New Nissan Qashqai facelift spotted testing for the first time

Nissan is looking to give its mid-size SUV a mid-life update

The Qashqai is Britain’s best-selling car and looking to capitalise on its success, Nissan is already working on the car’s mid-life refresh, and we’ve caught it testing on the public road. 

Introduced in 2021, the third-generation Qashqai has been a hit (like its forebears), thanks to a premium-feeling interior, extra practicality and improved levels of technology. As this is the first instance of seeing the updated model, we expect it to arrive sometime in 2024, once again rivalling the likes of the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Ford Puma and its sister model from Renault, the Austral.

Camouflage at the front of the car suggests the new Qashqai will be given a redesigned grille, headlight and bumper arrangement – perhaps a more streamlined look influenced by the newer Ariya EV is in store. To the rear we can see this isn’t the all-electric Qashqai that has been rumoured as there’s an exhaust protruding under the camouflaged rear bumper. The rear light cluster could take on a new signature, and expect to see a revised bumper here too. 

The interior of the current Qashqai is one of its best assets so we don’t expect much to change there. Twin 12.3-inch displays will continue to sit on the dash although we could see more equipment included as standard across the range. 

The current Qashqai has a selection of two powertrains – a mild-hybrid 1.3-litre petrol engine with 138bhp and the e-Power model with a 1.5-litre petrol engine acting as a generator to charge the electric motor for 158bhp. Sitting on the CMF-CD platform, we doubt any more powertrains will arrive with the new version of the Qashqai. 

In entry-level Visia trim with the mild-hybrid engine, the Qashqai costs from £27,120. The mid-life facelift is likely to bump this figure up nearer to £30,000.

Want the latest car news in your inbox? Sign up to the free Auto Express email newsletter...

Senior news reporter

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now, as our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews.

Recommended

£3bn for Nissan Sunderland to build all-electric Juke, Qashqai and next-generation Leaf
Nissan Sunderland
News

£3bn for Nissan Sunderland to build all-electric Juke, Qashqai and next-generation Leaf

The UK’s largest car plant will receive huge investment to build Nissan’s next generation of EVs
24 Nov 2023
Best-selling cars 2023: the UK’s top 10 most popular models
Best-selling cars 2023 - header image
Best cars & vans

Best-selling cars 2023: the UK’s top 10 most popular models

2022’s best-seller had another strong registrations boost in October, but it's yet to overtake the Ford Puma
6 Nov 2023
New Nissan Hyper Force Concept unveiled: is the GT-R going electric?
Nissan Hyper Force Concept - front static
News

New Nissan Hyper Force Concept unveiled: is the GT-R going electric?

The final of Nissan’s five Tokyo Motor Show concept cars is a 1,341bhp electric supercar with solid-state battery technology
25 Oct 2023
The new Nissan Hyper Punk is a concept car for influencers 
Nissan Hyper Punk – front
News

The new Nissan Hyper Punk is a concept car for influencers 

Nissan says the Hyper Punk offers seamless connectivity between the ‘virtual and physical’ world 
19 Oct 2023

Most Popular

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed
Dacia Duster - front
News

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed

Dacia has taken the wraps off the latest Duster, which arrives with a new look and fresh technology
29 Nov 2023
New Renault Scenic 2023 review: the famous nameplate returns in style
Renault Scenic - front
Road tests

New Renault Scenic 2023 review: the famous nameplate returns in style

We get behind the wheel of new all-electric Renault Scenic to see what all the fuss is about
27 Nov 2023
“Renault is taking over as the manufacturer of cars for the people”
Opinion - Renault Twingo
Opinion

“Renault is taking over as the manufacturer of cars for the people”

Mike Rutherford thinks Renault is doing more than any other manufacturer when it comes to making affordable electric cars
26 Nov 2023