2024 Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power Review

With Australia’s appetite for small SUVs showing no signs of slowing down, Nissan has given the Qashqai a new, hybrid beating heart in an attempt to get a slice of an ever-increasing hybrid-shaped pie.

While the recipe seems simple, Nissan has actually come up with a unique hybrid system that makes the Qashqai drive like an electric vehicle, promising a more refined driving experience.

It doesn’t come cheap, though, with Nissan reserving its ‘e-Power’ hybrid tech for its flagship Ti variant, only.

This puts the Qashqai up against some seriously stiff competition, even within the company’s own lineup, with the hybrid Qashqai sitting well within reach of the larger, fan-favourite X-Trail.

To find out just how transformative the Qashqai’s hybrid heart has been for the driving experience and fuel efficiency, we got behind the wheel of the Qashqai Ti e-Power to see if it’s worth stretching your budget.

Nissan Qashqai e-Power Competition

How Much Does the Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power Cost?

The MY24 Nissan Qashqai e-Power sits at the very top of the lineup, wearing a price tag of $52,090 before on-road costs.

That puts it at a $4,200 premium over the regular, petrol-powered Qashqai Ti, which is priced at $47,890.

For reference, prices for the Qashqai range kick off from $34,390 for the ST base model; we’ll list prices for the full Qashqai range below.

• Qashqai ST - $34,390

• Qashqai ST+ - $38,390

• Qashqai ST-L - $42,690

• Qashqai Ti - $47,890

• Qashqai Ti e-Power - $52,090 (tested)  

How Much Can OnlineAuto Save You?

Using OnlineAuto’s car buying service, you could save thousands on your next car with the help of our team of car-buying specialists.

Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power Have?

Sitting at the top of the range, the Qashqai Ti e-Power comes packed with a heap of features and premium touches.

The features specific to the Ti range include quilted leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof with black headliner, heated, power-adjustable and massaging front seats, a hands-free boot lift, a 10.8-inch head-up display, auto-tilting side mirrors and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

Special touches added to the Ti e-Power, specifically, include an upgraded front grille design, active noise cancellation, alert sounds for nearby pedestrians and an intelligent parking assistant with side parking sensors.

The Qashqai Ti e-Power benefits from a tonne of equipment you’ll find in lower grades, including adaptive cruise control,  a surround-view monitor with front & rear parking sensors, heated front seats, climate control, a wireless charging pad, a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, adaptive LED head and fog lights, roof rails and 19-inch alloy wheels.

All up, there’s a tonne of clever features and tech bundled in with the range-topper, as well as a long list of active safety gear that we’ll cover later in this review.

Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power Connectivity & Infotainment Features

One area that the Qashqai Ti e-Power impresses is the onboard infotainment system.

Over the base model’s 8.0-inch display, the Qashqai ST+, ST-L and the flagship Ti pick up an upgraded 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that sits atop the dashboard.

It’s a large, bright, responsive and high-definition display that adds some modernity to the sleek cabin and ticks all the important boxes for tech-savvy buyers.

Sitting beside the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, the Qashqai’s cabin looks smart and particularly well-equipped… as it should at this price point.

Nissan’s stock menus aren’t the most eye-catching, though the layout is simple to navigate with a few swipes, while a rotary volume dial and some shortcuts to skip through your tracks or radio station are sitting in front of the display.

The 12.3-inch unit is packaged with live traffic satellite navigation, AM/FM radio, DAB+ digital radio and voice controls, with USB-C and USB-A ports hiding inside the centre armrest.

It’s paired with a 10-speaker sound system from Bose that offers a digital amplifier and a subwoofer to help deliver some extra power and will leave few buyers disappointed in terms of the onboard infotainment tech.

Does the Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

While the Qashqai comes packing a modern infotainment system, wireless smartphone mirroring is only offered for one ecosystem.

Potential buyers should take note that while Apple CarPlay & Android Auto are both accessible via the 12.3-inch infotainment system, only iOS devices can go hands-free.

That’s because the Qashqai’s infotainment system offers wireless Apple CarPlay but requires Android users to connect their phone via either the USB-A or USB-C port in order to access Android Auto on the move.

Is the Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power Comfortable to Drive?

Nissan’s range-topping Qashqai Ti e-Power is a cracking little package behind the wheel, though it’s not the most versatile in the segment.

Without getting too bogged in the weeds, it’s worth unpacking what’s under the bonnet and how that transforms the driving experience in the e-Power hybrid.

Nissan’s e-Power hybrid system sees power delivered to the front wheels via an electric motor, while the 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol unit works as an electricity generator for the motor and 2.3kWh lithium-ion battery.

This is a unique hybrid system that means the Qashqai actually drives like a fully-fledged electric vehicle rather than a conventional hybrid system.

The biggest benefit of this EV-like nature on the road is the instant injection of torque off the line, offering smooth, effortless acceleration.

