2025 Nissan Qashqai N-Design e-Power Review

The 2025 Nissan Qashqai has received a mid-life update, refining one of Nissan’s best-selling models in Australia. With a refreshed exterior, significant interior enhancements, and the addition of new technology, the latest Qashqai aims to stay competitive in the ever-growing small SUV segment.

Beyond styling revisions, the update brings connected technology to the lineup for the first time, aligning the Qashqai with Nissan’s latest offerings, including the X-Trail. The model range has also been reshuffled, with changes to trim names and the introduction of new pricing, and in a first for the brand; a 10-year warranty.

We’ve had the opportunity to drive the updated Qashqai at its Australian launch in the Yarra Valley, Victoria. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 Nissan Qashqai, including pricing, features, and how it performs on the road.

How much does the 2025 Nissan Qashqai cost?

Nissan has slightly adjusted the Qashqai’s model lineup to bring it in line with the latest X-Trail. While some trim names have changed, pricing has not increased. Notably, the entry-level ST and mid-tier ST-L benefit from introductory pricing, making them more accessible to buyers.

2025 Nissan Qashqai Pricing:

• Qashqai ST – $32,665 before on-road costs (Introductory pricing until April 30, 2025)
• Qashqai ST-L – $37,665 before on-road costs (Introductory pricing until April 30, 2025)
• Qashqai Ti – $42,190 before on-road costs
• Qashqai Ti-L ICE – $48,165 before on-road costs
• Qashqai Ti-L e-Power – $52,365 before on-road costs
• Qashqai N-Design (e-Power) – $54,365 before on-road costs

The top-spec N-Design model is available exclusively with Nissan’s e-Power hybrid powertrain.

Note: Prices exclude on-road costs.

What’s the exterior like of the Nissan Qashqai N-Design e-Power?

The Qashqai has received subtle exterior refinements aimed at maintaining its appeal in the competitive small SUV market. One of the most noticeable changes is the revised ‘Samurai-inspired’ front grille, featuring a three-dimensional pattern with high-gloss black elements. The updated LED headlights incorporate a layered design with five small lenses and higher grades get sequential turn indicators.

The Qashqai maintains its compact SUV dimensions while incorporating revised wheel designs. The ST variant is fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels, with ST-L and Ti receiving 18-inch and 19-inch alloys, respectively. The N-DESIGN trim features exclusive 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, body-coloured bumpers, gloss-black mirror covers, and a contrasting black roof for differentiation.

At the rear, the Qashqai gains redesigned LED taillights with four individual lighting elements in Super Red. The rear bumper has been subtly revised to align with the updated design language while maintaining a cohesive and functional appearance.

Nissan has introduced three new colour options: Pearl White, Black Onyx, and Deep Ocean. The Ti and N-DESIGN trims also offer an optional two-tone roof, adding another level of customisation for buyers.

These updates refine the Qashqai’s design, ensuring it remains visually competitive in the small SUV segment while integrating minor enhancements to align with Nissan’s evolving design language.

What’s the interior like of the Nissan Qashqai?

The 2025 Qashqai introduces higher-quality materials and technology upgrades across the range, reinforcing its position as a premium offering in the small SUV segment. At the heart of these updates is the 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is now standard across all grades and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ti-L and N-Design trims take this further by adding a 10.8-inch head-up display and a Bose premium sound system for a very solid audio experience.

A notable upgrade for 2025 is the introduction of Nissan Connected Car Services, debuting in the Qashqai range. This system allows drivers to monitor their vehicles remotely through a smartphone app, providing features such as trip history, vehicle health reports, and theft alerts. While some competitors have offered connected services for years, Nissan is finally catching up, making the Qashqai a more technologically competitive choice.

The N-Design trim stands out with a more upmarket feel, featuring Alcantara accents on the dashboard, door inserts, and centre console. This trim also includes leather-accented seats with Alcantara detailing, adding a tactile, premium touch. Enhancing the cabin ambience further, customisable ambient lighting is now standard from the Ti grade upwards, allowing drivers to personalize the interior mood.

