Nissan’s small Qashqai SUV was freshened earlier this year in a re-aligned model range with a new N-Design grade flagship with hybrid power standard – the Qashqai e-Power hybrid N-Design $58,990 drive-away. Nissan have added new technology and equipment, freshened the styling, at the same time cutting the previous rather high servicing costs and providing a longer warranty – but hybrid pricing remains high compared to petrol Qashqai models. However, the e-Power N-Design is packed with premium features – leather seats with massage function, a panoramic glass roof, 20-inch alloy wheels, a power tailgate and a most impressive digital dash and touchscreen, thankfully with a mix of buttons The 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo in the petrol models replaced by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol turbo – and here the e-Power works differently to a conventional hybrid – the petrol engine purely powers a generator connected to a 2.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack – only the e-motor drives the front wheels – this hybrid system adds around 200 kilos over a conventional petrol Qashqai but it offers over a 900km driving range. Despite the e-Power hybrids exalted price tag the drive experience is very rewarding. Warranty including battery five-years unlimited km or an impressive 10-years/300,000km if serviced by a Nissan dealer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.