Nissan refresh Qashqai with updated tech and safety features

After four million sales globally (60,000 of them in Ireland), Nissan's refreshed Qashqai is likely to be the last iteration of the compact crossover before an electric version comes on stream in late 2026 or early 2027.

In the meantime, the facelifted version will be on offer but not with a diesel option, even though some of Nissan’s closest competitors are still keeping their options open in this regard.

Instead, Qashqai buyers are being offered either the e-Power version or a mild-hybrid one, as Nissan eyes up the continuing popularity of hybrid technology with new car buyers.

The e-Power system harnesses energy from a 1.5 petrol engine, whose function then is to charge a battery, which in turn drives the car’s wheels. In other words, the engine is only there to charge the battery, as required.

There’s no plug-in charging required.

The mild hybrid version uses a more limited system that uses energy generated by braking, for example, to give some hybrid functionality. It uses a 1.3 litre engine.

Both versions offer efficient, if unexciting, driving, with the e-Power giving a good return on fuel consumption.

The changes to the revised model are modest - the overall design remaining distinctly familiar but still modern enough - and there are notable improvements on the tech side.

There's a new front grille and narrow LED headlights that Nissan says can make fog lights redundant and the rear has also been revised, again with narrow LED light strips. It’s a lot sharper now.

Interior trim has also been improved and the alcantara material used on some fancy sofas that is available in some versions of the new car looks particularly well.

The refreshed Qashqai now has, as standard, Google Maps and Google Assistant for access to several apps. This allows the driver to use voice commands for several functions and is impressive to use. Selecting a destination on Google Maps without having to touch the screen was a pretty flawless experience. The system significantly reduces driver distraction.

Cameras have been increased to eight for a 3D view of the entire area around the car and even identified a rather startled cat for me.

Standard equipment on all versions includes alloy wheels, the LED headlights, auto headlights with high beam assist, and rain sensing wipers. You’ll also get rear parking sensors, blind spot warning and intervention, traffic sign recognition, intelligent cruise control, intelligent forward collision warning, front emergency braking along with pedestrian, cyclist and junction assist warning systems.

There are different equipment grades to choose from but the starting price for the 1.3 mild hybrid is €39,900. You can also pay extra for a CVT automatic gearbox system.

The e-POWER starts at €45,000, with the automatic system as standard and there are other versions with more features as you move up the grades.

- Words by Donal Byrne, video by Leah Carroll