Hybrid boost for 2026 Nissan QASHQAI e-POWER

The 2026 Nissan QASHQAI has been unwrapped, with the mid-size SUV benefiting from the Japanese car-maker’s third-generation e-POWER hybrid tech.

According to Nissan the re-engineered hybrid delivers more power but gets even better fuel efficiency, lower emissions and enhanced levels of refinement.

Like before, the e-POWER is centred around a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine that adopts Nissan’s latest ‘STARC combustion cycle’ that increases thermal efficiency by as much as 42 per cent.

Engineers have also slotted in a larger turbo that delivers lower revs at highway speeds.

Other changes include adding a new, more efficient lubrication system that extends service intervals from 15,000km to 20,000km.

The icing on the cake is that average fuel consumption drops to 4.5L/100km on the WLTP test cycle, while CO2 emissions drop from 116g/km to 102g/km.

Meanwhile in real-world conditions fuel consumption is said to be 16 per cent better than the current car, with a 14 per cent improvement recorded at highway speeds.

Better still, overall power is up by 11kW to 151kW, which should see an improvement on the current car’s 0-100km/h sprint of 7.9 seconds.

As well as being quicker, Nissan said the new powertrain is up to 5.6 decibels quieter than before.

It’s thought the same e-POWER hybrid will also be rolled out in the X-TRAIL SUV, where it will be reconfigured to offer all-wheel drive.

Nissan says the e-POWER powertrain has been developed to be 20 per cent cheaper to produce, hinting at lower prices. Said to be entering production before the end of the year, it’s thought the new Nissan QASHQAI e-POWER will be introduced in Australia in early 2026, with pricing and full details released closer to its launch.

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