50 mpg in a Nissan crossover? Testing the new E-Power hybrid system

I noticed the engine run only twice during the drive: once at wide-open throttle and again when it likely spun up at higher rpm to help charge the battery. That latter moment produced the most harshness, though overall it’s among the smoothest gasoline-supported powertrains I’ve driven.

The E-Power system can operate in full-EV mode at the press of a button, but the engine still kicks in under full throttle. Because the wheels are driven by an electric motor, I expected a more immediate response when pressing the accelerator; instead the Qashqai behaves more like a conventional gas car, even in the sport setting.

A bit more snappiness would better demonstrate that E-Power can feel sporty when the driver wants it to. The Qashqai reached highway speeds without issue, and higher-speed acceleration—such as for overtakes—remained consistent. The car’s trip computer showed 47.7 mpg (4.93 L/100 km) in mixed driving; being left-hand-drive, that figure isn’t in imperial gallons.

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