No charging needed: Nissan’s Qashqai e-POWER feels like an EV

Some people want the feeling of an electric car, but don’t want to deal with plugging in. If that sounds like you, Nissan’s new Qashqai e-POWER might be right up your alley. Nissan’s latest hybrid SUV is a little different from most. It’s called the Qashqai e-POWER, and while it still runs on gas, it drives just like an EV, smooth, quiet, and quick to respond. However, the big difference is that you never need to plug it in.

This version of the Qashqai runs on Nissan’s third-generation e-POWER system, a self-charging hybrid setup that was first introduced in 2022 but has now been improved. The system starts with a 1.5-liter gas engine, but unlike regular hybrids, this engine doesn’t move the wheels. Instead, it acts like a generator, POWERing an electric motor and a 2.1 kWh battery. All the driving comes from the motor, while energy is also recovered from regenerative braking.

Thanks to these changes, fuel use is now better. The Qashqai e-POWER uses about 4.5 liters per 100 km (or 52 mpg), which is a good step up from the old model’s 5.3 L/100 km. Nissan says the SUV can go as far as 1,200 km on one tank, or around 1,000 km in real driving. CO₂ emissions also went down, from 116 g/km to 102 g/km.

Inside, things have also been improved as Nissan worked on lowering cabin noise by up to 5.6 decibels, while also cutting down on engine vibration. The hybrid now makes up to 202 hp, which includes a 13 hp boost when using Sport mode. This version also gets longer service intervals, up from 15,000 to 20,000 km, which could mean less trips to the shop.

Everything under the hood is packed into a compact and lightweight unit, which helps the car stay efficient and easy to drive. The electric motor, generator, inverter, and more are all built into one space-saving setup. The new Qashqai e-POWER will be built in the UK and will be available in Europe starting September 2025. After, it’s expected to launch in Africa and Oceania, and Nissan also plans to use the same hybrid setup in other models like the next-gen Rogue for the US and the new Elgrand minivan for Japan, both expected by fiscal year 2026.

If you like the idea of driving an EV without having to charge it, this one’s worth a look. While waiting for updates, check out all of Nissan’s cars at AutoDeal.com.ph, including the Nissan Kicks e-POWER which runs on a similar series-hybrid POWERtrain as the Qashqai e-POWER!