Nissan QASHQAI – What you need to know

The third-generation Nissan QASHQAI arrived in Australia in 2023, taking a big step up in cabin accommodation, refinement, safety and technology.

Designed, engineered and built in the UK, the Nissan QASHQAI five-seater small SUV is offered in four trim levels starting with the ST and climbing through the ST+, ST-L and Ti.

Up until early in 2024, the entire QASHQAI range was powered by 1.3-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, driving the front wheels through an Xtronic continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

At the top of the range, there’s also now the availability of the Nissan QASHQAI e-POWER, which uses a range-extender hybrid powertrain and is available at launch only in the flagship Ti model grade.

The QASHQAI opens at $33,890 plus on-road costs and tops out at $51,590 plus ORCs.

At the entry level, the QASHQAI ST has the following equipment as standard:

• 8.0-inch infotainment colour touch-screen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
• Adaptive cruise control
• Air-conditioning
• Selectable drive modes
• Rear-view camera
• 17-inch alloy wheels

Magnetic Blue is the only shade in the Nissan QASHQAI exterior colour palette that comes as a no-cost option.

For the others – Pearl Black, Ceramic Grey, Gun Metallic, Fuji Sunset Red, Burgundy, Ivory Pearl and Platinum – you’ll have to pay $700.

However, if the snazzy two-tone look grabs your attention with its different roof colour, it’ll add $500 to the bottom line, including Magnetic Blue.

Every Nissan QASHQAI model variant has a high level of safety technology fitted standard.

The list runs to a rear-view camera, rear parking sensors, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with junction, pedestrian and cyclist detection, forward collision warning, lane departure warning/intervention, blind spot intervention, traffic sign recognition and rear cross traffic alert with rear automatic braking.

There’s also adaptive cruise control, high beam assist on the automatic LED headlights, a tyre pressure monitoring system, rear seat/rear door alerts and seven airbags including a centre front airbag.

Stepping up to the ST+ gains you a 360-degree surround-view monitor with moving object detection, plus rain-sensing windscreen wipers.

As well as the LED headlights with auto high beam, every QASHQAI variant scores LED tail-lights and LED daytime running lights. The ST-L and Ti grades have more sophisticated Matrix adaptive headlights, as well as signature rear lamps. The ST also misses out on LED fog lights.

The ST-L introduces an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, front parking sensors and higher-grade driver-assist tech including stop-and-go with the active cruise control.

Self-parking with side sensors is available, but only on the range-topping Ti.

The entire Nissan QASHQAI range scores a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing conducted in 2022.

Infotainment tech has advanced in the latest Nissan QASHQAI, the ST featuring a new 8.0-inch central touch-screen while the ST+, ST-L and Ti come with a larger 12.3-inch display.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity is included, the latter wired in ST models and wireless from ST+ upwards. All models have AM, FM and digital radio, as well as Bluetooth phone and music streaming.

Satellite navigation kicks in with the ST+ and a wireless smartphone charging pad is included from ST-L.

The ST, ST+ and ST-L come a six-speaker audio system, leaving the top-spec Ti to feature a 10-speaker Bose audio unit with a subwoofer and digital amp.

Keeping your phone charged, especially with teenagers on board, is a must and the QASHQAI has USB-A and USB-C ports in the front and rear.

A 7.0-inch TFT display is provided in the instrument binnacle of ST, ST+ and ST-L variants, with the Ti scoring a 12.3-inch digital cluster with six configurations. The Ti also features a head-up display.

Keeping you comfortable in our varying climate is manual air-conditioning in the ST and ST+ versions of the new Nissan QASHQAI, stepping up to dual-zone climate control in the ST-L and Ti.

All QASHQAI models have rear air vents and, for a sporty touch, all versions include selectable drive modes, (Eco, Standard and Sport) and gearshift paddles behind the multi-function steering wheel.

Four bottle holders come standard as does a pair of cup holders in all variants, and there’s another two cup holders added to the rear arm rest of the ST-L, plus a centre console tray insert.

