Key Takeaways
- Updated Qashqai in Europe includes refined exterior with upscale design influenced by Japanese patterns.
- Previously, this would’ve have arrived in America as the Nissan Rogue Sport.
- Innovative e-Power drivetrain offers seamless transition between electric and combustion power, reducing CO2 emissions.
The Nissan Qashqai, or the Rogue Sport as it was known in our neck of the woods, has just received a major update in Europe, and it makes us wish the model was still for sale on this side of the pond. Featuring a heavily revised interior and exterior, the company is hoping to capture new customers with looks and its innovative e-Power drivetrain that the company says takes advantage of only the best parts of electric and combustion drivetrain technology.
The company introduced a facelifted Qashqai in 2021 with the hopes it would help bring back sales to the mid-2010s peak. The model sold well enough at a rate of about 100,000 units a year, but the aging looks of the V-motion design have definitely overstayed their welcome as the rest of the Nissan lineup has moved on. The looks of the new model are similarly styled to that of the Ariya. But before you get excited, the Rogue Sport was discontinued at the end of the 2022 model year, and the recently updated Nissan Kicks has effectively taken its place as a larger subcompact model.
This Nissan Is Looking Mighty Fine Inside And Out
The vehicle looks much more upscale than before, and this transformation starts with the revamped front grille that draws inspiration from the intricate patterns found in ancient Japanese armor. The grille boasts a striking array of high gloss, three-dimensional elements arranged in a way that almost looks like scales. This is complimented perfectly by the slit headlights above it that now offer broader adaptive high-beam modules.
Moving to the rear, more of the original Qashqai/Rogue Sport comes out, though it now looks much more refined than before. The rear lights now feature individual lighting elements that mirror the comma-shaped motifs found in the front grille. The vehicle is offered with a wide range of wheel sizes from 18 inches to 20 inches and quite a few different colors, though nothing too special. The company is introducing a new N-Design that adds a “bolder look” to the vehicle. All it means is that the body cladding is painted the body color, and you get new wheels, but at least it sounds nice.
Posh Interior Upgrades
The interior is a notable upgrade, particularly in the upper grades like N-Design and Tekna+ trims, where Alcantara accents adorn various surfaces, including the dashboard, door inserts, and armrests. Seat trims across the upper grades were updated for a more premium feel, with the top-spec boasting black partially quilted premium leather seats. Ambient lighting is introduced in the N-Connecta, N-Design grades, and above, contributing to an enhanced onboard ambiance. Advanced red/green/blue LEDs allow for personalized interior lighting to suit individual preferences.
Technology like the surround-view camera now features a 3D function that provides multiple external camera viewpoints for enhanced visibility and safety, whether moving backward or forward. The “invisible hood view” allows drivers to see the position of the front wheels, facilitating precise maneuvering in tight spaces such as multi-story car parks.
What’s even cooler is the system can remember frequently used parking spaces and will pop on when it knows you’re getting close. Finally, systems like Autonomous Emergency Braking, Emergency Stop Signal, and Lane Keep Assist have all been recalibrated for improved risk detection and quicker reaction time.
e-Power Sounds Like A Perfect Hybrid Driving Experience
Perhaps the coolest part of the entire refresh is something the Qashqai has actually been using for a couple of years now: the e-Power drivetrain. This innovative system completely forgoes the use of a gearbox because the 1.5-liter, three-cylinder combustion engine is utilized strictly as a generator for the 188-horsepower electric motor and 1.8 kWh battery. This way, you’re able to get the benefit of instantaneous and linear electric power without having to worry about a massive heavy battery to charge every time you run out of juice. Get used to hearing about e-Power, as Nissan is planning seven new cars in the US by 2027, including e-Power derivatives.
Related
Nissan’s e-Power Is The Perfect Middle-Ground Between ICE And EV Cars
It may be fitted with a gas-powered engine, but it operates as an electric vehicle.
News Summary:
- New Nissan Qashqai Shows Us The Rogue Sport That Could Have Been
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