Nissan has fully detailed its first series-hybrid small SUV, the Qashqai ePower, which is due in Australian showrooms by the end of this year. But just how fuel efficient is it?
As reported, the Qashqai ePower features a 115kW 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder with a variable compression ratio – but it doesn’t drive the wheels. Instead, it’s responsible for charging a small lithium-ion battery while on the move, essentially making it a generator.
That’s right; the Qashqai ePower’s front-wheel drive comes solely from its 140kW/330Nm electric motor via an inverter, meaning it’s quite different to the rivalling Toyota C-HR Hybrid that also uses a ‘self-charging’ hybrid system, albeit of the series-parallel variety.
Yep, the C-HR Hybrid and other ‘traditional’ petrol-electric powertrains drive the wheels via petrol or electric power, or a combination of the two, whereas the Qashqai ePower operates just one way.
So, how does the Qashqai ePower stack up against the C-HR Hybrid when it comes to fuel consumption on the combined-cycle test? Well, the former claims 5.3L/100km, making it 0.5L/100km thirstier than the latter against the same WLTP standard.
Interestingly, it appears the Qashqai ePower won’t be that much more frugal than the Qashqai’s 110kW/250Nm 1.3-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine option in Australia, which drinks 6.1L/100km, according to the more lenient ADR 81/02 regulation.
Of course, time will tell what the Qashqai ePower’s local claim ends up being – let alone real-world performance – but we do know buyers will get to enjoy Nissan’s e-Pedal regenerative braking functionality, which enables one-pedal driving – but not to standstill in this instance.
Australian pricing and full specification details for the Qashqai ePower will be released closer to its local launch. For reference, the regular petrol Qashqai, due in the coming weeks, is also yet to have its cost publicised, so stay tuned.
Keyword: How fuel efficient is the 2022 Nissan Qashqai ePower electric SUV? New Toyota C-HR Hybrid rival isn't too much more frugal than its traditional petrol sibling