Range change, facelift, tech top-up – it’s all happening for the Qashqai compact Nissan SUV . . . all, except the price which remains similar to the previous model, giving a nudge to rivals from Japan and China.
Nissan has shuffled the pack, with new nomenclature in line with the company’s larger SUVs, and the range extended to six by the addition of an N-Design flagship, featuring the innovative e-Power powertrain.
Upgrades, designed to make a more striking impression, stretch across the whole range from the entry-level ST, where prices start at $32,665, plus on-road costs. The ST-L adds $5000, the Ti comes in at $42,965 and Ti-L $48,165.
Nissan’s Ti-L e-Power jumps to $52,365, while the N-Design e-Power tops off the range at $54,365. On test for this review is the mid-spec Ti, sandwiched between the ST-L and Ti-L petrol variants. Priced at $42,965 before on-roads.
Notably, changes for the facelifted five-seater don’t extend to mechanicals. The Qashqai continues to be offered with the choice of a turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a turbo three-cylinder paired with Nissan’s e-Power hybrid system.
The MY25 Qashqai does introduce Nissan’s Connected Car Services in Australia, giving owners mobile access to key vehicle information, including health and status reports, trip history and vehicle variations.
Qashqais are covered by Nissan’s generous ten-year 300,000-kilometre conditional
warranty, plus roadside assistance for a similar period. Capped price servicing (with conditions) is available for the first five years.
STYLING
The new Qashqai design language, says Nissan, is punctuated by ‘commas’ kicked off up front by high gloss, 3-D comma-shaped elements appearing to float between the bonnet lip and number plate.
Flanking this space, on some grades, the ‘commas’ are finished in a ‘satin chrome’ foil stamp. New headlamps add a sharper look, while daytime running lights below the lens ape the commas of the main grille and join up with a thin light harking back to the previous Qashqai.
The upper DRL becomes the turn indicator when called on, latter featuring dynamic operation at the front and rear of the vehicle, depending on the grade. The elements out back copy the front grille commas with their distinctive ‘super red’ shade and clear lenses.
Nissan has wheeled out a string of designs and sizes, starting with 17-inch alloys for the ST, 18-inch diamond cut alloy wheels adorn the ST-L, the Ti gets 19-inch alloys, while the Ti-L and new N-Design feature new 20-inch diamond-cut wheel designs.
Three new colours have been added to the Qashqai spectrum, including Pearl White, Black Onyx and Deep Ocean. On top of everything, there is an option of a black roof on Ti grade and above.
INTERIOR
‘Elevated’ is the word the maker likes to use in reference to the 2025 Qashqai. The cabin comes in for particular note for the cabin with its ‘upscale ambience’ centred on new patterned materials on the centre console and insert between the dashboard and glovebox.
The Ti is dressed up by Alcantara on the dash, door inserts and armrests, centre console storage lid and knee pads. Another dimension is applied by ambient lighting of a range of colours.
Seats are PVC and leather accented, the front heated, with the driver boasting an eight-way power adjustable position with memory function, the passenger with lumbar support.
Cargo space out back in the five-seater is 479 litres with seat backs raised, rising to 1422 litres with them folded. Powertrain equipment leaves room only for a temporary spare.
INFOTAINMENT
From the ST up the Qashqai is fitted with a 12.3-inch centre-mounted touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a similar-size TFT Advanced Drive Assist display instrument cluster.
The MY25 generation debuts Nissan Connected Car Services in Australia. By downloading the Nissan Connect app owners are given access to their vehicle’s ‘health’ and status information and trip history. Theft and tow alerts are also included.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
As with the previous model, the newbie calls on one of two powertrains. One pairs a 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine (110kW/250Nm) with CVT transmission. Three drive modes – standard, eco and sport – add to ride and handling versatility.
Also available is Nissan’s clever e-Power set-up, comprising a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol unit, with a power generator, inverter and electric motor, delivering a combined output of 140kW and 330Nm.
Nissan’s e-Pedal Step and regenerative braking has the e-Power behaving like a full electric EV, leaving the internal combustion engine only to charge the battery.
SAFETY
The Qashqai attracts a five-star rating from ANCAP’s 2021 testing. Standard features include seven airbags, including front-centre, while autonomous emergency braking features pedestrian and cyclist detection, plus junction assist.
Also across the range are active speed limiter, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision and lane departure warning, lane keep assist, rear parking sensors, reversing camera, traffic sign recognition and tyre pressure monitor.
The Ti e-Power provides 360-degree camera, moving object detection, front parking sensors, ProPILOT lane centring, alarm system, intelligent park assist (semi-auto park) and side parking sensors.
DRIVING
The Qashqai chassis is set up on the sporty side, the stiff suspension competing with the softer clubby surrounds in a cabin that well insulates occupants from engine and road noise.
Handling and steering feedback are positive, the latter, however, subject to jarring on bigger bumps in the bitumen. Turbo torque is enough to give handy acceleration, something that often plagues CVT-equipped models.
Nissan rates Qashqai Ti fuel consumption on the combined urban/highway cycle at between 5.8 and 6.1 litres per 100 kilometres. The test vehicle recorded 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres on the motorway and nine to ten litres per 100 kilometres in day-to-day city and suburban work. Premium unleaded petrol (95 RON) is recommended by the maker.
Not surprisingly, Drive Mode going ranges from eco (laidback), normal (down to business) to sport (added pep).
SUMMARY
With upgrades at no extra cost and warranty out to ten years the handsome Qashqai deserves to be on anybody’s shortlist (sorry!) for a small SUV
RATINGS
Looks: 8
Performance: 6
Safety: 7
Thirst: 6
Practicality: 7
Comfort: 6
Tech: 7
Value: 8
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
Qashqai ST $32,665
Qashqai ST-L $37,665
Qashqai Ti $42,965
Qashqai Ti-L $48,165
Qashqai Ti-L e-Power $52,365
Qashqai N-Design e-Power $54,365
Note: These prices do not include government of dealer delivery charges. Contact your Nissan local dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Nissan Qashqai Ti 1.3-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrol, CVT, FWD, SUV)
ENGINE
Configuration: four cylinders inline
Maximum power 110kW @ 5500rpm
Maximum torque: 250Nm @ 1600-3750rpm
Fuel type: Premium unleaded 95 RON
Combined fuel cycle: (ADR 81/02) 5.8-6.1L/100km
CO2 emissions 134-138g/km
DRIVELINE: CVT, FWD
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 4425mm
Width: 1836mm
Height: 1625mm
Wheelbase: 2665mm:
Turning circle: 11.1m
Kerb weight: 1487kg
Fuel tank: 55L
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Ventilated disc
STANDARD WARRANTY
Ten years / 300,000 kilometres (conditional)
Capped price servicing five years
Roadside assist 10 years
