Nissan Qashqai 2022: all-new small SUV coming to Australia next year with hybrid powertrain

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The 2022 Nissan Qashqai small SUV will be released in Australia early next year with a whole new look and feel.

The third generation Qashqai sits on a revised version of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi CMF-C platform which boasts a 48 per cent increase in torsional stiffness over the old car.

Nissan’s range-extender hybrid powertrain will join the small SUV lineup later in 2022, making the Qashqai one of the rare hybrid small SUVs alongside the Toyota C-HR and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV.

The Qashqai measures 4,425mm long, 1,835mm wide and 1,625mm tall making it roughly 30mm bigger than before in every dimension. Combined with a 19mm longer wheelbase (2,665mm) the Qashqai should easily offer more cabin space than before.

Initial impressions suggest a handsome small SUV, Nissan has retained the signature V-Motion grille while sharpening up the Qashqai’s body lines. The result is promising in pictures, but we’ll hold final judgement until we’ve seen it in the flesh.

What will power the Nissan Qashqai?

Nissan will offer two powertrains for Australian Qashqai buyers. Nissan has replaced the dated 2.0-litre four-cylinder 106kW/200Nm engine with a downsized 1.3-litre turbocharged four-pot with 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque hooked up to a CVT automatic transmission. 

Those increases are respectable on their own, but the peak torque is now available at 1,500rpm which should make the Qashqai a more relaxing drive. Nissan claims fuel consumption of 6.1L/100km.

Later in the year the e-Power hybrid model will arrive which employs a 115kW 1.5-litre petrol engine solely to generate electricity for the 140kW/330Nm electric motor. 

This set-up is known as a range extender hybrid and is currently unique in the marketplace, with main competitor Toyota using a more conventional series-parallel system.

How well equipped is the new Qashqai?

The basics of the Qashqai remain very strong with every grade scoring multi-link rear suspension where many competitors stick with a torsion beam setup.

Inside, the cabin is far more up-to-date than the old car with a sporty flat-bottom steering wheel, Audi-style oblong shifter and tablet touchscreen. 

Initially, Nissan will bring four Qashqai grades to Australia mirroring the Juke light SUV lineup. The range starts with the base model Qashqai ST which brings a reasonable level of equipment including a 7.0-inch TFT display, 8.0-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cloth upholstery, a six-speaker sound system, LED headlights and 17-inch alloy wheels.

On top of the ST, the ST+ gets wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 360-degree monitor and navigation run through a larger 9.0-inch touchscreen. Outside LED foglights and 18-inch alloys add to the appearance. 

The upper-trim ST-L ups the cabin ambience with wireless charging, leather-accented upholstery and a power driver’s seat. Outside a set of large 19-inch alloy wheels, LED indicators and adaptive headlights distinguish this trim level.

Finally the range-topping Ti which gets all the fruit including a panoramic sunroof, different rear bumper, ambient lighting and black headliner. 

Nissan also outfits the Ti with a 12.3-inch digital cluster and Bose ten-speaker stereo, and the treatment is finished off with quilted leather-appointed seats that offer heating and massage function for the front passengers.

How safe is the Nissan Qashqai?

Nissan has outfitted every grade of Qashqai with the following safety features:

• Centre airbag
• Forward AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Junction AEB
• Reverse AEB
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Lane-departure warning
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver attention alert

That should be enough to see the Qashqai awarded with five stars from ANCAP when it is tested. The upper grade Qashqai ST-L scores adaptive cruise control with stop and go and a lane-trace assist. Meanwhile the Ti scores side parking sensors, and an automatic parking program.

Exact pricing will be closer to the Qashqai’s Australian launch early next year.