and delivers even higher speeds even without turning on the Sport mode. The main thing is to negotiate with the safety systems.
The system is so pleasant that it gives you the silence of driving in electric mode, softness, instant dynamics and power, as well as economy. Sometimes in mixed mode, fuel consumption was 3.8 liters, and on average, during dynamic driving, it will stay around 5 liters, which corresponds to the declared 5.3-5.4 liters.
Of course, the e-POWER system also offers regeneration, which is sometimes quite active, especially in Eco mode. The system can operate at idle speed to return electricity to the battery. Like in the Nissan Leaf, there is a B mode — that enhances the regeneration mode. You can also turn on the e-Pedal Step function, which allows you to avoid moving your foot once again and drive the car with one pedal. By the way, no one else has such a system. But while in the Leaf it can completely stop the electric car, here it only slows down, and to stop you need to apply the brakes.
Positioning and competitors
All the changes that are taking place with Nissan models fit into the brand’s global plan «The Arc», which aims to gradually move towards a global environmental direction. And we can already see this trend very clearly because now all Qashqai are offered only with hybrid systems. This will be a regular Mild Hybrid in the initial offerings with a 1.3-liter engine and a small battery, where the hybrid function works more to reduce emissions and fuel consumption and is practically not felt in dynamics. These versions have a manual transmission or the proprietary Xtronic, as well as all-wheel or front-wheel drive. And the advanced e-power system, which we described above and which allows you to enjoy all the benefits of an electric vehicle, excluding its most important feature — charging. And the company believes that this version will allow consumers to slowly switch to electric versions in the future. And I have to agree with them.
The Nissan Qashqai has everything you could ever want in a crossover — technology, efficiency, environmental friendliness, decent ground clearance, spacious interior, comfort, ease of driving, a pleasant modern interior, and a distinctive appearance that has now been perfected. By the way, the designers were inspired by the traditional costumes of Japanese warriors, which combine skill with strength and speed. And this really matches the character of this car.
The main question is whether the consumer will be ready to pay UAH 1,549,330 ($37,661) for a dynamic eco-friendly crossover and get all the benefits of e-power. Alternatively, you can choose the simplest version with a manual transmission for UAH 1,140,510 ($27,723), and the maximum configuration with all the bells and whistles will cost UAH 1,861,380 ($45,247).
Nissan Qashqai’s place among competitors will definitely be somewhere among the leaders because the offer is wide, but almost no one offers such a set as our hero has now. Of course, only Koreans with KIA Sportage or Hyundai Tucson can get ahead of it. Honda HR-V and Toyota Rav4 are not far behind, losing only in design and options. The French with Peugeot 3008 and Citroen C5 are also in the lead, offering electric versions. And you can also list a dozen competitors in the segment. But personally, I don’t want to part with this car at all, it gives me such a pleasant feeling.
PROS: dynamics, efficiency, exterior and interior design, comfort, and handling.
CONS: some systems still don’t work very well, very blurry image on the 360-degree camera.
And here you can see the review of its predecessor.
Technical characteristics of the Nissan Qashqai 2024 e-Power Tekna+
| Body, type | SUV |
| Dimensions (LxWxH), mm | 4425/1625/1835 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2665 |
| Declared ground clearance, mm | 180 |
| Trunk volume, liters. | 479/1415 |
| Curb weight, kg | 2180 |
| Engine | 1.5 |
| Power, hp. | 190 |
| Torque, Nm | 330 |
| Type of hybrid installation | HEV |
| Electric motor power, kW | 140 |
| Type of drive | front |
| Pendant | independent/independent spring |
| Transmission | reducer |
| Dynamics 0-100, s | 7,9 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 170 |
| Fuel consumption, l (mixed) | 5,4 |
| Cost, UAH | 1 140 510 |
| The cost of the test car, UAH | 1 861 380 |
| Competitors | Toyota RAV4 |
| Kia Sportage | |
| Peugeot 3008 | |
| Honda HR-V |
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