Nissan Qashqai – e-POWER to the people

THE name may suggest a 100 per cent electric vehicle but Nissan’s inventive e-POWER technology may be the perfect solution for drivers still unprepared for the full EV experience.

Available as part of the latest Qashqai crossover line-up, e-POWER works in a different way to its mild hybrid stablemates.

It uses a petrol engine and lithium-ion battery to generate electricity and drive the wheels, so the response is similar to that of an electric car with instant torque and without the need to plug it in.

Tailpipe emissions are lower than a combustion engine car, as are running costs, and e-POWER also uses regenerative braking to keep the battery topped up.

The result is not only the fastest, most powerful Qashqai you can buy but also the most efficient – in fact the nearest thing to a full electric car without actually buying one.

As long-time admirers of hybrid cars this innovation from Nissan, which is also available on the larger X-Trail range, represents another effective option for those of us still harbouring range anxiety concerns or home charging issues.

Qashqais are satisfying cars to drive anyway and e-POWER versions are no exception. All have automatic transmission and feel smooth, refined, composed and spirited with a 0-62mph acceleration time of 7.9 seconds en route to a potential 105mph top speed.

In fact the only slightly weird bit concerns the sound, because the 1.5-litre three cylinder engine isn’t driving the car but merely charging the battery, though it’s something you quickly become accustomed to.

But no one could grumble about economy, as the e-POWER can return an average 53.3 miles per gallon compared to the 44.1mpg of other mild hybrid Qashqai variants, which use a 1.3-litre petrol engine.

It means the Qashqai should be able to travel 644 miles on a tank of fuel compared to the regular model’s 526 miles.

Qashqai e-POWER comes in Acenta Premium, N-Connecta, Tekna and Tekna + trim grades with prices starting from £34,020.

Our tested model in next to top spec Tekna grade cost £39,210 and came highly kitted out with the likes of 19-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, a powered tailgate, head-up display, wireless phone charging pad and a 360-degree colour camera all as standard.

Designed, engineered and built in Britain, the third generation Qashqai also ticks virtually every box when it comes to family-friendly features.

Everything in the cabin is simply laid out with traditional rotary dials, sculpted seats and plenty of stowage options like cup-holders front and back, a deep lidded central container, a glovebox, gaping door bins plus a rubber matted tray below the dash.

You also get a 12.3-inch NissanConnect display screen with layouts for entertainment, sat nav and traffic or vehicle info plus DAB radio, Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Headroom and space for legs is first class all round and three adult passengers can seat comfortably across the back, where the rear seats split and fold flat 60:40 and the large boot is split level.

Safety is also paramount and includes features like forward collision warning, emergency braking, cruise control, lane intervention, parking sensors, blind spot warning and moving object detection.

For those who are starting to lean towards an electric vehicle but don’t want the anxiety or faff, e-POWER seems more than just a halfway house – it’s a sensible, stylish and cost effective option.