In this respect, the Qashqai e-Power trumps even the biggest names in the segment thanks to its silky smooth acceleration, with a healthy 140kW of power and 330Nm of torque on hand to glide you up to speed.

Flatten your right foot and the Qashqai takes off with urgency, while the petrol unit kicks into life in the background but remains subdued, rather than thrashy, adding to the refinement.

Around town, the Qashqai is quick to prove itself an excellent daily driver, with its silky-smooth acceleration and nippy handling that makes for an ideal city car.

Rotating the steering wheel is incredibly easy, perhaps too light for some enthusiasts, though it makes for an incredibly user-friendly driving experience while darting around a carpark or navigating traffic.

Its pint-sized footprint also helps to alleviate any headaches while squeezing into a cramped car space or making a quick three-point turn around town.

There’s a regenerative braking system available via a button beside the gear lever, though it’s not adjustable and won’t bring you to a complete stop around town.

The only real catch in terms of the driving experience is the ride quality - though it’s something that is likely to impact only those living in the country.

Nissan has opted for a stiffer setup for the Qashqai Ti e-Power, likely to contend with the extra weight of the hybrid system.

This offers both a positive and a negative in terms of the drive in a way reminiscent of a premium, European suspension package.

The upside is surprisingly sporty handling that makes the Qashqai light on its feet and more fun than we’d first anticipated while remaining confident on some higher-speed bends for a front-wheel drive package. 

The downside is that it’s quite firm riding over moderate bumps around town and a little crashy when tackling a rougher country road, which might isolate some regional buyers looking for a long-distance cruiser.

The same applies to rougher sections of the highway, with the Qashqai riding a bit firmer than you might hope for, even bouncing on some undulating high-speed sections.

All things considered, we’ve had to cast the microscope over the Qashqai Ti e-Power to an extreme degree to find any major flaws in terms of the driving experience.

Nissan has put together a great small SUV package, especially for urban dwellers, with its silky-smooth on-road manners and zippy handling that make it a great city car option.

Is the Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power Fuel Efficient?

Nissan’s e-Power hybrid system does indeed offer some fuel economy benefits over the standard petrol-powered lineup, though the difference isn’t as transformative as you might be hoping.

On a combined cycle, Nissan says the Qashqai Ti e-Power sips 5.2L per 100km.

In our time behind the wheel, we managed match Nissan’s claims, averaging 5.2L/100km over 850km worth of town, country and highway driving.

Around town and with the electric motor doing the legwork in taking off from the lights, you’ll sip just 5.2L per 100km which is super fuel-efficient, while long stints on the highway average 5.1L per 100km.

For reference, the standard, non-hybrid Qashqai engine consumes a claimed 6.1L per 100km on a combined cycle.

This makes the Qashqai Ti e-Power around 15 per cent more efficient than the non-hybrid lineup which isn’t to be sneezed at but doesn’t exactly have a transformative impact on fuel economy figures.

Ironically, the biggest virtue of Nissan’s hybrid setup for the Qashqai is how it feels on the road, rather than the fuel savings, though they are welcome.

• Qashqai Ti e-Power Combined Cycle: 5.2L/100km (claimed)

• Qashqai Ti e-Power Combined Cycle: 5.2L/100km (tested)

• Qashqai Ti e-Power City Consumption: 5.2L per 100km

• Qashqai Ti e-Power Highway Consumption: 5.1L per 100km

• Qashqai Petrol Combined Cycle: 6.1L per 100km (claimed) 

Is the Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power Practical and Spacious?

The Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power offers a super refined, feature-packed and spacious interior that makes it one of the most practical members of the small SUV segment.

Nissan certainly hasn’t skimped out on the interior presentation of the Qashqai in range-topping Ti form, which helps to quell concerns while spending extra for the flagship.

Step inside and there’s acres of headroom, even with the panoramic sunroof in place.

The seating position is relatively low-slung, though the power-adjustable driving position can be raised to get a better view of your surroundings.

Throw your elbows around and you’ll find all the important touchpoints have picked up plush and premium materials, including the sides of the centre console tunnel to avoid any knee banging.

There’s a lovely dark navy that adds a dark contrast with the black upholstery and we appreciate Nissan avoiding the temptation of engulfing the cabin with piano black trim that seems to dominate the market.

Instead, the centre console picks up a grey textured finish that looks pretty quality, though the gear lever is still piano black and will blind you on a sunny day.

While the cockpit layout is undeniably impressive, the Qashqai Ti e-Power doesn’t feature the same game-changing storage options that you’ll find in a bespoke electric vehicle.

Storage options are decent, but not outstanding for the segment.

There’s a large tray housing the wireless charger at the base of the dash, as well as two-tiered storage inside the centre armrest, a pair of cupholders, a glovebox and some compact bottle holders in the door sills.

That said, the ergonomics, the sturdy feel of the switchgear and clear attention to detail culminate in a top-notch experience in the front of the cabin, while physical dials remain in place for quick adjustments of the climate control system.

