Comparison Nissan Qashqai vs. Nissan Ariya – hybrid car or electric car

Let’s start with the Qashqai’s e-Power concept: a three-cylinder turbo gasoline engine generates electrical energy and uses it to charge a lithium-ion battery. This current then drives the front axle via a synchronous motor.

That sounds good in theory, because direct drive combines the driving experience of an electric car with the safety of a combustion engine. Safety in the sense that you don’t have to rely on an electrical infrastructure if you, as a streetlight parker, don’t have access to the power grid and are plagued by range anxiety. With the e-Power concept you don’t have to plug in because the petrol engine supplies the energy with which the battery is charged.

In addition, energy can be recovered during braking through recuperation. There is also the One-Pedal option, which means that the Qashqai brakes automatically as soon as your foot is removed from the accelerator pedal. In practice, this works very well, although the brakes don’t apply particularly gently, but rather abruptly. This reduces the comfort a little.

Nissan Qashqai

The Qashqai is available as a petrol engine or hybrid and with either a manual or automatic transmission.

Nissan Ariya

With the Ariya, the technology is simpler – the more luxurious SUV has an electric motor and an automatic transmission.

Driving behavior

Nissan Qashqai: The Qashqai impresses with its balanced driving behavior. The suspension is stable but not uncomfortable, which ensures a sporty driving experience. The steering works directly and precisely. On the highway, the Qashqai exhibits stable road holding and offers a good level of noise.

Nissan Ariya: In contrast, the Ariya offers a smooth and comfortable ride typical of electric vehicles. Acceleration is impressive, especially in the version with two electric motors like the test car, which has all-wheel drive. The weight shift caused by the battery pack ensures a low center of gravity, which has a positive effect on driving dynamics. Overall, the Ariya drives like a comfortable US car, very pleasant for those who value comfort more than chasing curves.

cockpit

Nissan Qashqai: The cockpit of the Qashqai is modern and functional. A 12.3-inch touchscreen in the center console provides access to infotainment and navigation systems. The operation is intuitive, although the number of physical buttons could be reduced somewhat.

Nissan Ariya: The Ariya relies on a futuristic design with a continuous display that combines the instrument panel and infotainment. It is also operated via a large touchscreen, supplemented by voice control. The materials are high quality and give the interior a premium atmosphere.

Special equipment

Nissan Qashqai: The optional equipment includes a panoramic glass roof, a high-quality sound system and various assistance systems such as the ProPILOT driving assistant. In addition, numerous driver assistance systems are available.

Nissan Ariya: The Ariya offers a comprehensive package of optional equipment, including various driving modes, an expanded autonomous driving function and a head-up display. Here too, the selection of assistance systems is very large.

Space available

Nissan Qashqai: The Qashqai offers enough space for a compact SUV.

The dimensions: 4,425 meters long, 1,835 meters wide and 1,625 meters high.

Nissan Ariya: The Ariya impresses with its generous amount of space.

This makes it particularly attractive for families or longer trips. The dimensions: 4,595 meters long, 1.85 meters wide and 1.65 meters high.

trunk

Nissan Qashqai: With a trunk volume of 455 to 1440 liters, the Qashqai is well equipped for everyday life. The rear seats can be folded down so that the loading area can be enlarged, although the trunk opening remains relatively small.

Nissan Ariya: The Ariya offers a slightly smaller trunk volume of 415 to 1280 liters. The shape of the electric SUV and the ability to fold down the rear seats create a flexible charging solution that is suitable for different transportation needs.

Motorization, consumption and performance

Nissan Qashqai: The Qashqai offers a choice of petrol and diesel engines, in the test car the output was 158 hp for the petrol engine and 190 hp with the electric drive. The combined consumption is 5.3 l/100 km. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes place in 7.3 seconds and the top speed is limited to 170 km/h.

Nissan Ariya: The Ariya is available with one or two electric motors that produce up to 394 horsepower – as included in the Ariya Evolve+ Pack test car. Consumption is around 20 kWh/100 km. Thanks to the immediately available power, the Ariya accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds and the top speed is limited to 200 km/h.

Cost

Nissan Qashqai: The starting price for the Qashqai is 34,140 euros as an Acenta 1.3 DIG-T mild hybrid with manual transmission and 140 hp. The base price of the test car as an N-Design 1.5 VC T e-Power is 46,120 euros, with extras such as two-tone paint, comfort package and Bose sound system then 48,570 euros.

Nissan Ariya: The Ariya started at 43,490 euros, well above the Qashqai. The basic price of the test car with the name “Nissan Ariya 87 kwh e-4ORCE Evolve+ Pack” is 65,490 euros, with the two-tone paintwork it becomes an additional 1200 euros more expensive.

competition

Nissan Qashqai: The Qashqai’s main competitors include the Hyundai Tucson, VW Tiguan and the Ford Kuga.

Nissan Ariya: The Ariya competes with other electric SUVs such as the Volkswagen ID.4, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.

Conclusion

The Nissan Qashqai is ideal for buyers looking for an affordable and agile compact SUV that is suitable for both city driving and longer journeys. It offers a good balance between price and performance. Since the e-Power drive is not subsidized by taxes, it can be assumed that it is a bridge technology. Therefore, gasoline engines are the better choice here.

The Nissan Ariya, on the other hand, is aimed at buyers who want a modern electric SUV with a lot of space and innovative technology. It is the better choice for those who want to drive an electric car that impresses with a lot of comfort.