Bigger, bolder new Nissan QASHQAI breaks out

The all-new 2021 Nissan QASHQAI has made its global premiere following a long teaser campaign, presenting a fresh exterior design, more interior space and new technologies including electrified drivetrains.

Punctuated by a striking new LED lighting signature, the third-generation compact SUV follows in the wheel tracks of the second-generation Nissan JUKE released last year.

The 2021 Nissan QASHQAI will arrive in Australia in the first quarter of next year – before the larger fourth-generation Nissan X-TRAIL lands here around mid-year, and shortly after the larger-still fifth-generation Nissan Pathfinder lobs in early 2022.

The arrival of three all-new Nissan models (not counting next month’s facelifted Navara ute) over the next year or so will give the Japanese car-maker an almost completely renewed SUV line-up, including the range-topping Patrol, which was recently facelifted and will score the hard-core Warrior treatment later this year.

For now, apart from our first look at the sleek new QASHQAI, there’s not much more we can tell you about Nissan’s latest answer to the Mitsubishi ASX, Hyundai Kona and Honda HR-V (a new version of which was also revealed today) beyond what we’ve already reported.

Tonight’s Euro-centric press material focused on the new QASHQAI’s electrified engines, including 1.3-litre mild-hybrid and 1.5-litre e-POWER hybrid powertrains.

carsales understands that while the latter is on the cards to join the Australian range later next year, the new QASHQAI will launch with a non-electrified version of Europe’s 1.3-litre turbo-petrol mild-hybrid engine.

In Europe, the new QASHQAI will be powered by 103kW and 116kW versions of the electrified engine, matched to either a six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT) and both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations.

It adds a small lithium-ion battery and 12-volt electrical system that allows a coasting/engine-cut function, engine stop-start, regenerative braking/deceleration and gives a 6Nm torque boost when required.

The new Nissan QASHQAI e-POWER, meantime, is powered by an unusual non-plug-in hybrid system that employs a 113kW 1.5-litre petrol engine as a generator to recharge the battery, which powers a 140kW/330Nm electric motor to drive the front wheels.

Nissan describes the e-POWER set-up as “a unique solution that combines the enjoyable, seamless, linear acceleration which is characteristic of an EV, but without the need for charging”.

Like the pure-electric Nissan LEAF, the Nissan QASHQAI e-POWER will come with an e-Pedal mode that allows for efficient one-pedal operation, with acceleration blended with strong regenerative braking when you lift off the throttle.

Other new technologies we already knew about include a 9.0-inch touch-screen infotainment system (with obligatory Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity) and a customisable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, all supported by a 10.8-inch head-up display providing information on speed, navigation and the new safety systems.

These include an upgraded ProPILOT driver assistance suite (now with Navi-link), which can now brake and accelerate the vehicle from standstill within a single-lane on a highway, adapt the car’s velocity to lower speed limits and use the navigation system to adjust approach speeds for bends and blind-spot radars to prevent a lane-change manoeuvre if there is a vehicle in the blind-spot zone by intervening with steering correction.

Other upgrades include a ‘flank protection’ warning that helps avoid scrapes with objects in urban situations, an improved Moving Object Detection system that stops the car if a moving obstacle is detected nearby, and predictive Intelligent Forward Emergency Braking, which uses radar to read the road beyond the car in front to detect and react if a vehicle suddenly brakes.

Also new is a front-centre airbag, a bigger wireless phone charger, wireless Apple CarPlay, in-car WiFi for up to seven devices, 3D Maps & Live Traffic (including over-the-air map updates, real-time traffic conditions, Google Street View and fuel prices), front and rear USB-A and USB-C ports and massaging seats.

Also available will be intelligent LED headlights divided into 12 individual elements that selectively deactivate upon detection of an oncoming vehicle and adjust the beam to avoid dazzling oncoming road users.

Based on the latest Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance CMF-C platform, the new QASHQAI employs an aluminium bonnet, doors and front fenders, a composite tailgate and advanced stamping and welding techniques that make its body in white 60kg lighter and 41 per cent stiffer than before, bringing “refinement, ride comfort and driving response from a higher segment”, says Nissan.

Two rear suspension systems will be offered alongside the MacPherson strut front set-up and upgraded power steering system: a torsion beam for the less-powerful front-drive models and a multi-link set-up for more expensive X-Tronic AWD versions.

The new Nissan QASHQAI rides on a 20mm-longer wheelbase and overall is about 35mm longer, 32mm wider and 10mm higher than the model it replaces, allowing for 22mm more rear kneeroom and 28mm more front shoulder-room.

Front and rear headroom has been increased by 15mm and boot space now extends to 504 litres with the rear seats up – 50L more than the current QASHQAI.

For AWD models, wheel sizes up to 20-inch will be offered for the first time (up from 19-inch) and 11 paint colours will be available alongside five two-tone combinations for a total of 16 variations.

Nissan has sold more than three million QASHQAIs since the original model was launched in 2007. As with the two previous generations, the new model was designed at Nissan’s European Design Studio in London.