The UK best-seller – and the car credited with creating the crossover category – is tested in clever e-Power hybrid form for a week by Al Suttie.

Nissan Qashqai Tekna+ 190 e-Power

List price (BiK): £41,105 (29%) | CO2: 119g/km | Economy: 53.3mpg | Test efficiency: 49.5mpg

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Monday

Given how ubiquitous the Nissan Qashqai is, it’s been quite a while since I last drove one. That was remedied this morning when the updated Qashqai arrived in the shape of an e-Power hybrid model in snazzy Tekna+ trim and finished in optional Fuji Sunset red paint. While the paint impresses, it’s the drivetrain of this model that intrigues me most for the week ahead.

Tuesday

In e-Power form, the Qashqai has a 1.5-litre 190hp petrol engine that drives the front wheels. However, the engine works as a generator to charge the battery rather than directly powering the front wheels. This becomes obvious when you see the dash graphic that says whether the engine is running or the car is gaining electricity from regenerative braking. It’s simpler than it sounds and the Qashqai is easy to drive.

Wednesday

For most of the time, the Nissan seems to bimble about on battery alone, so it’s very quiet and has decent acceleration – it’s claimed to cover 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds and feels every bit as brisk as that. Better still, there is none of the delay or hesitation with this single-speed automatic transmission that I’ve experienced in other Qashqais with the CVT (continuously variable transmission) ’box.

Thursday

Even on the 20-inch wheels of this Tekna+ trim, the Qashqai deals with most surface niggles very well. The only time it puts a wheel wrong is at low speeds on pitted sections, where the Nissan can jar. As a result, it’s not quite as smooth as a Kia Sportage, but it’s still more than decent and the handling of this Qashqai is certainly an improvement on previous versions with better-contained body roll in faster corners.

Friday

After a few days with the Qashqai, it is obvious when the petrol engine comes into life to charge up the battery. It’s not the smoothest or most hushed motor and because it’s working to charge the battery rather than turn the wheels it can make a constant drone. It’s a shame as the Qashqai is generally very refined. The only other demerit is the amount of wind noise from around the door mirrors at motorway speeds.

Saturday

Is it me or do other Qashqai drivers experience more poor driving from others than in other cars? Maybe it’s the easy-going nature that the Nissan projects, but I’ve been cut up and had others pull out in front of me more this week than I can ever remember. This is all on familiar routes and regular journeys, so I can only suppose the Qashqai is seen as easy prey by those with less concern for road safety.

Sunday

A week of driving has seen the Qashqai notch up several hundred miles, yet the fuel gauge is only just below halfway. The onboard computer says 49.5mpg average economy, which is decent, but it feels like the Nissan has performed better than that. Either way, it’s frugal and goes a long way on each gallon, which bodes well for higher-mileage company users.