by It’s not a conventional hybrid car, but not an electric vehicle that needs recharging from external sources. So what’s interesting about the Nissan Qashqai e-POWER, which reminded me of the blackout times and power outages. Why? Because this Qashqai is a generator on one side and an Ecoflow on the other… In a world where electrified cars are becoming increasingly popular, Nissan decided to go further and introduce the new model Nissan Qashqai e-Power to the market. By the way, in the first quarter of this year, for the first time in the history of car building, the Tesla Model Y outsold not only electric vehicles but also ICE cars. We are talking about the Tesla Model Y, which took the title of the world’s most popular car from the Toyota Corolla. And this new electrified Qashqai may be the model that will change your perception of hybrid and electric cars. After all, this crossover combines the best qualities of an electric car with the versatility and practicality of a traditional gasoline car. The main feature of the Nissan Qashqai e-Power is its powertrain, which uses e-Power technology. It’s not a full electric motor, but a combination of a gasoline engine and an electric drive. The electric motor is powered solely by the battery, which is charged by the gasoline engine. In fact, you get the benefits of an electric car (such as instant response to the gas pedal and silent operation) without the need to charge it from an external source. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about ‘not reaching’ a charging station because the 1.5-liter gasoline engine acts as a generator. And in this case, the phrase ‘the quieter you drive, the further you’ll go’ is very appropriate because fuel consumption and range depend greatly on driving style. The claimed figures say that in a mixed cycle, the Qashqai e-Power consumes 5.2 liters of gasoline. But I tried a ‘boring’ driving scheme and achieved even better results – 4.2 liters in city/highway mode at speeds up to 120 km/h. I believe that better results can be achieved if desired. If you drive ‘full throttle’, average consumption can easily reach 8 liters of fuel. As for the dynamic characteristics, the claimed acceleration to 100 km/h is 7.9 seconds. This is not little, but not much – quite enough for comfortable overtaking and start from traffic lights. However, it still depends on the selected mode. My favorite is Standard, when both power and fuel consumption are adequate. In Eco mode, the car is too ‘vegetative’ – gas pedal response is too sluggish. In Sport mode – on the contrary, but it should be understood that fuel consumption increases proportionally. It is worth mentioning the e-Pedal separately. When choosing this mode, the car will brake every time (but not to a complete stop) when you release the gas pedal. When you get used to it, it works out very conveniently, and it allows you to maximize energy recuperation. By the way, there is also an EV mode – in this case, the car will be forced to run exclusively on electric power, albeit at low speed (this function is for the city and traffic jams). Premiumness And although we have Nissan in front of us, in terms of equipment and comfort, it is perceived more like an Infiniti. Again, this is helped by the smoothness, excellent noise insulation, and quality interior trim. All this, together with the powerful security systems, creates a sense of premiumness. The color ‘Nardo Grey’, which is particularly fashionable today, also adds a special charm, although it was pioneered by VAG back in 2017, giving it the name Nardo Grey. By the way, the electrified Qashqai has visual differences from the ICE version, namely white logos and a modified radiator grille with a black glossy strip. The exterior of the Nissan Qashqai e-Power remains true to the roots of its model, looking modern and elegant. Its distinctive features, such as the large V-Motion radiator grille, dynamic roofline, and massive wheel arches, give it a sporty and stylish look. The Nissan Qashqai e-Power interior is traditionally comfortable and quite spacious. The comfort of the seats and ample legroom provide convenience for passengers both in the front and rear seats. Advantages of Nissan Qashqai e-Power: Economic efficiency: the e-Power system allows fuel savings, providing significant savings. Environmental cleanliness: reduced CO2 emissions and reduced fuel consumption. Quick response: electric drive ensures instant response to the gas pedal and smooth movement. Enhanced safety: Qashqai e-Power is equipped with advanced safety systems such as stability control system, collision warning system, road sign recognition system, blind spot monitoring system, etc. Hybrid mobility: the combination of electric car advantages with the ease of refueling with fuel makes the Nissan Qashqai e-Power convenient and ready for long-distance travel. Disadvantages of Nissan Qashqai e-Power: Cost. You can buy an electrified Qashqai in Ukraine for a price ranging from 1.5 to 1.77 million hryvnias. But this is not so much a disadvantage as a fee for technologies that ensure economy and environmental friendliness. The luggage shelf is too ‘wooden,’ so when driving on uneven surfaces, you can hear ‘crickets’ from the luggage compartment. The batteries located under the floor protrude quite significantly, which actually reduces the ground clearance, although its specifications are 175 mm.
