Nissan Qashqai: It’s all about the commas

What is it?

Range change, facelift, tech top-up. It’s all happening for the Qashqai compact Nissan SUV — all, except the price which remains similar to the previous model, giving a nudge to rivals from Japan and China.

Nissan has shuffled the pack, with new nomenclature in line with the company’s larger SUVs, and the range extended to six by the addition of an N-Design flagship, featuring the innovative e-Power powertrain.

Notably, changes for the facelifted five-seater don’t extend to mechanicals.

The Qashqai continues to be offered with the choice of a turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a turbo three-cylinder paired with Nissan’s e-Power hybrid system.

What’s it cost?

Upgrades, designed to make a more striking impression, stretch across the whole range from entry-level ST, where prices start at $32,665, plus on-road costs.

The ST-L adds $5000, the Ti comes in at $42,965 and Ti-L $48,165.

Nissan’s Ti-L e-Power jumps to $52,365, while the N-Design e-Power tops off the range at $54,365.

On test for this review is the mid-spec Ti, sandwiched between the ST-L and Ti-L petrol variants. Priced at $42,965 before on-roads.

The new Qashqai design language, says Nissan, is punctuated by ‘commas’ kicked off up front by high gloss, 3-D comma-shaped elements appearing to float between the bonnet lip and number plate.

Flanking this space, on some grades, the ‘commas’ are finished in a ‘satin chrome’ foil stamp.

New headlights add a sharper look, while daytime running lights below the lens ape the commas of the main grille and join with a thin light harking back to the previous Qashqai.

The upper DRL becomes the turn indicator when called upon, the latter featuring dynamic operation at the front and rear of the vehicle, depending on the grade.

The elements out back copy the front grille commas with their distinctive ‘super red’ shade and clear lenses.

Nissan has wheeled out a string of designs and sizes, starting with 17-inch alloys for the ST, 18-inch diamond cut alloy wheels adorn the ST-L, the Ti gets 19-inch alloys, while the Ti-L and new N-Design feature new 20-inch diamond-cut wheel designs.

Three new colours have been added to the Qashqai spectrum, including Pearl White, Black Onyx and Deep Ocean.

On top of everything, there is an option of a black roof on Ti grade and above.

From the ST up the Qashqai is fitted with a 12.3-inch centre-mounted touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a similar-sized TFT Advanced Drive Assist display instrument cluster.

The MY25 generation debuts Nissan Connected Car Services in Australia.

By downloading the Nissan Connect app owners are given access to their vehicle’s ‘health’ and status information and trip history.

Theft and tow alerts are also included.

The Qashqai attracts a five-star rating from ANCAP’s 2021 testing.

Standard features include seven airbags, including front-centre, while autonomous emergency braking features pedestrian and cyclist detection, plus junction assist.

Also across the range are active speed limiter, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision and lane departure warning, lane keep assist, rear parking sensors, reversing camera, traffic sign recognition and tyre pressure monitor.

The Ti e-Power provides 360-degree camera, moving object detection, front parking sensors, ProPILOT lane centring, alarm system, intelligent park assist (semi-auto park) and side parking sensors.

Qashqais are covered by Nissan’s generous 10-year/300,000km conditional warranty, plus roadside assistance for a similar period.

Capped price servicing (with conditions) is available for the first five years.

What’s it go like?

‘Elevated’ is the word the maker likes to use in reference to the 2025 Qashqai.

The cabin comes in for particular note for the cabin with its ‘upscale ambience’ centred on new patterned materials on the centre console and insert between the dashboard and glovebox.

The Ti is dressed up by Alcantara on the dash, door inserts and armrests, centre console storage lid and knee pads.

Another dimension is applied by ambient lighting of a range of colours.

Seats are PVC and leather accented, the front heated, with the driver boasting an eight-way power adjustable position with memory function, the passenger with lumbar support.

Cargo space out back in the five-seater is 479 litres with seat backs raised, rising to 1422 litres with them folded.

Powertrain equipment leaves room only for a temporary spare.

As with the previous model, the newbie calls on one of two powertrains.

One pairs a 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine (110kW/250Nm) with CVT transmission.

Three drive modes – standard, eco and sport – add to ride and handling versatility.

Also available is Nissan’s clever e-Power set-up, comprising a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol unit, with a power generator, inverter and electric motor, delivering a combined output of 140kW and 330Nm.

Nissan’s e-Pedal Step and regenerative braking has the e-Power behaving like a full electric EV, leaving the internal combustion engine only to charge the battery.

The Qashqai chassis is set up on the sporty side, the stiff suspension competing with the softer clubby surrounds in a cabin that well insulates occupants from engine and road noise.