Ergonomic improvements include 8-way power-adjustable seats with lumbar support, which are standard in the Ti and above, providing better comfort for long drives. While the heated front seats and steering wheel improve cold-weather usability, the absence of ventilated seats is notable, especially considering the price of higher trims. The centre console now features a new patterned material, giving a more refined aesthetic while maintaining a practical layout with physical climate controls.

What about back seats?

Rear passenger space remains competitive, though the raised floor due to the hybrid battery impacts foot space, which is particularly noticeable for taller passengers. While legroom is reasonable, the seating position is slightly compromised, leading to less thigh support, which could make long trips less comfortable. The panoramic sunroof (Ti-L and N-Design) helps create a more open and airy feel, making the cabin feel larger than it is.

Nissan has improved the rear seating experience by offering Alcantara-trimmed door panels and padded armrests in the N-Design, adding a touch of luxury. The seats themselves are upholstered in a leather-Alcantara combination, providing a premium feel, though they remain manually adjustable in all trims. Rear air vents and USB-C charging ports are standard from the ST-L trim upwards, ensuring passengers stay comfortable and connected.

Storage remains practical, with door bins large enough for bottles, seatback pockets, and a fold-down centre armrest with dual cup holders. However, the cup holders are on the shallow side, meaning taller bottles may not be as secure.

What’s boot space like in the Nissan Qashqai?

Despite the hybrid battery, boot space remains practical at 404L (down from 504L in non-hybrid models). Folding the rear seats expands capacity to 1,328L. The N-Design includes a motion-activated power tailgate and a space-saver spare wheel, unlike some rivals which provide only a repair kit.

What’s under the bonnet of the 2025 Nissan Qashqai N-Design e-Power?

The N-Design e-Power variant is powered by Nissan’s innovative e-Power hybrid system, which consists of a 1.5L turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol engine that acts solely as a generator. Unlike conventional hybrids, the petrol engine never directly drives the wheels. Instead, it charges a battery, which then powers an electric motor producing 140kW and 330Nm. I was impressed with the instant torque of the power-train, it certainly seemed very 'EV-like', while eliminating range anxiety.

This powertrain allows for single-pedal driving with Nissan’s e-Pedal Step mode, which uses regenerative braking to slow the vehicle when lifting off the accelerator. You can also engage EV Mode, for short periods of all-electric driving at low speeds. The e-Power system provides a more refined driving experience, as the petrol engine operates primarily to recharge the battery, resulting in fewer engine rev fluctuations compared to traditional hybrids.

Alternatively, the Qashqai ST, ST-L, and Ti models come equipped with a 1.3L turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine, producing 110kW and 250Nm. This engine is paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT automatic transmission, driving the front wheels. While it doesn’t offer the instant response of the e-Power system, it delivers smooth and efficient performance, with a combined fuel consumption rating of 6.1L/100km.

How does the Nissan Qashqai Drive?

The instant torque from the e-Power system ensures smooth and responsive acceleration, making the Qashqai feel much like an electric vehicle in terms of immediate power delivery. The three available drive modes—Eco, Standard, and Sport—adjust throttle response and energy management, allowing the driver to optimize efficiency or prioritize performance as needed. In Sport mode, the Qashqai e-Power feels particularly lively, delivering a strong surge of torque from a standstill, making city driving effortless.

Nissan has also made significant improvements to NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) levels, incorporating acoustic glass and additional cabin insulation to reduce road and wind noise. Even at highway speeds, the cabin remains relatively quiet, though the petrol engine does become more noticeable under heavy acceleration, particularly when the battery requires additional charging. 

Ride quality is comfortable and composed on smooth roads, with the suspension tuned for urban driving and highway cruising. However, the N-Design’s 20-inch alloy wheels do introduce more road noise and a slightly firmer ride on rougher surfaces. While handling is predictable and secure, it remains more suited to daily commuting rather than spirited driving, with light but accurate steering making maneuverability easy in city environments.

