2023 Nissan Qashqai receives tech upgrade before launch
Nissan's new small SUV is set for a larger touchscreen than first promised – though prices are yet to be announced, as its delayed second half of 2022 launch approaches.
The new-generation 2023 Nissan Qashqai small SUV has received a notable technology boost before the first cars ever reach showrooms in the second half of 2022 – six months later than anticipated – tying it with China's Haval Jolion for the largest infotainment screen in its class.
Specifications confirmed this evening by Nissan Australia will see its new Qashqai small SUV offered with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen on all but the base ST model, with wireless and wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, digital radio and satellite navigation.
The new screen represents a significant upgrade over the 9.0-inch display previously confirmed for top-end Qashqai variants in September last year – and as of writing is even not available in Europe or the UK, the latter being where the car is built.
Shared with the new mid-size X-Trail SUV – on which the screen debuted, in the Chinese market – the 12.3-inch display looks to run a different version of Nissan's latest infotainment software, with a unique shortcut panel sitting below.
It's available on all but the base Qashqai variant (ST+, ST-L and Ti), and high-spec Ti and Ti-L versions of the X-Trail.
The cheaper Qashqai ST and X-Trail ST and ST-L employ a smaller 8.0-inch screen – shared with all versions of the new Z sports coupe – while all variants of the seven-seat Pathfinder large SUV employ a 9.0-inch touchscreen.
Standard feature lists are otherwise unchanged from those announced by Nissan Australia last September – these are included at the bottom of this story.
Prices for the 2023 Nissan Qashqai range are still to be confirmed, however the significant increase in standard features on offer suggests a healthy increase over the $30,590 plus on-road costs of the outgoing ST automatic base model.
All models at launch will be powered by a new 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine used in various Renault and Mercedes-Benz models – replacing the old Qashqai's 2.0-litre engine, used in the car (and in the Qashqai's predecessor, the Dualis) for nearly 15 years.
The new engine develops 110kW and 250Nm – up 4kW/50Nm – and drives the front wheels through a continuously-variable automatic transmission (CVT), with no more six-speed manual option. Independent rear suspension is standard for a sharper driving experience.
Despite lacking the mild-hybrid system available in Europe, Australian-market Qashqai petrol models are said to be able to sip 6.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres in combined driving, down from the outgoing model's 6.9L/100km claim.
An E-Power hybrid model is due to arrive after the 1.3-litre petrol cars (click here for full details), which uses a 115kW 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine as a generator to top up a battery pack, which in turn powers a 140kW/330Nm electric motor on the front axle.
That's in contrast to a Toyota-style hybrid system, which can power its wheels through the petrol engine and/or electric motor. Nissan says its system delivers "[the] driving experience associated with a pure EV [electric vehicle], but without the need to recharge".
All new Nissan Qashqai models come equipped with a full suite of advanced safety technology, including autonomous emergency braking (with intersection support), lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring (with braking), rear cross-traffic alert and traffic sign recognition, plus a front centre airbag.
Other standard features include LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, a 7.0-inch driver display, six speakers, cloth seats, keyless entry and start, and rear air vents.
Features exclusive to higher-end models include 19-inch wheels, adaptive LED headlights, quilted leather upholstery, a 10.8-inch head-up display, 12.3-inch widescreen instrument display, memory and massaging seats, and ProPilot semi-autonomous driving tech.
The 2023 Nissan Qashqai is due to arrive in Australia in the second half of 2022.
2023 Nissan Qashqai ST standard features:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Automatic LED headlights (with LED daytime-running lights)
- 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 7.0-inch instrument cluster display
- Six-speaker sound system
- Reversing camera
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Two USB ports
- Rear spoiler
- Eco, Normal and Sport modes
- Multi-link independent rear suspension
- Forward autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, and intersection support
- Reverse AEB with pedestrian detection
- Lane-keep assist
- Blind-spot monitoring (with braking)
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Traffic-sign recognition
- Driver attention alert
- Auto high-beams
- Rear seat alert
- Front-centre airbag
2023 Nissan Qashqai ST+ adds (over ST):
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay (versus the ST's wired-only setup)
- Satellite navigation
- LED fog lights
- Automatic wipers
- 360-degree camera with Moving Object Detection
2023 Nissan Qashqai ST-L adds (over ST+):
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Adaptive LED headlights with LED indicators
- Leather-accented upholstery
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat
- Wireless smartphone charging
- Dual-zone climate control
- ProPilot semi-autonomous driving function (adaptive cruise control with three-second stop-and-go)
- Privacy glass
- Roof rails
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
2023 Nissan Qashqai Ti adds (over ST-L):
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.8-inch colour head-up display
- Panoramic glass sunroof (with electric sunshade)
- Quilted premium leather upholstery
- Memory and massaging front seats (joining heating)
- 10-speaker Bose premium sound system
- Hands-free power tailgate
- Ambient interior lighting
- Semi-automated park assist
- Side parking sensors
- Black headlining
- Unique rear bumper finisher