Real life car review - Nissan Qashqai e-Power

The Nissan Qashqai is now available with the e-Power drivetrain, which consists of the revolutionary Variable Compression engine mated to the e-Power transmission. How does is drive, what's it like to live with and what's the fuel consumption? Oh yeah, I'm aware that the audio is a bit off in certain segments, and I say that this is a quiet car a lot.
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0:00 Intro
0:50 Under the hood
3:09 Brief explanation of the VC-T engine
5:23 The interior
8:52 The trunk
9:34 Driving segment
16:42 Highway driving
18:07 Conclusion
20:23 Outro

[@user-kj8yf8ye2o]

At last! a review from someone with knowledge and a simple way of telling it. I pick my car up on Wednesday (26/04/2023) . This has helped me a lot. Thankyou Arnold.

[@Carnold_YT]

Thanks for watching John, good luck with your new Qashqai!

[@user-kj8yf8ye2o]

@@Carnold_YTI've been looking at this car on the internet for 6 months. Can't find anything in simple terms about when to use the various drive modes. It does seem that the complainers about the e-power don't know how to use it to it's capabilties. Could you help with that?. Maybe an update. Unfortunately the basic ignorance of this system is holding it back.

[@Carnold_YT]

I think most critics have a prejudice about anything that involves a combustion engine, and often times there is the accusation of 'greenwashing'. Fact of the matter is that the VC-T engine is a super efficient engine, and the e-Power is a super smart and also very efficient transmission. I found it easy to get good mpg, especially for a car this size. And the suspension and steering tuning is set up for driver / passenger comfort, so a smooth driving style is best suited for this car. As a result, you get great fuel economy. I must admit, I drive calm and I look far ahead (I drive motorcycles and trucks too, then it's a must) and that helps too ofcourse. I have driven a fair share of fast cars, but I feel more at home in comfort cruisers (hence I'm restoring a Lexus LS400). And that's why I like the e-Power drive train so much.

[@seltaeb3302]

​@@Carnold_YTIs the claim of getting about 650 miles out of a full tank of petrol (55ltrs)? And in town driving with all the Regen e-power braking that charges the bty with the engine coming on minimally. Thanks.

[@seltaeb3302]

How long was your wait then? As I last week was told 3 weeks! Some cars are at 6 months or more.

[@seltaeb3302]

It's always driving on EV, there's a ICE that charges the bty, so fundamentally it's always on EV power train. Instead of charging a whole heap of btys on your home electric, this uses a engine. These btys also have environmental damage. This setup means in town you will drive just about pure EV with ePedal braking. The ICE will give some input. This has a lot more going on for it once the detractors open their eyes. I get mine next week & will report back.

[@kenbrady7616]

Picking my QQ Tekna on 30/5/23 - This video has been very helpful thank you

[@Carnold_YT]

You're welcome and thanks for watching Ken!

[@GlynJones1]

Excellent review. I liked the level of detail that you went into. Keep it up :)

[@Carnold_YT]

Thanks for watching Glyn!

[@gfogerty54]

Thank you for this great review ! I am very happy about the detailed explanation of the variable compression. I just ordered that car...

[@Carnold_YT]

Thanks for watching! And good luck with your new car!

[@randykelly5692]

Thanks for your explanation

[@dinistic]

very good review! congrats and keep going!

[@Carnold_YT]

Thanks for watching Bruno!

[@jtownboy8221]

Thank you so much for this review Arnold! I have been looking for a detailed review of the Qashqai E-Power for awhile now, and this review has helped me decide between this car and the MHEV. Thank you once again, this is how proper car reviews should be done.

[@Carnold_YT]

Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching! Good luck with your new Qashqai!

[@jtownboy8221]

@@Carnold_YT But is the Nissan Qashqai ePower sustainably fast on the motorway, such as on the autobahn, without the battery 'giving up'?

[@Carnold_YT]

I drove the Qashqai from the north of France to home, in the north of the Netherlands at normal highway speeds, my average fuel consumption was 6,5 liters per 100 km. That would be around 44.6 mpg in the UK. If you exceed 130 km/h (around 80 mph) the fuel consumption dramatically increases - but that goes for any SUV of this size ofcourse. I'd reckon you would get 35-36 mpg.

[@robgordon9396]

Excellent review, I have subscribed!

