2026 Nissan Qashqai to go hybrid only as it chases down Toyota, Hyundai small SUV with upgraded e-Power system

September 8, 2025September 8, 2025 Toby Hagon 9032 Views e-Power, nissan, Qashqai

The Nissan Qashqai is set to switch to hybrid only in the first half of 2026 as the Japanese brand takes advantage of increasing consumer demand for fuel-misering petrol-electric vehicles.

The switch to hybrid only for Nissan Australia’s fourth best-selling model will coincide with the arrival of the third generation e-Power system which promises a 13 per cent efficiency improvement and an 11kW power gain.

The Qashqai e-Power still pairs a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo engine with an electric motor, but a larger turbo and other tweaks have improved efficiency within the engine. As before, the engine never drives the wheels, instead only generating electricity to use in the electric system, the motor of which does drive the wheels.

The updated model uses a claimed average of 4.5 litres per 100km according to the European WLTP test cycle, making it more competitive with the Toyota Corolla Cross (4.2L/100km) and Hyundai Kona Hybrid (3.9L/100km) it competes with.

The move to drop petrol only models also gives Nissan extra artillery in the fight against CO2 emissions regulations as part of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), in turn giving the company all important credits to continue selling its V8-powered Patrol four-wheel drive, which is proving more popular than ever in the twilight of the current Y62 model’s life.

“Australian drivers have spoken clearly through their purchasing decisions, particularly in higher-grade models – demonstrating clear preference for the smooth, efficient, and refined EV-like driving experience that e-Power delivers,” said Warwick Daly, Deputy Director Product & Retail Campaigns, Nissan Australia.

Nissan says the technology gives people an EV-like driving experience without the need to recharge.

Despite pointing to customer demand, sales figures supplied by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries show that of 3407 Qashqais sold in the first eight months of 2025, only 20 per cent of them were e-Power variants.

Nissan’s move partly mimics that of Japanese giant Toyota, which in 2024 switched some of its most popular models to hybrid only, something that has reinforced the natural demand for the petrol-electric tech that more and more buyers are gravitating to.

Speaking at the media launch of the Nissan Ariya electric SUV, Nissan Oceania managing director Andrew Humberstone said the shift to hybrid only was in response to changing consumer demand.

“We’re following the market, we’re following customer demand,” he said. “The Nissan strategy is to meet with customer expectations, not to enforce our own product strategy on them. We didn’t want to lead in that space, we wanted to be a fast follower.”

He also says the hybrid Qashqai move was, in part, due to tougher emissions regulations that penalise cars that exceed strict new CO2 regulations.

He says the Patrol’s 5.6-litre V8 engine – the last in its class now that the rival Toyota LandCruiser has switched to a V6 – is a drawcard for buyers.

2026 Nissan Qashqai e-Power. — The 2026 Nissan Qashqai will be e-Power only in Australia.

“I would rather optimise on my Patrols,” he said when asked about the importance of lowering emissions on other models or potentially limiting sales of the Patrol to avoid penalties. “The idea is to grow (sales), not to limit.”

What’s not yet known is what the updated Qashqai e-Power will cost.

The cheapest model is currently $47,165 for the Ti variant, which is one of the more luxurious variants.

More affordable ST and ST-L models aren’t currently available in hybrid e-Power guise.

But using a similar $4200 price premium – and assuming Nissan spreads the e-Power tech to those more affordable variants – the Qashqai is likely to start at around $39,000 before on-road costs.

That would put it within firing range of the rival Toyota Corolla Cross (from $37,440) and Hyundai Kona hybrid (from $36,700).