Nissan Qashqai

The Nissan Qashqai is an entry-level compact SUV produced under Dongfeng Nissan.Since its local introduction by Dongfeng Nissan in 2008, the Qashqai has consistently been a frontrunner in China's joint-venture SUV segment thanks to its well-rounded capabilities and dependable build quality, establishing itself as a key sales pillar for the brand.As of June 2026, the Qashqai is sold across multiple generations concurrently in the Chinese market, covering the all-new 2026 model, the 2025 Qashqai Honor, and the e-POWER hybrid variant, with prices ranging from RM90,000 to RM170,000.Its primary rivals include the Toyota Frontlander, Honda HR-V, and Volkswagen Tharu.

Design Language

On the styling front, the 2026 Qashqai adopts Nissan's latest V-Motion 3.0 design language.The front fascia features a prominent smoked frameless grille,flanked by sharp split LED headlights and blade-style daytime running lights (DRLs), delivering far greater visual presence than its predecessor.Along the flanks, a floating roof design with blacked-out D-pillars is paired with 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels,creating an athletic, forward-leaning stance.At the rear, it gets 3D full-width LED taillights and a hidden exhaust setup.Dimensionally, the Qashqai Honor measures 4,407 mm long, 1,837 mm wide, and 1,610 mm tall, with a 2,646 mm wheelbase;the e-POWER model comes in slightly larger at 4,425 mm in length, 1,835 mm in width, and 1,625 mm in height, riding on a 2,665 mm wheelbase.New exterior paint finishes for 2026 include Starlight Silver and Polar Night Blue.Inside, the 2026 Qashqai boasts generous soft-touch leather upholstery accented with detailed contrast stitching.A 12.3-inch floating central touchscreen is standard across the range, while selected variants gain a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster.Top-spec variants feature Nissan's signature Zero Gravity ergonomic seats, complete with heating, ventilation, and memory functions for the front occupants.

Powertrain and Performance

The Qashqai is offered with various powertrain choices in China. On the pure petrol front, the 2025 Qashqai Honor is powered by an MR20 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine producing 111 kW (151 PS) and 194 Nm of torque.The 2026 petrol range features a 1.5T VC-Turbo variable-compression engine delivering 150 kW, returning a WLTC combined fuel consumption of 6.2 L/100 km;a 1.3T turbocharged option is also available, outputting 116 kW and 270 Nm.All petrol engines are paired with an Xtronic CVT.Leading the 2026 lineup is the e-POWER hybrid variant,which combines a 1.5T three-cylinder range extender with a 151 kW electric drive motor.Operating on a series hybrid setup where the petrol engine acts strictly as a generator while the electric motor exclusively drives the wheels,it achieves a remarkable WLTC rated fuel consumption of just 4.5 L/100 kmand a total cruising range of up to 1,200 km on a full tank.

Chassis and Handling

Chassis dynamics remain one of the Qashqai's standout strengths. Built on the Renault-Nissan CMF modular platform,the entire range comes equipped with four-wheel independent suspension, featuring MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link setup at the rear.Standard rear multi-link suspension is a rarity among joint-venture SUVs in the RM100,000 segment.The ride is tuned for comfort,effectively soaking up minor road imperfections.With a ground clearance of 183 mm,it strikes a practical balance between rough-road capability and road-holding stability,while light steering makes it effortless to manoeuvre in urban settings.

Cabin and Features

Inside the cabin, all variants come standard with a 12.3-inch floating infotainment touchscreen,running the Nissan Connect 2.0 system that supports online navigation, 4G connectivity, OTA updates, voice control, and smartphone remote app functions.Mid-to-high spec models upgrade to a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.The infotainment setup also supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.Configured as a five-seater,the rear bench features 60:40 split-folding capability.Boot space ranges between 456 litres and 486 litres under standard conditions.The Qashqai Honor adds amenities such as a panoramic glass roof with an electric sunshade, smart keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, and an in-cabin PM2.5 air purifier.

Safety and Driver Assistance

On the passive safety front, the Qashqai is fitted with front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, and dual front knee airbags.For active safety, the SUV features the Nissan ProPILOT systemand the NISSAN i-SAFETY suite, incorporating Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Rear Automatic Braking (RAB), and Intelligent High Beam (IHB).Higher-spec grades offer Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities,bringing Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), a 360-degree surround-view monitor, front and rear parking sensors, Lane Change Assist, and Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR).

Market Performance and Evaluation

The Qashqai has historically been a core volume driver for Dongfeng Nissan, regularly breaching the 10,000-unit monthly milestone at its peak.In 2025, it recorded total sales of 88,018 units, ranking as Nissan's second best-selling model in China after the Sylphy.However, sales have faced headwinds since 2024.Combined sales for January and February 2026 stood at 9,493 units,rebounding to 5,931 units in Marchbefore dipping to 2,711 units in April.These sales fluctuations underscore the intensifying market pressure joint-venture marques face in the compact SUV space.

The Qashqai's primary selling points lie in its composed chassis dynamics courtesy of standard rear multi-link suspension,plush 'zero-gravity' seating comfort,the exceptional fuel efficiency of the e-POWER hybrid system,and its tried-and-tested mechanicals.Conversely, its drawbacks are noticeable: the infotainment's responsiveness and smart features trail behind local Chinese rivals in the same bracket,high-speed wind and tyre noise insulation could be better,and some owners note relatively thin body paint.All in all, the Qashqai remains an unpretentious, sensible family SUV—prioritising investment into fundamentals like chassis engineering, ride comfort, and efficient powertrains. In the RM100,000 to RM150,000 joint-venture compact SUV segment, its balanced proposition and low running costs ensure it retains a loyal following.