Nissan Qashqai SUV - MPG, running costs & CO2

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 is coming in 2022. It’ll use an electric motor that’s similarly powerful as the one fitted in the electric Nissan Leaf, plus a 1.5-litre petrol engine that’ll be used to keep the battery charged. The Qashqai e-Power should feel like an electric car, with seamless acceleration and regenerative braking.

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 138 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.

Our big-wheeled Tekna test car 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 tax due is based on the quoted CO2 figures.

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The e-Power hybrid promises to be more economical - Nissan says it’ll manage 53mpg - but a plug-in hybrid SUV will offer even lower running costs if it’s recharged regularly.

Whichever version you choose, you’ll pay the annual VED (road tax) rate for hybrid cars, which is £10 a year less than normal petrol and diesel cars.

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 but 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.

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.