Nissan Qashqai SUV - MPG, running costs & CO2
The mild-hybrid petrol offers better fuel economy than before, but it’s the e-Power hybrid powertrain that’s most innovative
The previous Nissan Qashqai wasn’t the most economical family SUV on sale and on paper it doesn’t look like too much has changed. The car still uses the same 1.3-litre petrol engine and there’s no diesel option. This time around, however, the petrol engine has mild-hybrid electrical assistance, meaning the energy lost while braking is recovered and stored in a small battery. This electric power is used to assist the petrol engine when accelerating, improving fuel efficiency.
A full-hybrid model joined the range in 2022. It uses an electric motor that’s similarly powerful as the one fitted in the electric Nissan Leaf, mated to a 1.5-litre petrol engine that’s used to keep the electric motor’s battery charged, so it feels like an EV to drive most of the time.
Nissan Qashqai MPG and CO2
Compared to around 40mpg for the previous model, the new car’s claimed figure stands at 44.8mpg. It’s unlikely you’ll notice a massive difference at the pumps but the improvement is welcome nonetheless. Both 138bhp and 156bhp versions of the 1.3-litre engine offer the same figures, and the figures are the same whether you choose the manual gearbox or the CVT automatic. Four-wheel drive models officially manage 40.9mpg.
The big-wheeled Tekna we tested first produces 145g/km of CO2, which is a small reduction on the previous model. That will result in a saving for company-car drivers, as the amount of Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax due is based on the quoted CO2 figures.
The e-Power hybrid promises to be more economical – Nissan says it’ll manage up to 54.6mpg with CO2 emissions from 117g/km – but a plug-in hybrid SUV will offer even lower running costs if it’s recharged regularly.
It’s fitted with a reasonably large 2.1kWh battery (the Toyota C-HR hybrid has a 1.3kWh item), and its 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine is only intended to act as a generator to top up the battery. The idea is that this setup not only makes the Qashqai e-Power feel like an EV to drive, but it also allows the petrol engine to work more efficiently.
Whichever version you choose, you’ll pay the annual VED (road tax) rate for hybrid cars, which is slightly less per year than normal petrol and diesel cars. Note that top-spec versions cost over £40,000, at which point you’ll be paying around £500 in VED a year until the car is six years old.
Insurance groups
Insurance should be a little cheaper than for the outgoing model. It sits in groups 11-17 out of 50, while the last Qashqai spanned groups 14-18 out of 50. That's about the same as a family hatchback like a Ford Focus. Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility safety pack is fitted as standard, which may contribute to the Qashqai’s improved insurance rating.
Warranty
The Qashqai gets an average, three-year/60,000-mile warranty. That’s probably the least you can expect from a brand-new car in the UK and it’s short of the five-year warranties offered on the Renault Kadjar and Hyundai Tucson. The Kia Sportage and SsangYong Korando get seven years of cover, while Toyota now offers a 10-year warranty package for all its UK models. Nissan does offer a warranty extension for extra cost, if you’re planning to keep your car longer than a typical PCP finance deal.
Servicing
It makes sense to order a service plan with your new Qashqai, as it works out cheaper than several individual main dealer services. Plans are available for two, three and four years, for £440, £640 and £840 respectively. Interestingly, all three cost the same amount per month, so you’ll just need to pick how many services you’re covered for.