[@Carnold_YT]

Thanks for watching!

[@mikejba]

Loving your reviews Arnold. Nice car. Good luck with the hayfever :)

[@Carnold_YT]

Thanks Mike! I got my allergy medication at hand for the next review ;-)

[@kerstboom20000]

Excellent review uitstekend

[@Carnold_YT]

Bedankt!

[@more9lives]

Nice review Arnold. Just like John Docherty I also like the technical details you added. However, when I did a test drive in this car I noticed sometimes a noise sounding like a drill. The dealer told me it is the generator kicking in. I am not sure if this is the same noise you mentioned (where you thought a leaf got stuck in the ventilator) but to me it sounded quite loud. I'm going to test drive it once again (different dealer) and see if that car also makes this noise. Perhaps it was just the particular car I drove. Still considering it for my next car though. I really liked the implementation of the automatic parking btw. Best one I ever experienced. Especially because it use both vison and the radar sensors to park. Meaning you can also park somewhere when no other cars are present. You just set the rectangle to the correct location and it will park there. (yes, I know, parking yourself it often much quicker, but I like the technology :-) )

[@Carnold_YT]

Hi Roel, I think the motor / generator noise is noticable because the Qashqai is a quiet car to begin with. I mostly noticed it when the motor started, but after a couple of seconds it drowns in with the background noises. Once it became apparent what the noise was, it didn't bother me a bit. I must admit I am one of those people whan can completely disassemble a car just to get rid of an annoying noise :-) Anyway, thanks for your comment and thanks for watching!

[@danhodson7187]

Talking is hard, but your English is exceptional, Arnold. I've just ordered my e-Power and I can't wait! Would've liked to hear about your opinions on the E Pedal feature, as that was quite a selling point for me on my test drive. But great review, thank you. Love from the UK. 🇬🇧

[@Carnold_YT]

Hi Dan, the e-Pedal is nice during city driving. It took a little while to get used to, mainly because you have learn to 'dose' the amount of pedal travel when you back off from the accelerator pedal. It is the same as with left foot braking, at first attempt you always apply too much force. Same with e-Pedal: you have to learn how much you have to move your right foot to achieve the desired decelleration. It takes just 10 minutes or so. I did notice my foot got tired after 30 minutes, because you constantly have to control your foot. I found e-Pedal nice on backroads too, during a sportier drive. Anyway, thanks for your comment and thanks for watching!

[@danhodson7187]

@@Carnold_YT yes definitely agree, Arnold. I did a 15-20 minute test drive and it caused a couple of jerky sharp brakes because I wasn’t used to it. The dealer did show me that it had saved 2 miles worth of regen braking though and got 69mpg displayed for the journey, so I thought that was good. Not sure how much I’d use E pedal in day to day but was very interesting to use 👍🏻

[@Lynn-zw7dr]

Thank you so much for this from Devon in the uk. We test drove that same model last saturday, then ordered it and it will arrive before Easter. Really excited for this car, originally we ordered the Kia Sportage, but found out it was only mild hybrid and poor fuel economy, so changed to this car, cannot wait, ordered the red which has an orange tinge to it. Cheers! ❤😊

[@Carnold_YT]

Thank you for your comment, I hope your new Qashqai will serve you well. Wishing you many safe miles!

[@seltaeb3302]

The Mild Hybrid is really a ordinary ICE car. How has it been now after a few months?

[@David-id8vu]

Arnold thanks for the review. I wonder what you think of this e-Power vs the Kona Hybrid? do you think the Kona side view cameras when indicating and the wheel mounted gear shift stick make for a better driving experience overall? Or do you think the smoother and quieter drive with slightly less instrument panel tech of the Qashqai is a better driving experience overall?

[@Carnold_YT]

I personally would choose the Qashqai, not only because the better ride and more refined drivetrain, but also because the advanced driver assist system work better in the Nissan. The systems in the Kona are real electronic nanny's in the sense that they warn you before there is a real danger (with a lot of beeps, audible for all your passengers). They are too cautious where as the Nissan just gives a visual or haptic warning. The Nissan is an alert friend that helps, the Kona is a driving instructor that just loves to correct you. Ofcourse you can switch it off, but you have to do that after every start. In the Nissan I didn't have that urge. Thanks for watching!