With the help of the massive panoramic sunroof which stretches way back into the second row, the Qashqai’s cabin feels airy and spacious, though the same can’t be said about the bulky C-pillar which eats up rear visibility and creates a massive rear three-quarter blind spot.

Move to the second row and things are pretty spacious for the small SUV segment.

Behind an average-sized driver, adults can sit comfortably without worrying too much about leg or headroom.

Sitting behind a taller driver, though, means that your knees might be tight against the seatback and you’ll be forced to ask the driver to scoot forward a little bit.

That said, it remains one of the most spacious members of the compact SUV segment which, in reality, is compromised as a whole when it comes to second-row accommodation, especially when it comes to width for three-abreast seating.

Amenities in the second row include a folding armrest with cupholders, a pair of USB charging ports, air vents and bottle holders in the door, while two pairs of ISOFIX anchors and top tether mounts on the seatbacks stand at the ready to lug around child seats. 

How Big is the Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power’s Boot?

One area that the Qashqai really stands out in the small SUV segment is its cargo-carrying potential.

In a market plagued with pint-sized boots, the Qashqai offers a very healthy 452L worth of luggage space in the rear, more than enough for a school run and a dash to the supermarket.

Fold down the rear seats and you’ll unlock 1,376L worth of boot space, making it an impressively practical little SUV.

The Qashqai picks up the same adjustable boot floor which allows you to squeeze some extra items underneath or keep the rear cargo cover stash away safely instead of just rolling around in the boot.

Opting for the Ti e-Power also means you’ll pick up a tyre mobility kit - a fancy term for a tyre repair kit- rather than a space-saver spare tyre, which is something to keep in mind for those living regionally or regularly tackling a long road trip.

• Boot Space: 452L

• Maximum Boot Space: 1,376L 

Is the Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power Safe?

Atop a jam-packed entertainment suite, the range-topping Qashqai comes with a lengthy safety equipment list.

The list includes forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking with junction assist, pedestrian and cyclist detection, as well as rear cross-traffic alerts, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assistance.

Buyers also pick up adaptive cruise control, a surround-view monitor with front & rear parking sensors, traffic sign detection, tyre pressure monitoring, curtain airbags and a parking assistant with side parking sensors.

Qashqai ST-L and Ti grades also come packaged with Nissan’s ProPilot system, which combines the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assistance systems for some relaxing highway cruising.

Put to the test, we found Nissan’s ProPilot system to be well calibrated, though quite conservative when it came to positioning you with a safer, left-hand preference within the lane.

This is great while cruising along, though we were fighting the wheel a little bit while overtaking and ended up turning it off altogether.

Does the Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Nissan Qashqai lineup wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating after 2021 testing saw it score the following marks.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 91%

• Child Occupant Protection: 93%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 74%

• Safety Assist: 97% 

What Warranty Does the Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power Come With?

Nissan offers the Qashqai range with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, while the hybrid system and its battery receive the same five-year warranty program.

Buyers also pick up five years' worth of 24-hour roadside assistance.

Nissan’s pre-paid servicing plans for the Qashqai e-Power range total $2,007 over the course of five years, while three years of servicing will set you back $1,152.

Service intervals for the e-Power range stand at a relatively short 12 months or 10,000-kilometres, which is down from the 15,000-kilometre service intervals in petrol-powered versions.

The trade-off here is that servicing costs for the e-Power range are $500 cheaper than their petrol-powered siblings.

Our Verdict: Is the Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power Worth it?

While it doesn’t offer buyers much of a ‘deal’, the Qashqai Ti e-Power is a quality compact SUV that, in many ways, over-delivers for the segment.

It’s a lovely place to sit, both in the front and rear of the cabin… the latter of which is difficult to say for a lot of small SUVs.

The jam-packed features list and sleek interior layout also mean you won’t be feeling too short-changed when upgrading to the flagship Qashqai.

Nissan’s hybrid system is delightful behind the wheel, though it’s worth noting that it’s not the most efficient system on the market.

Ironically, the benefits of the e-Power hybrid are how it feels on the road rather than outright fuel efficiency.

The pricing also puts it dangerously close to the larger, more practical and more capable X-Trail e-Power, making it a far less straightforward proposition.

As such, we think that the addition of the e-Power hybrid system in a lower trim grade would make for a seriously compelling offering in the small SUV space and will more than likely hit the market in the coming years.

Until then, buyers taking the plunge will not be disappointed with the Qashqai Ti e-Power’s smooth power delivery, excellent interior practicality and impressive levels of equipment and technology thrown in, though they are paying quite the premium.

Don’t forget that if you’re looking to upgrade, one of our car-buying specialists can help take the stress out of the process and even find you the best possible price.

Five Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. Front wheels are driven by electric motor producing 140kW/330Nm

3. 5.2L per 100km fuel economy figures (down from 6.1L/100km in regular Qashqai)

4. 452 - 1,376L boot space figures

5. Five-star ANCAP safety rating