Nissan Qashqai Review 2024

Written by Andy Brady

8/10
heycar ratingRevamped SUV better than ever
  • 2021
  • SUV
  • Petrol, Hybrid

Quick overview

Pros

  • Extremely versatile with big boot, fold-flat rear seats and wide rear door openings
  • Interior feels considerably posher than before
  • New hybrid model is smooth and efficient

Cons

  • Petrol engines aren't all that punchy
  • Firm ride on 20-inch alloy wheels
  • Most desirable models are expensive

Overall verdict on the 2024 Nissan Qashqai

"The old Nissan Qashqai was way past its best, yet its reputation for value-for-money and versatility meant it continued to sell in huge numbers. Fortunately, the third-generation model is by far the best Qashqai ever made, putting it in good stead against hugely competitive rivals like the Skoda Karoq and Peugeot 3008."

Nissan Qashqai Review 2024: exterior three-quarter photo of the Nissan Qashqai on the road

There's been a noticeable move upmarket with the new Nissan Qashqai, with an interior that could almost compete with more premium alternatives like the BMW X1 and Volvo XC40. Emphasis on 'almost', though. The desirable Qashqai Tekna+ derivative comes fully loaded with quilted leather massage seats, a Bose sound system and a smart eight-inch infotainment system. Oh, and a price tag of more than £37,000. But the Qashqai range is broad (and not all are as pricey) and we'll explore all trim levels in our 2024 Nissan Qashqai review. 


The Nissan Qashqai range kicks off with the £27,000 Visia model – a proper 'hire car spec' car if ever we saw one. The mid-range Acenta Premium has all the kit you'd need, though, including 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear-view camera and an eight-inch media system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.


Initially, the Nissan Qashqai was only available with a 1.3-litre petrol engine. This has mild-hybrid tech but it's nothing to get excited about – the 12-volt system will do little more than provide a small power boost under acceleration and keep your lights on as you coast to a stop with the engine off. There are two power outputs available, while buyers get the choice of a manual or CVT automatic gearbox and two- or four-wheel drive.


For a truly innovative system, you'll want the new e-Power hybrid version launched in mid-2022. It's unusual, even by hybrid standards, as there's no direct link between the petrol engine and the wheels. Instead, it basically acts as a generator for the electric motor, providing many of the benefits of electric cars with few of the drawbacks. It's a good system, and more affordable to buy than plug-in hybrids. 


The Nissan Qashqai has never been a particularly sporty choice and that remains the case today. Rivals like the Mazda CX-30 and SEAT Ateca are more agile, while the Skoda Karoq is a more comfortable alternative. We’ve tried the Qashqai with its 20-inch alloy wheels which, although they look smart, aren’t great for ride quality or refinement. Thankfully, lesser wheel sizes are more competitive in both areas. 


It’s practicality where the third-generation Nissan Qashqai shines the most. From the generous stowage areas to the rear seats that fold flat, doors that open incredibly wide and an extensive list of standard safety equipment, there’s no doubt that this is a car designed with families in mind. 


As an all-rounder family SUV, we reckon the Nissan Qashqai is back up there with the best. It might not stand out in any particular area, but it's a pretty complete package - particularly in e-Power hybrid form. 


Looking for a used car for sale? We've got 100s of Nissan Approved Used Cars for Sale for you to choose from, including a wide range of Nissan Qashqais for sale. If you're looking for the older version, you need our used Nissan Qashqai (2013-2021) review.

The Nissan Qashqai has long been a popular choice for family buyers, and it's now more versatile than ever. Its interior has been dragged up to date, with fresh technology and a posh finish that almost puts it in-line with much more expensive SUVs. As long as you don't care about an exciting driving experience, the Nissan Qashqai is a very competitive mainstream family SUV.

There are lots of excellent family SUV alternatives to the Nissan Qashqai. We rate the Skoda Karoq, SEAT Ateca and Volkswagen Tiguan, while the Peugeot 3008 and Citroen C5 Aircross chuck some French style and sophistication into the mix. There's also the excellent Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, while you should also consider the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5.

Comfort and design: Nissan Qashqai interior

"The Nissan Qashqai has a big-car feel, with chunky front seats positioned high up to give you a feeling of superiority you just won't find with smaller SUVs."

