2026 Nissan Qashqai debuts with a next-gen hybrid powertrain

The new Qashqai crossover for Europe is Nissan’s first vehicle to take advantage of a third-generation e-Power hybrid system. It’s already being produced in Sunderland, UK, with the sales planned for September.

Like the previous two generations, this one sticks to the serial/range extender hybrid formula where the engine is solely used for power generation. All actual propulsion is handled by electric motors. However, the old 1.5-liter VC-Turbo three-cylinder engine introduced in the Qashqai lineup in 2021 is no longer available. A new engine has taken its place with the same displacement volume, but a bigger turbocharger and a thermal efficiency raised to 42%.

As a result, the bulky Qashqai now consumes only 4.5 liters of petrol per 100 kilometers on average (52.2 American MPG). Nissan calls the fuel economy best-in-class, referring to the European C-class. It means 16% more gas savings compared to the previous, second generation of e-Power, and a 12% drop in CO2 emissions.

The company reckons that the new SUV should be able to make 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) on a full tank. The official WLTP-rated range is barely over 1,000 km (621 miles), though. On the upside, the new engine only needs to be serviced once every 20,000 km (12,427 miles), while its predecessor required attention every 15,000 km (9,320 miles). It also runs quieter, reducing the interior noise by 5.6 dB. Nissan claims the new Qashqai is so quiet, it’s comparable with a full-blown EV in this respect.

All propulsion is handled by an electric motor unitized with a generator, inverter and reducer at the front axle. It delivers 15 more horsepower than the previous generation, specifically 210 PS (207 hp / 154 kW). The battery pack size stays the same as before at 2.1 kWh.