Nissan Qashqai - Engines, performance and drive

One particular complaint of the second-generation Nissan Qashqai was that it didn’t offer much in the way of driving enjoyment. Nissan responded by engineering in a host of dynamic tweaks for the Mk3 model, including a 60kg weight saving and a basic structure stiffened by 48 per cent. While these tweaks and a reworking of the steering system have improved the driving experience, the Qashqai still isn’t one of the more enjoyable cars to drive in the class. However, it is comfortable and refined on the road, and that will matter more to customers.

Most cars in the Qashqai lineup use a torsion-beam rear suspension layout, although a more up-to-date multi-link set-up is fitted to top-spec models equipped with 20-inch alloy wheels. The standard set-up we’ve tried fidgets a little a little over smaller bumps, but generally, the Qashqai rides very well. And because the 20” wheeled versions get multi-link suspension, there isn’t much of a comfort penalty attached to choosing these better-looking models.  

Push on a bit, and there’s body roll, but it's quite gradual and controlled. The steering is light (unless you select sport mode, which adds some extra heft) and devoid of feel, but it's direct enough and makes the car feel quite nimble through quick direction changes. 

When we pitted the Qashqai against the Skoda Karoq and the previous generation Vauxhall Grandland, we found the Nissan was better at dealing with bumps and potholes than the Vauxhall and has more responsive steering than the Skoda, plus the driving position provides plenty of visibility. Overall, the Qashqai's comfortable, easygoing nature makes it a relatively relaxing car to drive.

The regular 1.3-litre mild-hybrid engine uses a small electric motor to boost efficiency. It cannot drive the wheels under electric power alone just like most other mild hybrid set-ups. The e-motor is fed by a lithium-ion battery, which stores energy recovered by the regenerative braking system under braking. This engine is available in two different power outputs, 138bhp and 156bhp, and a choice of either a six-speed manual or CVT automatic transmission.

We think the manual is the better option – it’s around £1,600 cheaper and is reasonably slick, while the CVT doesn’t feel as capable as a regular auto. Neither of these engines makes the Qashqai feel particularly fast, but they do deliver good refinement and don’t sound bad when revved harder. Wind noise picks up at speed, but the Qashqai cabin is generally a quiet place to be on the move. 

The flagship power option in the range uses Nissan’s clever e-Power tech. The innovative system employs a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, acting solely as a generator to charge the car’s lithium-ion battery, which then powers the electric motor to drive the wheels. There’s no plug to charge the battery but with the engine acting solely as a generator, the e-Power Nissan Qashqai is always driven by electric power alone. 

This unusual setup means that the e-Power model feels a bit like an all-electric car to drive; smooth off the line with step-free acceleration from low speed. Performance is decent, but there isn’t that powerful surge of initial acceleration you get with a pure EV. Instead, the power arrives progressively, with the peak 187bhp power output only generated when the petrol motor is between 4,500 and 7,500rpm. The engine is barely audible at low speeds, but as you ask for more power, it can sound rough, and its revs don’t quite correlate with your inputs on the throttle pedal. It’s something you get used to rather than a major issue. 

What is the Nissan Qashqai like to drive? 

In town

The manual version is easy enough to drive in town, and is preferable over the regular 1.3-litre petrol engine when equipped with a CVT automatic transmission, which can dither when moving away from a stop – not ideal for entering a busy roundabout.

Even better is the e-Power hybrid. Due to the drive to the wheels coming from an electric motor, it feels more like an EV to drive with a smooth and near instantaneous accelerator response. 

On A- and B-roads

When it comes to SUVs that have been designed more to ease the burden of family life, fun isn’t really a top priority. The same is true for the Qashqai, which can’t match the sharper Ford Kuga for handling prowess, but it’s agile enough for most buyers and feels stable and secure at higher speeds. The steering provides the sort of precision expected of a road-biased SUV, although it isn’t brimming with feedback.

The suspension competently deals with the worst road surfaces, but we’d like it if the springs and dampers could provide a little more give. We’d advise you to stick with the smaller 17 or 18-inch wheels fitted to Acenta Premium and N-Connecta in order to get a more comfortable ride. 

There’s a slight pause when you ask for maximum performance when overtaking in the e-Power hybrid, but it quickly perks up and delivers everything it’s got once the engine revs have picked up.

On the motorway

We haven’t yet been able to try the updated Qashqai side by side with its predecessor to determine whether the additional sound deadening has made a difference, but we can say that the latest Qashqai remains a quiet car at speed. 

There’s some engine noise to be heard when accelerating hard in all versions, but it isn’t intrusive and settles into the background once you’re up to cruising speed. Road noise is contained well.

Comfort and stability at high speed are great.

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0-62mph acceleration and top speed

The Nissan Qashqai’s 1.3-litre engine is refined and only becomes noticeable under hard acceleration when the noise is far from intrusive. The 138bhp version offers passable performance, with 0-62mph taking 10.2 seconds and a 122mph top speed.

Moving up to the 156bhp car improves things a little, with the quickest version being the front-wheel drive auto which takes 9.2 seconds to reach 62mph from a standstill. The six-speed manual variant is a touch slower, needing 9.5 seconds to reach the sprint benchmark. The e-Power model has a much more healthy 187bhp and manages to cut the 0-62mph time to 7.9 seconds.