Nissan Qashqai Review 2024: interior photo of the Qashqai's dashboard and controls

That bulky vibe is aided by a meaty thick-rimmed steering wheel, a wide centre console and knobs that look like they could be controlled while wearing gloves. It's not trying to be a Land Rover, but the latest Nissan Qashqai isn't the last word in petite.


The front seats of the Nissan Qashqai are comfortable enough, while the Tekna+ model comes with fancy massage seats as standard. Our main takeaway is that these are (oddly) a bit noisy if you're driving without the stereo on. Overall, it's a nice place to sit with a significant uplift in quality over the old version.


There is no shortage of head- or legroom in the rear, and more than the outgoing Qashqai. You also get two ISOFIX anchor points on the outer rear seats, which means choosing a child seat for your Qashqai should be a simple enough task.

This is perhaps where the Nissan Qashqai's moved on the most compared to its predecessor. While the old car was unashamedly a bit low-rent in its approach (value-for-money, wipe-clean plastics and all that), the latest third-generation Nissan Qashqai is intending to tempt buyers away from more premium models. Certainly, our top-spec Tekna+ test car felt unashamedly posh, with quilted leather seats, contrast stitching and smooth wood-effect trim on the dashboard.


It's not faultless – there are some hard plastics low down in the cabin (the door bins, for example), and the rotary controls for the nav system feel a bit Fisher Price. Otherwise, it's just as impressive in terms of quality as the Peugeot 3008, though.

The eight-inch media system (standard on Qashqai Acenta Premium models and above) features sharp, bright graphics and is well located for glancing at without causing a distraction. Its mainly touchscreen-operated, although there are buttons underneath acting as convenient shortcuts, as well as toggles on either side for tweaking the volume or zooming in and out of the nav.


The screen upgrades to nine inches when you go for N-Connecta spec, but the real upgrade you want was added in mid-2022, with a 12-inch widescreen infotainment system available on higher trims. It's more responsive, crisper to look at and comes with Amazon Alexa voice recognition. 


It's certainly easier to operate than touchscreen-only systems (and there are separate climate-control buttons below), but it's not quite as user-friendly as devices operated by a rotary controller between the seats (such as in the Mazda CX-30).


The infotainment display is easy and logical to use, although its graphics look a bit old-fashioned compared to some competitors - again, the 2022 screen upgrade improves this. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all but entry-level Visia models, meaning you can use features like Google Maps via your smartphone.


There's a very sophisticated digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel on the Qashqai, which on the hybrid model gives you information on power sources and charging, while a fairly chunky head-up display unit is also available. Nissan brags that it's the biggest in its class but we'd argue that size isn't everything... certainly when it comes to distracting text positioned in your eyeline when driving.

The dimensions of the Nissan Qashqai haven't changed a great deal over the older model, at just under 4.4m long and a touch over 1.8m wide. That means there's plenty of space in the front of the Qashqai, while it feels like quite a wide car, with a chunky centre console separating the driver and front-seat passenger. There’s a (slightly small) glove box in the centre console while the door bins aren’t the biggest we’ve seen.


There's plenty of room in the rear of the Qashqai, although expect complaints from whoever draws the short straw and has to sit in the middle. The middle seat is narrower than the outer seats, while there’s a lump in the middle of the floor, hindering foot space. The Citroen C5 Aircross, with its three individual rear seats, is a better choice if you regularly travel with a full complement of passengers in the back.


The rear doors open up to 85-degrees – not great in tight parking spaces, but perfect for strapping children in when space allows. ISOFIX points on the outer rear seats help here, too.


There’s 504 litres of boot space in the new Nissan Qashqai which, while not class-leading, is a fair-sized boot for loading with shopping or child paraphernalia. There’s a false boot floor that allows you to reduce the amount of lip, making loading bulky items easier. If you need more space, the rear seats of the Qashqai fold usefully flat, leaving up to 1593 litres of space.


Happily, we can also report that the e-Power hybrid model doesn't lose any boot space. Often with hybrids (particularly plug-ins) the boot shrinks or the underfloor storage is taken up by the hefty battery pack. 

Handling and ride quality: What is the Nissan Qashqai like to drive?

"Nissan says it's tweaked the power steering setup to make it feel a bit more direct and agile. In truth, though, you'd still be better looking at the SEAT Ateca if you want a fun family SUV."

