2023 Nissan Qashqai price and specs: Up to $8300 more expensive

The 2023 Nissan Qashqai will cost up to $8300 more than the model it replaces when it arrives in showrooms in late 2022.

The first new version of Nissan’s small SUV in around nine years, prices of the new Qashqai range will start from $33,890 plus on-road costs for the entry-level ST automatic – an increase of $3300 over the outgoing ST auto, or $5300 more than the defunct ST manual.

The range-topping Ti has been hit with the largest price hike of all, with an $8300 jump for a total of $47,390 plus on-road costs – an increase of 21 per cent, pushing the flagship small SUV beyond $50,000 drive-away for the first time.

The mid-grade ST+ has risen by $5300 to $37,890 plus on-road costs – while the one-rung-up ST-L costs $7590 (or 22 per cent) more than before, at $42,190 plus on-road costs. That’s also $2900 more than the old Ti flagship ($39,090).

While prices have risen significantly, standard feature levels have also increased across the range – backed by a more modern platform under the skin, a new turbocharged engine, and a larger body.

Compared to its predecessor, buyers of the cheapest new Qashqai now get a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen, LED headlights, an enlarged 7.0-inch digital instrument display, and a full suite of advanced safety technologies.

The outgoing Qashqai ST offered autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane departure warning as standard, however the new model scores an updated AEB system with pedestrian, cyclist and intersection support, reverse AEB, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control.

There’s also a centre airbag placed between the front passengers, which has contributed to a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating overseas – though local body ANCAP has yet to announce the same score for Australia and New Zealand.

Meanwhile, justifying the flagship Ti’s $8300 price hike is a fully-digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster, enlarged 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 10.8-inch head-up display, memory and massaging for the front seats, 10-speaker Bose stereo, wireless phone charging, and a heated steering wheel.

Also new on Qashqai Ti and one-below ST-L ($7950 dearer than before) is the ProPilot semi-autonomous driving system, which combines adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist for ‘Level 2’ (hands on the wheel and eyes on the road) assisted driving on freeways.

For a full list of standard features available across the Nissan Qashqai range, scroll down to the equipment lists below.

Powering all Qashqai variants at launch is a new 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine shared across various Renault and Mercedes-Benz cars, to replace the old Qashqai’s 2.0-litre engine, used in various forms for nearly 15 years.

The new turbo mill develops 110kW and 250Nm – up 4kW/50Nm – and drives the front wheels through a continuously-variable automatic transmission (CVT) only, with no more six-speed manual option.

While it lacks the mild-hybrid system available in Europe, Australian-market Qashqai petrol models still manage a claimed fuel economy figure of 6.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving – down from the old model’s 6.9L/100km.

An E-Power hybrid (below) is due at a later date (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.

Nissan’s design contrasts that of Toyota, which allows its vehicles’ wheels to be powered by the petrol engine and/or electric motor. According to Nissan, E-Power delivers “[the] driving experience associated with a pure EV [electric vehicle], but without the need to recharge”.

The E-Power was previously due in showrooms in late 2022; Drive has contacted Nissan Australia to confirm the latest update on launch timing. Pricing for the hybrid has yet to be confirmed.

Eight single-tone colours are available across the range: Magnetic Blue, Gun Metallic (grey), Ceramic Grey, Platinum (silver), Burgundy, Fuji Sunset Red, Ivory Pearl (white) and Pearl Black. All except Magnetic Blue cost extra.

ST+, ST-L and Ti buyers can also opt for five two-tone colour schemes: Ivory Pearl, Fuji Sunset Red, Ceramic Grey and Magnetic Blue with a Pearl Black roof, or Pearl Black with a Gun Metallic roof.

The 2023 Nissan Qashqai range is due in Australian showrooms in late 2022.