Entry/egress in the Nissan Qashqai is easy, into a spacious yet cosy interior that’s big on comfort, with an excellent driving position, ventilation and storage being strong drawcards. USB ports are available front and rear.

A 12.3-inch central touchscreen is standard across the board in Series II models, while physical buttons for the audio, climate and vehicle functions make it a simple and intuitive vehicle to understand and operate.

The analogue dials in base versions and extended digital displays on higher-spec grades are equally clear and concise to read. A head-up cluster reflected on the windscreen is offered in the Ti-L and N-Design.

Poor rear vision as a result of shallow side windows and thick pillars are the only real drawbacks.

Note that only the e-Power version of the Ti-L is saddled with a tyre repair kit. All others, including the N-Design e-Power, include a temporary spare wheel.

All Nissan Qashqais include LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry/start, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, walkaway central locking, USB-C outlets front and rear, a wireless phone charger, voice-control, Bluetooth connectivity, a centre touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, rear parking sensors, rear air vents, alloy wheels, a three-year connected app subscription and an extension from a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty to a 10-year/300,000km conditional/transferable warranty if serviced at a Nissan dealer.

On the safety front you also score autonomous emergency braking (AEB) front and rear, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and a reverse camera in all grades.

A 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine powers most Qashqai models, delivering 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) drives the front wheels.

The e-Power, meanwhile, is an EV-first hybrid, featuring a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, producing 116kW of power and 250Nm of torque on its own, charging a 2.1kWh lithium-ion battery and inverter, powering an electric motor. In total, that combination sends 140kW of power and 330Nm of torque to the front wheels, via a single-speed reduction-gear transmission.

The Qashqai Series II seats remain well-shaped and comfortably contoured. Their updated trim and materials vary with each grade, rising from cloth in base ST and ST-L to new PVC in mid-spec Ti to quilted leather in luxury Ti-L and Alcantara/synthetic leather in sporty N-Design.

Grades from Ti and up swap out the manual reclining adjustment for electrical assistance and heating elements, whilst the Ti-L also boasts massaging functionality.

The rear bench features a 60/40 split-fold backrest, is fixed, and includes a central armrest with cupholders.

Three child-seat tether latches are fitted, while the outboard positions also offer ISOFIX latches.

The Qashqai e-Power can accelerate from standstill to 100km/h (0-100km/h) in under 8.0 seconds, which is about a second quicker than the regular 1.3-litre turbo petrol’s 8.9s result, on the way to a top speed of about 170km/h (versus the latter’s 206km/h).

The regular internal combustion engine (ICE) Qashqai’s 1.3L turbo petrol unit averages between 5.8 and 6.1 litres per 100km on the combined cycle, translating to a carbon dioxide emissions rating of 138 and 134 grams/km respectively.

These figures fall to just 4.8L/100km and 112g/km when switching to the e-Power.

Expect between about 940km (ICE) and 1140km (e-Power) between refills of the 55L fuel tank, though be aware that more-expensive 95 RON premium unleaded petrol is recommended in both versions.