Nissan Qashqai Review 2024: rear exterior photo of the Nissan Qashqai on the road

There's plenty of grip, at least, and it doesn't roll about in the corners too much. Nissan even offers a 4x4 version, which could be a sensible choice if you're expecting to lug a caravan across muddy fields. You'll be in the minority, though – just 2% of buyers are expected to tick the 4WD box.


Fitting oversized alloy wheels with rubber-band tyres is never a good thing for ride quality. That’s why, on models fitted with 20-inch alloy wheels, Nissan has fitted a more advanced rear suspension setup. As a result, it’s not bone-shakingly brittle, but it’s still firmer than we think is really necessary for a family SUV. Happily models with 17- or 18-inch wheels have a noticeably smoother and more comfortable ride - the Qashqai is on a par with the Skoda Karoq in that respect. 


The Qashqai e-Power hybrid weighs about 200kg more than the equivalent petrol model. That might sound like quite a bit, but in reality it doesn't make much of a difference to the way the Qashqai goes down the road. 

The Nissan Qashqai was initially launched with a 1.3-litre petrol engine. It's available with 140PS or 158PS, while both have 12-volt mild-hybrid technology. This provides a small performance boost, while the engine can turn off sooner as you coast to a halt in traffic. 


The lower-powered Qashqai is only offered with a manual gearbox, while the more powerful motor can be paired with a manual or Xtronic CVT automatic gearbox. We've sampled the new Qashqai with the 158PS engine with both the manual and automatic gearbox. It's got quite a narrow torque band, which means you have to be proactive in changing gear in order to build speed. That's quite typical with small turbocharged engines like this, though.


The manual gear change has a slightly springy action but is adequate, with easy operation and a light clutch. If you're happy to splash the cash, the automatic gearbox suits a car like the Qashqai and will take a lot of the pain out of day-to-day driving. The Xtronic responds quickly and, surprisingly, the engine feels considerably sprightlier with it. Acceleration to 62mph takes 9.2 seconds, compared to 9.5 seconds with the manual gearbox.


In mid-2022 Nissan launched a hybrid version of the Qashqai, badged the Nissan Qashqai e-Power. It uses the petrol engine as a generator with no direct connection to the wheels - the engine instead powers electric motors and charges the battery. It means when you're mooching around town the Qashqai feels very similar to an electric car - smooth, all-but-silent and with no gearchanges to disrupt your progress.


Even when the engine fires into life, you'll only really know about it by the icon appearing in the digital dials. It only makes itself heard (and felt) when you ask for full power, but it manages to keep the revs at a civilised level, unlike rival hybrids such as the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. You also get decent performance - it's noticeably faster than the petrol engines, managing 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds. 

As well as upsetting ride quality, the largest 20-inch alloy wheels aren't great for refinement. There's a considerable amount of road noise, although models with smaller wheels (and higher-profile tyres) do better on that score.


Wind noise is acceptable on the Qashqai, though – it's certainly no worse than most mainstream SUVs of this size, although don't expect it to be as hushed as premium alternatives. The 1.3-litre petrol engine is fairly quiet until you really start working it hard, at which point it predictably becomes a bit thrashy. Don't be fooled by the mild-hybrid element – you're not going to be running around under electric power alone. 


The e-Power model, meanwhile, will run on electric power, but only for a couple of miles when the petrol engine kicks back in to charge up the battery again. Happily, the engine is so refined that you'll barely notice it. 

The Nissan Qashqai was given a maximum five-star crash safety score when it was assessed by Euro NCAP, which included a strong 91% protection for both adults and children. 


Nissan's driver-assist technology makes it pretty difficult to have a crash in a Qashqai (not that we'd recommend trying it out). And, best of all, it's standard across the range. Highlights include automatic emergency braking, which can monitor your surroundings and detect other vehicles and pedestrians, applying the brakes if required to help avoid or reduce the severity of a collision. 


Rear automatic braking is standard, too – the car will automatically brake if there's a bollard you haven't noticed when reversing, for example. Nissan Qashqai Tekna models and above get adaptive driving beam tech, which splits the high beam into 12 segments, automatically turning some of them off to avoid dazzling oncoming motorists. It's a really nifty feature.


While there's the usual myriad of airbags, there's also a clever new central airbag between the driver and front passenger. This is to prevent you from bashing into one another in a collision.