Fuel efficiency is rated at 4.8L/100km combined, though the e-Power system performs best in urban stop-start conditions, where regenerative braking plays a key role in reducing fuel consumption. In highway driving, the petrol engine operates more frequently, slightly increasing fuel use compared to city driving. The e-Pedal Step mode allows for one-pedal driving, reducing reliance on the brake pedal by automatically slowing the vehicle when lifting off the accelerator. This feature, while not as aggressive as in a fully electric vehicle, enhances driving ease in congested areas.

Overall, the Qashqai’s driving experience is refined, comfortable, and efficient, blending elements of EV-like responsiveness with the convenience of petrol refuelling. While not a performance SUV, it delivers a well-balanced mix of power and economy, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a smoother, quieter alternative to traditional petrol-powered small SUVs.

Is the Nissan Qashqai safe?

The 2025 Nissan Qashqai retains its 5-star ANCAP safety rating, continuing to prioritize driver and passenger protection with a range of advanced safety features. Across all grades, Nissan has included a comprehensive suite of active and passive safety technologies to ensure confidence on the road.

Standard Safety Features (All Grades):

• Intelligent Forward Collision Warning
• Intelligent Emergency Braking with pedestrian, cyclist detection, and junction assist
• Lane Departure Warning and Intelligent Lane Intervention
• Blind Spot Warning and Blind Spot Intervention
• Intelligent Rear Automatic Braking
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Traffic Sign Recognition

Additional Safety Features (ST-L and Above):

• Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Intelligent Driver Alert

Advanced Safety Features (Ti and Above):

• ProPilot Assist (semi-autonomous driving system with adaptive cruise control and lane centring)
• Intelligent Park Assist (Ti-L and N-Design)
• Intelligent Cruise Control with Nissan Connected Car Services (N-Design e-Power only)

How much does it cost to run the Nissan Qashqai?

Nissan has introduced a service-activated 10-year, 300,000 km warranty for the 2025 Qashqai. To maintain the full 10-year coverage, owners must service their vehicle at an authorised Nissan dealer. If serviced outside of the Nissan network, the warranty reverts to five years with unlimited kilometres. This is a significant improvement over the previous warranty structure and brings Nissan in line with some of its closest competitors. Without servicing at an authorised dealer, the warranty coverage reverts to five years with unlimited kilometres.

Servicing and Maintenance Costs Nissan offers capped-price servicing for the Qashqai, ensuring owners know exactly what to expect in terms of maintenance costs. The e-Power hybrid models have slightly different servicing needs compared to the standard petrol-powered variants, but Nissan’s service intervals remain every 12 months or 15,000 km, whichever comes first. The hybrid system requires battery and electrical system checks, but these do not significantly increase servicing costs compared to the petrol variant.

Running costs for the Qashqai are quite competitive, with the e-Power model delivering an official fuel consumption of 4.8L/100km. However, as with most hybrids, this figure is achieved primarily in urban stop-start conditions, where the regenerative braking system can maximize efficiency. On the highway, fuel consumption may increase slightly due to the petrol engine running more frequently to charge the battery.

What do you get with the Nissan Qashqai?

Standard features (ST)

• 12.3-inch infotainment system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
• Dual-zone climate control
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Auto LED headlights
• Nissan Connected Car Services

ST-L adds:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Satellite navigation
• Wireless phone charger
• Intelligent Around View Monitor

Ti adds:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Adaptive LED headlights
• 12.3-inch digital driver display
• Customizable ambient lighting
• Heated front seats & steering wheel

Ti-L adds:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Alcantara dashboard & knee pads
• Bose premium sound system
• Panoramic glass roof

N-Design adds:

• Body-coloured bumpers & over fenders
• Gloss black mirror caps
• Black roof rails
• Motion-activated power tailgate

Final thoughts on the 2025 Nissan Qashqai

The mid-life refresh enhances the Qashqai’s appeal, particularly when it comes to exterior aesthetics, interior quality, and connectivity. The N-Design e-Power variant delivers an EV-like drive without range anxiety but comes at a premium price, without offering class-leading economy. While the base models offer decent value, those wanting premium materials and hybrid performance will find the N-Design compelling, albeit at quite a high price point for a small SUV.