Nissan reveals key MY22 Qashqai range details

AS PREDICTED, Nissan Australia has confirmed outlined the company’s e-Power hybrid drivetrain will become part of its new Qashqai small SUV line-up following the initial launch early in 2022.

Key specifications and line-up details have also been announced, though those looking for pricing information will have to wait a little while longer.

Four trim levels will be offered locally from launch, all powered by the previously detailed 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine good for 110kW/250Nm, however an e-Power hybrid set-up will join the ranks in the later stages of next year.

In the meantime, the petrol donk will channel its power to the road via an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT), with the final configuration split between front- and all-wheel-drive yet to be confirmed.

The range will open with the ST trim level that rides on 17-inch alloy wheels as standard, complemented by an integrated rear spoiler and automatic LED headlights with high-beam assist.

As for the interior, the headline features include an 8.0-inch touchscreen providing wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity along with vision from the reversing camer an audio piled through a six-speaker stereo system. It also has a 7.0-inch TFT instrument cluster, adaptive cruise control and parking sensors at both ends.

Upping the visual ante with bigger 18-inch alloys and LED foglights will be the ST+ that adds native satellite navigation, automatic wipers and a bigger 9.0-inch infotainment unit featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and vision from the 360-degree ‘around view’ camera system.

Range-wide standard safety gear includes forward auto emergency braking, predictive forward collision warning with pedestrian, cyclist and junction detection, rear autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and prevention, blind-spot monitoring and intervention with rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, driver attention alert, rear seat alert and a centre airbag.

Above the ST duo will be the more lavishly equipped ST-L, which adds 19-inch alloys, adaptive driving beam headlights, rear privacy glass, roof rails and LED turn signals.

Inside the cabin is an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather-accented seats, heated front seats with eight-way power adjustment for the driver, wireless phone charging and dual-zone climate control.

Safety is stepped up further with Nissan’s advanced ProPilot adaptive cruise control system and lane-keep assist.

At the top of the 2022 Qashqai tree will be the Ti trim, wading into the Aussie market sporting a panoramic glass roof with an electric sunshade, a black headliner, ambient lighting, a 10.8-inch colour head-up display, 12.3-inch digital cockpit, a premium 10-speaker Bose audio system, quilted leather upholstery, massage and memory functions for the front seats and a powered tailgate.

Further bolstering the safety and driver aid tech suite are automated parking assist and side parking sensors.

According to Nissan Australia managing director Adam Paterson, the new Qashqai is “the perfect example of style meeting substance” on the account of its new look, premium cabin and “powerful yet efficient” engine.

“Bigger, smarter, safer, and more spacious, the new Qashqai is everything our customers are looking for in their next SUV, all wrapped in a stylish and well-equipped package, across the range,” he said.

As previously reported by GoAuto, the new-gen Qashqai rides on the Alliance’s new CMF-C platform, affording it bigger dimensions, increased torsional rigidity and a lighter body shell, resulting in improved handling and efficiency.

Handling should also be further enhanced on certain variants by the new multi-link rear suspension set-up which at this stage is earmarked for all-wheel-drive versions and those riding on 20-inch wheels – exactly which variants these will be remains to be seen, however the flagship Ti is the most likely candidate.