2026 Nissan Qashqai line-up will be all-hybrid

Nissan has confirmed the Qashqai small SUV will be offered exclusively with e-Power hybrid technology from 2026, phasing out the petrol-only variants as the brand accelerates its electrification plans. 

The shift comes as hybrid sales continue to boom in Australia and show no signs of slowing, and echoes Toyota’s successful strategy where its entire passenger and road-bias SUV range is now hybrid-only. 

But unlike conventional hybrids which blend petrol and electric propulsion, Nissan’s e-Power system is a ‘series hybrid’ in that the petrol engine never drives the wheels directly, instead acting solely as a generator for the battery, which powers the electric motor that turns the wheels.  

The end result, in Nissan’s eyes, is the instant torque delivery and smoothness of an EV without making the leap away from petrol stations.  

As one of the brand’s most popular nameplates, the Qashqai seems like a good place to start the transition – Nissan says Qashqai customers are already gravitating to higher-grade e-Power models, so the transition to an all-hybrid line-up is both a logical step and a reflection of where buyer demand already lies.  

It also means the next-generation Qashqai could launch with a higher starting price than today’s petrol models, since e-Power has so far been reserved for the Ti and above.  

Until last month, it was a top-spec exclusive, and it’s still unclear if Nissan will trickle the tech down to cheaper variants. 

“Australian drivers have spoken clearly through their purchasing decisions, particularly in higher-grade models – demonstrating clear preference for the smooth, efficient, and refined EV-like driving experience that e-Power delivers,” Nissan Australia product and retail campaign deputy director Warwick Daly said. 

The company's oceanic managing director, Andrew Humberstone, added: “We want to go just e-Poiwer. Because we see that opportunity and try and not be everything for everybody, but actually be very structured and strategic about what we’re doing.” 

The updated Qashqai e-Power will land in Australian showrooms in the first half of 2026, with Nissan is positioning it as its spearhead for mainstream electrification. 

Pricing will be the big detail to watch. Today, e-Power is only offered from the mid-spec Ti ($47,165) upwards, meaning the switch to hybrid-only could lift the entry point for buyers.  

Nissan hasn’t confirmed pricing yet, but acknowledges the line-up will change shape when petrol models disappear. 

For now though, the focus is on giving Australians a more efficient, refined Qashqai that slots neatly into a rapidly growing hybrid market, while laying the groundwork for Nissan’s broader electrification plans.

Related: Cheaper Nissan Qashqai e-POWER arrives

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Related: Nissan Qashqai Ti 2025 Review

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