Everybody loves the superior look and feel of leather and the ST and ST+ have black accented leather on the dash, door trims and arm rests with contrasting charcoal cloth seats.

Signing up for the ST-L as a minimum gets you blue/black accented leather monoform seats, the driver’s seat being powered, along with dual-tone dash, door trim and front arm rest.

Also introduced with the ST-L is rear privacy glass, a heated leather-accented steering wheel, ambient console lighting, roof rails and auto-levelling adaptive Matrix headlights.

Take a step up to the Ti and enjoy the exclusiveness of premium blue/black quilted leather monoform seats, blue/black accented dash, door trim and front arm rest, a black roof lining and panoramic glass roof with power sunshade.

Sticking with the Ti, the heated front seats also boast a massage function, powered four-way lumbar support, eight-way powered front passenger and driver seats, the latter with memory function.

The Ti also has a handy divide-and-hide cargo floor so you can hide items under the floor, while a hands-free powered tailgate and auto-folding door mirrors that tilt when reversing are similarly the exclusive domain of the top-spec model grade.

Distinguishing each QASHQAI are the alloy wheels; on the ST they are 17-inch, the ST+ has 18-inch rim and the ST-L and Ti have 19-inch hoops. All turbo-petrol models have a temporary spare, while the e-POWER hybrid makes do with a tyre repair kit.

The QASHQAI e-POWER Ti also has a premium front grille and unique badging, along with active noise cancellation, vehicle sound to alert pedestrians, regenerative braking and e-Pedal Step, which allows for one-pedal driving.

Nissan QASHQAI engine, transmission and drive layout choices

Across all model grades, the Nissan QASHQAI is powered by a 1.3-litre direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.

Running on premium 95 RON fuel, the turbo-petrol engine produces 110kW of power at 5500rpm and 250Nm of torque from 1600-3750rpm. It drives the front wheels through an Xtronic continuously variable transmission and returns official combined-cycle fuel economy of 6.1L/100km.

The hybrid powertrain in the QASHQAI e-POWER Ti uses a front axle-mounted electric motor and a small 1.8kWh battery pack that receive energy from a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine (116kW/250Nm), which also runs on premium unleaded but doesn’t have a direct connection to the driven wheels.

The combined system output is 140kW and 340Nm, with the front wheels driven by the e-motor via a single-speed reduction gear. Economy is rated at 5.2L/100km.

Although bigger than the previous generation, the latest Nissan QASHQAI still slots into the small SUV segment and, based on the ST model, measures 4425mm long, 1835mm wide and 1625mm high. The wheelbase is 2665mm.

The boot capacity is 429 litres when the 60/40-split folding rear seats are in place, extending to a maximum 1524L when the seats are down.

The e-POWER hybrid has 452L of cargo space with the rear seats upright, helped by the lack of a spare wheel, while maximum volume is 1376L.

The turbo-petrol models have a maximum braked towing capacity of 1500kg, however the e-POWER hybrid is restricted to 750kg.

There’s a lot to like about the new Nissan QASHQAI, wherever you turn your attention, but in terms of bang for your buck the gold medal goes to the ST+ with its high levels of comfort and convenience features and excellent arsenal of safety kit for the money.

But the premium look and feel of the Ti appeal enormously to me. You can add to the equation its quilted leather seats with massage function, blue/black leather throughout the cabin and supreme audio and infotainment systems to keep everyone entertained.

On the practical side, you also get the full spread of safety features, and I reckon Magnetic Blue looks fabulous.

The turbo-petrol engine is sufficient but not the strongest attribute of the QASHQAI, so take a look at the new e-POWER hybrid with its extra performance and higher efficiency.

How much does the 2024 Nissan QASHQAI cost?
ST – $33,890
ST+ – $37,890
ST-L – $42,190
Ti – $47,390
e-POWER Ti – $51,590
*Prices exclude on-road costs