Nissan Qashqai engines & performance

If it weren’t for the faint thrum of the e-Power Hybrid's three-cylinder engine emanating from the front end under load, it would make a good impression of a pure-electric system much of the time. 

Take-up of power is smooth and brisk and acceleration pleasingly linear. Because all the driving is done by a big electric motor, the e-Power has strong regenerative braking too – perhaps too strong if you turn e-Pedal mode on.

Adaptive cruise control can easily frustrate as it doesn’t anticipate like a good driver would, but the Nissan’s is well calibrated and cleverly handles changing speed limits. I still wish for a way to switch it to regular cruise control, though.

Illya Verpraet

Road Tester

The engine only really makes its presence known under greater load, when it often spins a little vociferously into life and can rev a bit disconcertingly in no particular relation to the demands made by your right foot.

Overall, though, the e-Power set-up feels like the best resolved and least compromised powertrain you can have in the Qashqai. 

All other variants of Qashqai are let down by a choice of disappointing gearboxes. The six-speed manual feels spongy, with a high bite point. 

To make matters worse, engine revs drop very slowly when the clutch is disengaged, which makes it more difficult than it needs to be to change gear quickly and smoothly. The action of the gearchange could be better defined, too. It’s light, with a mildly notchy but longish throw.