MPG and fuel costs: What does a Nissan Qashqai cost to run?

"The 1.3-litre petrol engine paired with the manual gearbox officially returns up to 45mpg in official WLTP fuel economy tests, while the 4x4 model returns 40mpg."

Nissan Qashqai Review 2024: exterior static

These figures are comparable to rivals although, as ever, will depend on factors like your driving style in the real world. If you want a really efficient Qashqai, best stump up for the e-Power hybrid as there is no diesel option. 


On the WLTP cycle the e-Power will do 53.3mpg combined. That's about what you'd get (if not better) than a diesel SUV, but with better refinement and smoother running. Although you don't get triple-digit official economy like you would in a plug-in hybrid, the Qashqai will manage that on a long drive, whereas plug-ins run out of battery power after 30-50 miles or so, and become a lot less efficient. 

Nissan as a brand has a fairly good reputation for reliability, although it scored a middling 9.04 out of 10 for reliability in the HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index.


The old Qashqai was plagued with issues with the CVT transmission, while manual models had a tendency to pop out of gear (particularly in reverse). DPF (diesel particulate filter) issues were also common with diesel models regularly used for short journeys.

The lower-powered 140PS Qashqai will be the cheapest to insure, with a Visia model falling into group 11E. An Acenta Premium with the more powerful engine and manual gearbox is in group 17E, while the automatic transmission places it in group 15E. The e-Power hybrid sits between groups 24 to 26, depending on equipment grade.


Depending on factors like your postcode, age and driving experience, you might find the difference in costs is minimal – it's worth shopping around for car insurance quotes, though. 

How much should you be paying for a Nissan Qashqai?

"The Nissan Qashqai range starts from around £27,000, but the highest-spec versions rise to upwards of £40,000."

Nissan Qashqai Review 2024: exterior static

It's one of the nation's best-selling new cars, so there's a lot of choice when shopping on the used car market. Around £17,000 is enough to get you into our favoured Acenta Premium-trimmed car, albeit with one of the entry-level powertrains.

If you fancy the e-Power, you'll be looking at more like £35,000 on the used market. That's because it costs considerably more as new car, and it hasn't been around long enough for used prices to have come down all that far.

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The Nissan Qashqai range kicks off with the basic Visia model. This is pretty sparsely equipped, with standard equipment including front and rear LED lights, intelligent cruise control and rear parking sensors.


The Nissan Qashqai Acenta Premium is a more desirable choice. Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, an eight-inch media display (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), rear-view camera and dual-zone air conditioning.


The mid-range Nissan Qashqai N-Connecta features 18-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch digital cockpit and a nine-inch media system. Nissan's Around View Monitor 360-degree camera is standard, as well as front parking sensors and interior ambient lighting.


The launch special Premiere Edition is lavishly kitted out. You'll find Nissan's ProPilot (with Drive Assist) system, a 12.3-inch digital TFT instrument cluster, a 10.8-inch head-up display, 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, a panoramic glass sunroof and a wireless charging pad.


The Nissan Qashqai Tekna is similarly well-equipped, with highlights including 19-inch alloy wheels, ProPilot with Navi-Link or Drive Assist, a 10.8-inch head-up display, adaptive LED headlights, a powered tailgate and wireless charging pad.


Topping the range is the plush Nissan Qashqai Tekna+ with its 20-inch alloy wheels, quilted leather seats (with massage function in the front), Advanced i-Key (with driver seat and exterior mirror memory), Bose sound system and tilting mirrors on reverse.

Ask the heycar experts: common questions

A brand new Nissan Qashqai starts from around £27,000 in Visia trim, rising to more than £40,000 for the e-Power hybrid in Tekna+ trim.
The higher-spec Qashqai models are the most popular, with N-Connecta, Tekna and Tekna+ models expected to account for around 80% of sales in the UK. The Nissan Qashqai N-Connecta is a good mix of affordability and desirable spec, with standard equipment that includes 18-inch alloy wheels, the 12.3-inch digital cockpit, a nine-inch infotainment screen and Nissan's Around View Monitor 360-degree camera system.
The e-Power hybrid is the most efficient variant according to official figures, returning over 50mpg. This version doesn't use its petrol engine to drive the car – instead, it acts as a generator for the electric motor, which drives the front wheels.

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