The overdue, delayed new-generation Nissan Qashqai will now hit Australian showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2022 to challenge to Mazda CX-30, Kia Seltos, Honda HR-V and co.
European-designed and UK-made, the third-generation of Nissan’s small SUV staple is a substantial update on its predecessor model – which is now sold out.
As reported here, Nissan Australia previously said the new Qashqai would arrive in early 2022. The vehicle was revealed in February of 2021.
The new Qashqai will be one of four brand new models rolling into Nissan Australia’s circa-180 dealerships in the back half of this year, the others being the new Z coupe, X-Trail medium SUV and Pathfinder large SUV.
That means that from 2023, Nissan Australia will go from having one of the oldest product line-ups among major brands, to one of the newest.
Nissan Australia this week re-iterated the local Qashqai range walk, but declined to announce the most important figures of them all: pricing.
The launch engine will be a Nissan-Renault petrol 1.3-litre turbo four with 110kW and 250Nm, up 4kW and 50Nm on the outgoing 2.0-litre naturally aspirated unit.
It’ll be mated to a redesigned ‘X-Tronic’ CVT automatic and be more fuel efficient than before, even though the UK-market ‘mild hybrid’ setup isn’t coming here. Its towing capacity is also up 300kg, to a claimed 1500kg.
Following launch, probably for 2023, Nissan Australia says it will launch the Qashqai e-Power hybrid, its first use of the proprietary technology here.
Unlike Toyota’s parallel hybrids, the e-Power series hybrid setup uses the petrol engine purely to generate power for the electric motor, which always direct-drives the wheels.
In addition to the Qashqai hero colour of Magnetic Blue, customers will be able to choose from two-tone paint schemes including Fuji Sunset Red, Ceramic Gray and Ivory Pearl –all matched to a Pearl Black roof.
The Qashqai comes with a Euro NCAP five-star rating that’s expected to carry over to our ANCAP rating.
MORE: 2023 Nissan Qashqai e-Power hybrid unveiled
Bigger in every single dimension than the outgoing model, the new Qashqai measures 4425mm long (up 31mm), 1835mm wide (up 29mm), and 1625mm tall (up 30mm).
Nissan says the rear doors open to 90 degrees, making it easier to load a child or child seat, while boot space in the UK version is listed between 436L and 504L depending on grade. All come with rear air vents.
Safety features include centre far-side airbags for occupant-to-occupant protection, active cruise control, blind-spot intervention, and front- and rear AEB.
Four spec grades will be offered, with the breakdown to look a little like this:
2023 Nissan Qashqai ST:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Automatic LED headlights
- Keyless entry and start
- 7.0-inch TFT cluster
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Six-speaker sound system
- Two USB ports
- Reversing camera
2023 Nissan Qashqai ST+ adds:
- 18-inch alloys
- LED fog lights
- 12.3-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Satellite navigation
- Surround-view camera
2023 Nissan Qashqai ST-L adds:
- 19-inch alloys
- Expanded ‘Pro-PILOT’ semi-autonomous driving aids
- Adaptive LED headlights
- LED turn signals
- Privacy glass
- Part-leather accented seating
- Eight-way power driver’s seat
- Dual-zone climate control
- Wireless phone charging
- Heated steering wheel
- Heated front seats
2023 Nissan Qashqai Ti+ adds:
- Hands-free power tailgate
- 10.8-inch head-up display with mapping
- Quilted leather upholstery
- Massaging front seats
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10-speaker premium BOSE audio system
