Nissan Qashqai 2024: a mid-life makeover

Published: 17 April 2024 Updated: 17 April 2024

► Full debrief on facelift Nissan Qashqai
► Tech and design changes only
► Electric version is on the way

Though Nissan’s all-electric future may be in sight, it isn’t quite finished with the current crop just yet.

Meet the new Qashqai – an evolution of the latest third-generation model, it’s received a few touch-ups for 2024 to strengthen Nissan’s already firm grip on the compact crossover segment before a full transition to the plug.

That’s right, a fully electric Qashqai is on the way. It’ll be produced at the Nissan Plant in Sunderland alongside electrified versions of the JUKE and the LEAF, forming part of Nissan’s EV36ZERO future.

But back to the here and now. Read on to find out how Nissan’s changed and updated the Qashqai, including which new driver aids, safety systems and other tech will be available on the model.

A refreshed exterior look…

Nissan’s revisited the Qashqai’s front end, updating the front grille with a pattern of myriad high-gloss, comma-like shapes to emulate the patterns of ancient Japanese armour scales.

There are now more body-coloured panels, including the flanks of the bumpers and, as part of a new N-Design trim grade, the wheel arches. N-Design also includes 20” alloy wheels to complete a bolder look.

The Qashqai’s headlights also have received the update treatment. They now feature an adaptive high beam module to improve visibility in low-light conditions, along with new daytime running lights, shaped to match the commas of the grille.

Depending on the trim grade, sequential indicator lights are also now available on the Qashqai for the first time.

Around the back, it’s much the same story. The rear lights have been redesigned to include lighting elements shaped in the style of the grille commas, while the bumper has been reshaped to match the more striking aesthetic of the car. It’s available in gloss black or in N-Design grade, you guessed it – body-colour.

Along with the revisited shape design, a handful of new paint colours are also now available on the Qashqai. They include a softer, cleaner Pearl White, a more ominous Pearl Black and, supposedly, a more thought-provoking Deep Blue.

Don’t forget the interior

Customers who select one of the upper levels of the Qashqai trim range will receive a pasting of Alcantara around their cabin. On all models, there are now new materials on show, particularly in the fit and finish around the centre console.

There’s a fully customisable TFT screen on offer, plus a head-up display – one that’s projected onto the windscreen. And of course there’s a new 9-inch infotainment system with a list of services as long as your arm, but more on them later.

There are refreshed seat trims on offer including a partially quilted design, though Nissan seemed most enthused by the introduction of adaptive ambient lighting around the cabin. ‘Up to 64 colour choices’ we heard, the team beaming.

What about new tech?

The new Qashqai has received a significant provision of new tech and driving aids, too. They include an upgraded version of Nissan’s Around View Monitor system with a new 3D function. It allows drivers to monitor the car from eight different angles – the front of the car, from the rear, the sides and the corners – as well as from the top down.

This newly integrated system can also improve vehicle safety when exiting one road onto another with poor visibility. It’ll even save where the location of the potentially dangerous spot is then reactivate when you get close to it again.

In conjunction with the newly uprated AVM system, the new Qashqai can also be spec’d with what Nissan is calling ‘Harry Potter Mode’. No, you did indeed read that correctly.

Invisible hood view or ‘Harry Potter Mode’ removes the body of the car from the monitoring feed, leaving only the wheels in view on the display.

The idea is that without the body of the car obstructing your view of the wheels, it should be easier to keep track of where they are relative to nearby hazards like high curbs. No more chipping alloys when parallel parking or flying around the corners of multi-storey car parks.

Talk to me about connectivity

The 2024 Qashqai comes with several Google services integrated into the car’s infotainment suite – the first car in Nissan’s European range to do so.

Included in the package is an integrated Google Maps app, a voice-activated Google Assistant that can control several functions in the car including the heated seats and ventilation, and access to Google Play.

Via the latter, apps can be downloaded onto the car’s infotainment software itself, rather than hooking up a smartphone as would be the case for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

An updated version of Nissan Connected Services will also keep an eye on your car for you, notifying you if you forget to lock your doors or close all your windows, or if your car is being tampered with.

You can even now carry out the first two functions from your smartphone for even greater convenience.

Have any changes been made to the engine, brakes or suspension?

No, Nissan has left the core setup of the car alone, focussing instead on the Qashqai’s safety, connectivity and the quality of its design.

‘That’s where we know our customers’ priories lie,’ Clíodhna Lyons explained, regional Vice President of Product & Services Planning.

‘That’s where we know the compact crossover segment is extremely competitive and so that’s where we’ve kept our focus – to remain the leader of the pack in that segment.’

So, Nissan is sticking with the same 1.3-litre mild-hybrid and a range extender, 1.5-litre hybrid known as E-power.

This drivetrain comes in five flavours, as listed below, the most powerful version also being available with a more ‘intuitive and intelligent’ four-wheel-drive system that has five driving modes. It’s also claimed to shuffle torque split more effectively, redistributing power to the rear wheels up to five times quicker than the previous set-up.