Nissan Qashqai e-Power

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Driving

The Qashqai e-Power we tested has a 1.5-litre petrol engine that exists solely to charge a battery. The battery powers an electric motor that drives the front wheels, giving you 202bhp without the need to plug in to charge. With an official 0-62mph sprint of 7.9 seconds, it's by far the fastest Qashqai. There's very little wind and road noise and the engine remains hushed as it charges the battery as well. Handling wise, there's a healthy amount of grip and respectable composure, but start to push its limits and there's noticeable body lean. The rather numb steering also fails to instil a ton of confidence, but you'll appreciate how light it is around town. With the 18in wheels in N-Connecta trim, the suspension deals with scruffy surfaces at low speeds well and comfort is good.

Interior

The solid, well put together interior looks smart, but it's certainly more conservatively styled than some rivals. Stitched faux-leather panels on the dashboard and doors give the ambience a welcome lift, and most of the knobs, buttons and switches on the dashboard feel well-engineered. 

Chunky controls for the air-conditioning are easy to find while you're driving. If you go for N-Connecta trim or above, the 7in digital driver's display and analogue instrument dials are replaced with a 12.3in display that's bright and easy to read. Tekna trim gets an additional head-up display. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring are standard on the 12.3in infotainment touchscreen, while all but the entry-level trim also come with Google Maps, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa built in. The graphics are sharp but the menu layout is a little cluttered when looking for certain functions.

The driving position is superb, with a comfortable seat well-aligned with the steering wheel and pedals. Choosing N-Connecta or Tekna trim adds electrically adjustable lumbar support. From a commanding road view, seeing out of the front and sides of the Qashqai is relatively easy, but a swept-up rear window line and wider rear pillars hamper the over-the-shoulder view. Luckily, parking isn't too much of a challenge thanks to rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera, and going for N-Connecta trim or above swaps that for a 360-degree bird's eye view camera plus front parking sensors.

Space and practicality

There's more than enough space for six-footers to sit in comfort in the front of the Qashqai. Getting in and out of the back seats is easier thanks to rear doors that open really wide. Two six-footers will fit just fine in the rear. Three tall adults will find it more of a squeeze, though, and the raised centre seat means there's less headroom for the middle passenger. 

Boot space depends on which trim level you go for, with the Acenta Premium giving you 504 litres, and the N-Connecta and Tekna 479 litres. An adjustable boot floor and 60/40 folding rear bench helped us load a TGA Whill R mobility scooter comfortably.

Equipment

Three trim levels are available on the Scheme, starting with the entry-level Acenta Premium, which offers keyless ignition, dual-zone climate control, automatic windscreen wipers and automatic LED headlights. N-Connecta adds 18in wheels, wireless phone charging, rear privacy glass and ambient interior lighting. Tekna, meanwhile, includes larger wheels, a heated steering wheel and heated seats, plus a handy electric tailgate.

*All measurements are approximate. Please note, cars can be taken off the Scheme at any time.

Photos: Nissan; Skoda; Adam Warner/Kia; John Bradshaw/What Car?