The latest Qashqai e-POWER has made headlines by driving from Land’s End to John O’Groats on just one tank of fuel – with around 100 miles of range left at the end. The journey covered 837 miles over 18 hours spread across two days, averaging 75 miles per gallon. That’s well above the official figure of 62mpg and is enough to give the Qashqai best-in-class fuel economy in its category.
This isn’t the first time a Qashqai has made the trip. Back in 2007, the original diesel model did the same route at just over 67mpg. The difference this time is that the new hybrid managed it with a fuel tank 10 litres smaller.
The Qashqai’s hybrid system is a little different to most. The petrol engine doesn’t drive the wheels directly – it acts as a generator to produce electricity, which then powers an electric motor. The motor is what actually drives the wheels.
That setup means you get a driving feel similar to an electric car, with smooth acceleration and no gear changes, but you don’t have to plug in.
The 2025 Qashqai e-POWER uses a reworked 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine linked to what Nissan calls a 5-in-1 powertrain, combining the motor, generator, inverter, increaser and reducer. Thermal efficiency is up to 42 percent, which helps the engine run more quietly and efficiently.
On paper, the car produces 190PS and 310Nm of torque. Official fuel consumption is 4.5 litres per 100km, with CO₂ emissions of 102g/km.
A run like this shows what’s possible for hybrids in real-world conditions. Covering the length of the UK without refuelling puts the Qashqai in diesel territory for range, but with the smoothness of electric drive. For drivers who aren’t ready to go full electric – or who don’t have easy access to charging – it’s an interesting middle ground.
The Qashqai has long been one of the most popular family cars in the UK, thanks to its mix of comfort, practicality and easy-going driving manners. It has space for the kids, a boot that can handle the weekly shop or a weekend away, and a driving position that gives good visibility without feeling bulky.
With the latest e-POWER updates, it’s now also one of the most economical petrol-powered family SUVs you can buy.