Cheaper hybrid SUV coming to Australia: 2024 Nissan Qashqai ST-L e-Power tipped to take on the Toyota Corolla Cross and Hyundai Kona

Nissan is making its Qashqai hybrid SUV more affordable.

Currently Nissan only offers its e-Power hybrid set-up on its range-topping Ti grade, which is priced from $51,590 before on-road costs, but that is about to change.

Government homologation documents have revealed the Japanese brand is preparing to launch an ST-L variant of the Qashqai e-Power.

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Nissan Australia is tight-lipped on the new Qashqai ST-L e-Power variant. A Nissan Australia spokesperson said: "We are constantly reviewing our product line-up and ensuring we have the right product offering for the market".

It is unconfirmed for now, but it's unlikely Nissan would have gone through the 'approved for sale' process if they weren't planning on launching the vehicle here.

It is likely that vehicle will start at $46,390, as the brand is consistent with its $4200 premium for e-Power over the standard petrol-only equivalent vehicle.

Nissan Australia followed a similar path with its X-Trail e-Power hybrid, launching with the range-topper before bringing in a cheaper version after securing more supply.

The Japanese maker has taken a different route for its hybrids compared to petrol-electric pioneer Toyota.

An updated Qashqai is due to arrive later this year.

Nissan’s tech uses the 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine purely as a generator for the battery that feeds the electric motor. At no time does the petrol engine drive the wheels.

In Toyota hybrids, the petrol engine does most of the heavy lifting with the electric motor used for take-off and for short periods of cruising.

This results in the e-Power driving more like an electric car with zippy performance thanks to the 140kW and 330Nm on tap.

The Qashqai e-Power isn’t as efficient as conventional hybrids, drinking a claimed 5.2L/100km compared to 4.2L/100km for a similar sized Toyota Corolla Cross.

The new Qashqai has dramatically different styling.

The Qashqai ST-L hybrid will likely match the petrol version’s list of standard equipment with 19-inch alloy wheels, coloured side mirror caps, roof rails and chrome highlights on the windows.

Inside, buyers can expect cloth and synthetic leather upholstery, a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen and a 7.0-inch digital readout in the driver’s dash.

There will also be synthetic leather-wrapped steering wheel, in-built sat-nav and a wireless device charger.

It’s unclear whether Nissan will launch the Qashqai ST-L e-Power in the current model or wait for the facelifted vehicle to arrive at the end of this year.

The updated Qashqai features dramatically different styling with a completely reworked styling complete with lighting that runs the length of the front and a large front grille that is “inspired by the patterns of ancient Japanese armour scales”.