New Nissan QASHQAI range confirmed

The Australian model range and specs have been revealed today for the incoming new Nissan QASHQAI, with the third-generation small SUV arriving early next year with a high specification but no hybrid powertrain option until late 2022.

Customer reservations will open up this month for the 2022 Nissan QASHQAI that’s due to reach showrooms next March with improvements in virtually every area, from design and cabin tech through to engine performance and the use of a multi-link rear suspension across the range.

The latter was confirmed today by Nissan Australia, although another major drawcard – the e-POWER range-extending hybrid powertrain – will not be available until the final quarter of next year, some nine months after launch.

For now, the 2022 QASHQAI will launch with a new 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 110kW of power (at 5500rpm) and 250Nm of torque (at 1600rpm).

It combines with a new CVT automatic transmission (with Eco, Normal and Sport drive modes), and as well as offering more power and torque than the current 2.0-litre petrol engine (106kW/200Nm), the 1.3 turbo is said to be more economical, returning 6.1L/100km on the combined cycle compared to 6.9L/100km on the 2.0-litre.

As we saw at the unveiling of the new QASHQAI in February, the redesigned small SUV is based on the latest Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance CMF-C platform and is bigger, yet lighter, than the current model.

Two rear suspension systems were developed for the new Nissan QASHQAI, both with MacPherson struts up front but with the rear-end designs featuring either a basic torsion beam or more sophisticated multi-link set-up.

However, Nissan Australia has confirmed that the multi-link design will be employed across the range, which it says delivers “class-leading poise and comfort”.

As we found in our first overseas drive recently, the new QASHQAI improves in almost every area.

Nissan is still yet to reveal pricing, but expect an increase on the current range that starts at $30,590 plus on-road costs for the auto-equipped ST base model and tops out at $39,090 for the flagship Ti.

In the meantime, the company has detailed the local model range and equipment highlights.

The familiar model grades of ST, ST+, ST-L and Ti will all carry over into the new 2022 Nissan QASHQAI at launch, with significant equipment upgrades across the board.

Equipment highlights on the ST include 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and daytime running lights (DRLs), rear spoiler, 8.0-inch infotainment unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six-speaker audio system and 7.0-inch driver’s instrument cluster.

Next up, the ST+ features 18-inch alloys, LED fog lights, automatic wipers, a larger 9.0-inch touch-screen with navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay, and a 360-degree parking camera with Moving Object Detection.

The ST-L has 19-inch alloy wheels, tinted windows, Adaptive Driving Beam headlights, roof rails and LED indicators, while cabin highlights extend to wireless phone charging, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heating for both front positions and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. 

At the top end, the QASHQAI Ti adds a panoramic sunroof, unique rear bumper finisher, black headliner, ambient interior lighting, Intelligent Park Assist, an even larger 12.3-inch instrument cluster, 10.8-inch colour head-up display, 10-speaker Bose sound system and a motion-activated tailgate.

The seats in the QASHQAI Ti are also trimmed in a 3D quilted premium leather, with memory and massage functions for both front occupants.

Every 2022 Nissan QASHQAI will come equipped with Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility safety suite, bringing autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and junction detection, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane assist, blind spot monitoring, driver attention alert, rear seat alert, high beam assist, rear cross traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors and reversing camera.

The small SUV will also include a centre-front airbag for the first time that protects against head-clash between the driver and front passenger in the event of a crash.

Nissan’s advanced ProPILOT system, which offers active cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, is reserved for ST-L and Ti models.

Related: Nissan QASHQAI 2022 Review
Related: New Nissan QASHQAI to debut e-POWER tech in Oz