Nissan Qashqai with e-power drive in appearance test: consume electricity, refuel

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Nissan’s Qashqai is the culprit. Because the Japanese automaker’s best-selling product kicked off the crossover trend in Europe with the first generation in 2006. 17 years ago, you hardly knew how to pronounce it, and before we started, designer Stephane Schwarz slept “very, very badly” in anticipation of possible reactions. But today, models like the Qashqai have already taken over all segments.

The current third generation is now getting innovative again, with a new top version that is all-electric but generates its electricity via a built-in petrol engine. It sounds energetically ridiculous – does it work in practice?

Yes, electric drive, but small battery: With the drive called E-Power, Nissan saves on a big, heavy and expensive battery and charging socket – especially when renters often don’t have a charging option anyway. Instead, the 190 hp (140 kW) electric motor in the front ash is powered by a turbocharged petrol engine and a connected generator. The internal combustion engine delivers 158 hp (116 kW) and produces only electricity – there is no mechanical linkage to the wheels as with Honda’s hybrid system.

A small buffer battery with a capacity of 2.1 kilowatt-hours (kWh) closes the performance gap between the gasoline engine and the electric motor. If the power from 158 hp is not enough, it supplements the energy gained through recovery. This creates a feeling of electricity when driving – the Qashqai responds to pedal commands with lightning speed. It can also be driven like a Stromer in single-pedal mode: After pressing a button, it comes to a stop when you take your foot off the accelerator.

This Nissan is the car equivalent of the white Swiss built-in kitchen in the block apartment: it works, looks good with anyone, and can do just about anything. In the cockpit, the balance between digital and analog operation is convincing; Seating position, overview and space are top notch, and the materials of the top version look classier than some of its competitors. And the trunk is more generous than usual in the segment. Nobody needs more cars.

Assistant systems that actually support intervention instead of bothering you by being bossy also get plus points. The driving behavior is just as relaxed: the Qashqai springs and damps very well, steers precisely without looking too rough, and rolls with a quietly humming combustion engine. convincing.

Up to the next mountain: If the battery discharges on longer climbs, it will sound audibly louder from under the hood, as in every hybrid when the petrol engine needs to kick in. Despite the variable compression, which keeps the combustion engine running as efficiently as possible in any driving situation, consumption is also increasing unfortunately: 6.9 l/100 km on the test average is okay, but it doesn’t really deliver on the e-‘s promise of savings. electric drive.

Also, the small battery can save weight. But it fills up pretty quickly via downhill recovery – the mechanical brake needs to maintain speed once energy recovery is complete. Especially in the mountain and valley country of Switzerland, the e-power drive leaves quite a bit of electricity behind.

With a higher seating position and a generous sense of space, such a compact crossover is actually more practical than a Golf-class hatchback. This is much more comfortable on the road in everyday life with a smooth electric ride. But the onboard combustion power plant is only temporary compared to an all-electric drive.

Its everyday capabilities and space make the e-powered Qashqai a practical entry-level drug for electric driving. On top of the line with a pleasantly short list of options, the test car comes to 50,890 francs. The basic version with a 140 hp petrol engine and without e-power starts at CHF 31,690.

Source: Blick