N-Design grade joins updated Nissan Qashqai

NISSAN has introduced its refreshed Qashqai SUV range to local showrooms this week, the MY25 update seeing a considerable change in styling and connectivity.

Priced from $34,665 plus on-road costs – and with an introductory price on $32,665 until April 30 – the Hyundai Kona and Toyota Corolla Cross rival brings no change to the model’s tried and tested mechanical package.

Importantly, the grade walk for the MY25 Nissan Qashqai now more closely resembles that of the larger X-Trail: The entry ST grade is unchanged, but the ST+ becomes the ST-L, the ST-L the Ti, and the Ti the Ti-L.

The range is topped by the addition of the stylish N-Design e-Power, one of two petrol-electric grades offered across the Qashqai range.

The N-Design grade is characterised by body-coloured sill and wheel arche trims, 20-inch alloy wheels, gloss black wing mirror scalps, and blackened roof rails.

Those changes join broader updates including a striking three-dimensional grille, new LED headlights and DRLs, Super Red tail-lights with clear lenses, and a bevvy of grade-specific alloy wheels ranging from 17- to 20 inches in diameter.

Three new paint colours join the Qashqai palette: Pearl White, Black Onyx, and Deep Ocean. A black-painted roof is available on Ti grades and above.

Moving inside, Nissan says the Qashqai’s cabin has been “enhanced to deliver an upscale ambience” with new patterned finishes adorning the centre control and decorative insert between the upper dashboard and glovebox.

On higher trim grades we find the application of Alcantara inserts on the dashboard, door card inlays, door armrests, centre console lid, and front-seat knee pads.

Upholstery is likewise refreshed with the N-Design grade adopting Alcantara and synthetic leather combination seating material.

Nissan now offers the Qashqai range with ambient LED lighting on Ti grades and above and a larger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity for all variants.

Further, connected car services and the Nissan Connect app give owners “instant access to their vehicle, with the ability to access key health and status information, trip history and any vehicle disturbances, including theft and tow alert” via their mobile phone.

For the Qashqai ST (from $34,665 plus on-road costs) we find equipment updates including 17-inch alloy wheels, auto wipers, new head- and tail-lights, a 12.3-inch infotainment array, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, two front and one rear USB-C charging ports, dual-zone climate control, connected car services, a synthetic leather accented steering wheel, and keyless entry with walkway lock and unlock functions.

Standard safety equipment includes a rear-view camera and rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, AEB with cyclist and pedestrian detection and junction assist, lane departure warning, lane keep assist and intervention, blind spot assist and intervention, tyre pressure monitoring, traffic sign recognition and active speed limiter, and cross traffic alert with rear automatic braking.

For the ST-L, now from $38,665 plus on-road costs – or from $37,665 until April 30 – we find 18-inch alloy wheels, sat nav, wireless phone charging pad, 360-degree camera system with moving object detection, and front parking sensors added to the list.

Mid-tier Ti, from $42,965 + ORC (with no special pricing) adds 19-inch alloys, privacy glass, optional two-tone black roof, roof rails, auto LED headlights with adaptive beam, satin chrome grille detailing, new LED tail-lights, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, ambient LED cabin lighting, frameless rear-view mirror with auto dimming, heated steering wheel and front seats, leather accented steering wheel, eight-way powered driver seat adjustment with memory function, PVC and leather accented upholstery, and passenger seat lumbar support.

Safety inclusions step up to include Nissan’s semi-autonomous ProPilot driver assistance technology.

The penultimate Qashqai Ti-L – from $48,165 +ORC in petrol format or $52,365 +ORC for the e-Power – adds 20-inch alloys, a panoramic glass roof with powered sunshade, handsfree powered tailgate, Alcantara cabin garnishing, 10.8-inch head-up display, 10-speaker Bose audio system, genuine leather accented upholstery, massaging front seats, an eight-way powered front passenger seat, black headlining, key-linked driver profiles, cargo area dividers, and tyre repair kit (e-Power only).

Finally, the flagship Qashqai N-Design – from $54,365 +ORC and in e-Power format only – adds red finished LED tail-lights, bespoke 20-inch alloys, body-colour bumpers and over-fenders, gloss black waist moulding and wing mirror scalps, dynamic LED indicators, two-tone black roof, motion activated power tailgate, and a clear coated gunmetal foil stamp grille design.

Under the bonnet, the 2025 Nissan Qashqai retains the former model’s choice of a 110kW/250Nm 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and continuously variable transmission or petrol-electric e-Power unit comprising 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with power generator, inverter and electric motor. Total system power for the latter is 140kW/330Nm.

Nissan offers the Qashqai range with a 10-year/300,000km warranty including roadside assistance and flat price servicing bundle. Service intervals are set at 12 months or 15,000km (whichever comes first) and priced at $399 per visit.

The Small SUV under $45,000 segment Nissan Qashqai sold 6560 copies in Australia last year (2024), giving it a 4.5 per cent share of the segment.

Segment sales were dominated by the MG ZS (22,629 units), ahead of the Hyundai Kona (17,374), GWM Haval Jolion (14,238), Mazda CX-30 (12,672), Mitsubishi ASX (12,330), Subaru Crosstrek (11,545), Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (9221), Toyota Corolla Cross (8902), and shared Kia Seltos and Volkswagen T-Roc (both with 7777).

2025 Nissan Qashqai pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.