Milan serves as the stage for the Italian debut of the new Qashqai e-Power, a technological evolution of the hybrid concept according to Nissan. With its third generation, the Japanese manufacturer introduces a completely redesigned system, conceived to offer the experience of electric driving without the need for recharging.
A Revolutionary Powertrain
The new "5-in-1" powertrain is more compact and lighter, integrating the inverter, reducer, and generator into a single aluminum casing to optimize space, insulation, and cooling, boosting the power to 205 hp. However, the truly significant figures are the declared consumption of up to 4.5 l/100 km, over 1,200 km of range with a full tank, and CO₂ emissions of 102 g/km. This efficiency positions the Qashqai e-Power at the top of its segment.
STARC technology optimizes combustion, while a new turbocharger reduces engine speed on the highway, further improving smoothness and noise levels.
Interior Innovation: Google Integration and Advanced Assistance
Inside, Google integration arrives, featuring Maps, Assistant, and the Play Store, combined with advanced functions like Nissan Trip Stories and the evolution of the ProPILOT driving assistance system.
e-Power: A Success Story
In 2022, the Nissan Qashqai pioneered the e-Power system in Europe. Since then, the Japanese C-SUV, one of the best-selling in Europe, has won over (along with its sister X-Trail) over 100,000 customers with this hybrid system. This system relies on the electric motor for traction, providing fluidity, quietness, and quick bursts of acceleration, while the 1.5-liter gasoline engine is solely responsible for generating energy to recharge the battery.
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Quattroruote's Test Results: Efficiency and Performance
Quattroruote's October 2025 issue and the QPremium subscription area offer a comprehensive look at the new Nissan Qashqai e-Power, which is now available for sale. Preliminary results reveal a 17% improvement in fuel economy on state roads and over 28 km/liter in the city. These are very interesting figures, paired with a 12% improvement in acceleration.
Deep Dive into e-Power's Effectiveness
The Nissan Qashqai e-Power has sparked curiosity, both for its original technical architecture and its real-world effectiveness. The hybrid system, dubbed e-Power, has proven to be remarkably effective, especially in stop-and-go traffic.
While not as efficient on the highway, the e-Power system excels in urban and state road driving. In the city, Quattroruote recorded an excellent 27.6 km/liter, and on state roads, it achieved 19 km/liter, resulting in an average of 19.4 km/liter across all test cycles. These figures, combined with a 55-liter fuel tank, translate to an average range of around 1,000 kilometers.
Long-Distance Testing: Proving Reliability
Nissan organized a long-distance test to challenge the third generation e-Power powertrain in the new Qashqai. The journey lasted 18 hours, covering 1,347 kilometers. Upon arrival, the onboard computer still indicated a remaining range of 160 km. The average fuel consumption recorded was 3.76 l/100 km, equivalent to 26.6 km/liter.
2024 Facelift: Design and Technology Updates
After 16 years at the top, the 2024 update goes beyond a typical mid-cycle facelift. The current generation of the Nissan Qashqai, launched in 2021, has been redesigned without compromising the qualities that made it a best-seller, starting with fuel economy.
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The restyling of the Japanese manufacturer's most successful model, which was the best-selling medium crossover in Italy in the first three months of 2024, arrived in dealerships in September with several new features, especially in terms of aesthetics.
The interior of the Qashqai confirms its ability to accommodate five adults and features updated finishes and upholstery.
On the technology front, the infotainment system, which remains at 10.5 inches, adds Google services connectivity, including the voice assistant, ready to respond to voice commands. Apple enthusiasts can still enjoy wireless support for CarPlay and Siri.
The crossover also introduces minor improvements to the driving assistance suite, with the new AVM system that automatically recognizes frequently used parking spots via GPS, making maneuvering easier even in tight spaces.