[@picardbs]

€45,000 for an n-Connecta? Where? In Italy it’s sold at less than €41,000

[@Carnold_YT]

In the Netherlands, where cars are taxed twice: the value added tax (21%) and motor vehicle tax (depending on CO² emissions). That adds up to high prices.

[@Gaurav.Shakya]

Honda ZR-V e:Hev LX or Qashqai epower, can u plz make a comparison video?

[@Carnold_YT]

That is an interesting idea, I'll see what I can do. Thanks for watching!

[@Gaurav.Shakya]

@@Carnold_YT thank you Arnold, would you suggest which one is a better option.

[@believeinjesusreadbiblerea5878]

Bmw 1 sries 118i m sport or e power ? Wich one? I don't kwon wich one to choose

[@Carnold_YT]

Those are two very different cars. But I'd choose the e-Power!

[@DJKav]

The Qashqai ePower has the same 0-62mph as the most powerful VW ID.3 EV. Which is 7.9s

[@Carnold_YT]

I think that's fast enough for any family car, do you agree?

[@DJKav]

@@Carnold_YT Plenty fast enough. Great to get out of tricky situations, well on the UK roads, Also, the battery pack is situated between the front seats and rear seats. There's some vents under the front seats, and the big square block tunnel in the rear footwell.

[@seltaeb3302]

​@@DJKavI think for me the acceleration from 30mph to 55mph say takes barely 2.5 secs. We don't normally start off from zero to 60mph in that way unless you are the next James Bond. I'm ordering mine tomorrow and in either Gun Metal Grey or the dark green Ocean Deep is very, well 007😎.

[@DJKav]

@@seltaeb3302 Nice, my MY23 ePower Tekna is doing great. I reset the MPG in Jan and it's reporting 52.8. Regularly 65+mpg on my 16mi school run on A roads. I usually leave it in ECO mode and D so I can coast where possible. I switch it into B mode when I need to slow for corners, traffic flows or coming up to junctions or lights. Only ever use the brakes to actually stop the car, mostly at 5mph. I have a lovely Magnetic Blue. I use to have a Gun Metal Grey in the MY17 1.5dci Tekna. Enjoy your car :)

[@JJ-pi4zj]

Nice video, thank you. Looking at seat quality at timestamp kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXfGYnSnjaqIrKM Is it a thing where people can/do install better, more appropriate/comfortable or customised seats into cars they recently acquired? Or is that kind of thing more appropriate for car customisers? I ask, because I'm about to obtain one of these, but it would be cool to know, that if I wanted, I could ditch the seats and install some more comfortable ones. This isn't just a question for Carnold, will take any thoughts :)

[@Carnold_YT]

There are companies that make custom car seats, suited to individual body shapes and sizes. Those can be fitted to any vehicle, but there may be issues with the airbag and seatbelt tensioner system. I assume that these custom made seats also have those safety systems, but it may depend on the car brand whether or not it is possible / difficult to make that work. But to answer your question in short: yes, it sure is possible. Maybe this link is helpful: scheel-mann.com

[@JJ-pi4zj]

@@Carnold_YT thanks very much for taking the time to reply. What you say makes sense.

[@seltaeb3302]

Being disabled I may need a adaptive seat as car seats are painful for me & I could only use Renault seats but they have changed them. Firms who do this do it mainly in van types Kangoo & only the Qashqia was listed. Also changing a seat may invalid your car insurance & even warranty. Check first.

[@seltaeb3302]

Wow 😲! The first reviewer who actually lifted the bonnet & spoke about the gubbins inside & thats when he lost me😴😉.

[@Carnold_YT]

Sorry about that 😊

[@seltaeb3302]

​@@Carnold_YTnot at all. I can't wait to get mine in a few days & will monitor its performance. When the Regen braking happens how does it stop the wheels & convert this action into bty charge. I initially thought on my test drive that e-Power braking is really quite sharp & thus wear the brakes out quicker, but no it seems to be the reverse & have less wear, so what slows the wheels? I will have to learn to half my usual braking point which was foot of accelerator & with car momentum & gentle braking at lights, junction. What happens on a sudden emergency braking when still switched to Regen? This is difficult, because we are changing braking in a fundamentally way. Our UK Driving Test will also have to change it's present criteria. Braking is very important & I don't think we've really thought about the Regen braking in depth & how we drive?