Powertrain Options: Mild Hybrid and e-Power
Regarding powertrains, as in the early days of this third generation, there are two options: the 1.3-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with mild hybrid technology, available in 140 or 158 hp variants, or the innovative e-Power system. This full hybrid powertrain delivers 190 hp and 330 Nm of torque and distinguishes itself from similar systems in several ways.
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First, the gasoline engine has no mechanical connection to the wheels but only serves as a generator for the battery from which the electric motor draws power. Second, this three-cylinder engine derives from a recent, highly sophisticated Infiniti engine and shares its unique variable compression ratio feature.
The Electric Driving Experience
This results in the same driving feel as a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) but without range anxiety. It might seem contradictory to power an electric car with fossil fuel, but it is a practical bridge solution for those not yet ready for the full electric leap. It allows them to reduce emissions and fuel consumption.
Fuel consumption figures from Quattroruote's testing of the pre-facelift Qashqai, equipped with the same e-Power system, show 27.6 km/l in the city and 14.6 km/l on the highway, for an average of 19.4 km/l. These are remarkable figures for the segment and not very different from those observed on the onboard computer at the end of this initial test.
Apart from fuel consumption, this powertrain truly feels like driving a 100% electric car: responsive, smooth, without any gear changes interrupting the thrust. This enhances comfort in the cabin, with the piston engine occasionally starting to support acceleration and restore optimal charge levels in the battery, but it remains barely audible thanks to effective sound insulation.
Trims and Pricing
The Qashqai restyling offers five trim levels: Acenta, N-Connecta, Tekna, Tekna+, and N-Design. Depending on the chosen version, the lower part of the bumpers and wheel arches can be black or body-colored. There are eight color options, including three new ones (pearl white, pearl black, and metallic ocean blue). The higher-end versions feature two-tone bodies, with a black roof adding a sportier touch.
Official pricing has not yet been announced.
e-Power: Refinements and Improvements
With the restyling, the Japanese SUV confirmed its position as a best-seller.
The fundamental principle of the system, the series hybrid scheme, remains unchanged with the new powertrain: the gasoline engine never drives the wheels but powers a generator that charges the 2.1 kWh battery. While the battery remains the same, the 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine is entirely new, featuring a larger turbo that increases the available charging power at low speeds, while maintaining the same maximum power of 158 hp.
This eliminates the need for the variable compression ratio solution and allows for lower engine speeds on the highway, reducing noise. Nissan claims a gain of 5.6 dB(A) when accelerating at highway speeds for overtaking.
The integrated design of the electrical components, with the motor, alternator, converter, and transmission gears in a single unit (Nissan calls it the "5-1 solution"), contributes to reducing vibrations and also lowers the weight by 28 kg. The new electrical system also develops more power, up to 205 hp in Sport mode (190 hp, exactly as before, in Normal mode).
Efficiency as the Primary Goal
The development of the new powertrain by Nissan engineers focuses primarily on reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The manufacturer now declares an average of 22.2 km/liter in the WLTP cycle, compared to the previous 19.6 km/liter: a 12% difference. The reduction in carbon dioxide emissions goes hand in hand, decreasing from 116 g/km to 102 g/km.
Having tested both the new and old systems over approximately thirty kilometers during a test drive in Barcelona, the improvements in overall noise levels are evident and noticeable from the first accelerations when the 1.5-liter engine engages to recharge the battery. The highway quietness is also good, thanks to other small innovations, such as the mirror housings more pronounced towards the rear of the vehicle and the under-engine bulkhead made in one piece instead of two. These solutions should also contribute to improved efficiency.
Regarding fuel consumption, a more detailed analysis with the instruments of the Quattroruote Testing Center is needed. However, the initial test drive showed an interesting figure of 19 km/liter on extra-urban roads. The consistency and smoothness of the electric motor's thrust are also appreciable, with a good burst, especially in the initial phase.
Production and Availability
Production of the new model has already started at the Sunderland plant in the United Kingdom, where the 4.5 millionth Qashqai produced since 2006 has just been celebrated.
tags: #nissan #qashqai #prova #quattroruote