The Qashqai is 100% driven by an electric motor, just like any other EV , the ice is not connected to the drive , only to the battery, and is ,simply, an alternative method of charging the battery!
It was/is the UK’s best selling car for good reasons – overall it is a safe reliable family car, with the added bonus of the superb new ePower technology, but it will not suit everyone, clearly?.
If people are going to compare the Qashqai ic engine noise with an ev motor, then they will be disappointed ,but if they compare the ic engine noise with that of say ‘a diesel engine ‘ then they will not be disappointed – I had 55 months with a 2ltr diesel Tiguan (really excellent & fully loaded) and before that I had 5 x D5 xc Volvos , and I am certainly not disappointed with the engine noise level in the Qashqai!
The noise level (problem ) that some people are reporting is probably because the car is so quiet otherwise , that they are getting caught off guard when the engine cuts in- it is also worth remembering that the Qashqai ice is not running all the time like a 100% ice car, it only cuts in when the battery needs a charge!
My friend Doug is on his second Toyota hybrid, complete with i c e noises , and he has to put up with gear-changes as well, but accepts it without complaint – and I pick him up twice a week in my ePower and he consistently sings the praises of the Qashqai.
The mileage recorded is now just over 7400 and the average mpg is showing as 52.1 , with a high of 99.1 mpg ( which to me ,is perfect) .
I note that full EV drivers have wildly varying results with regard to range Etc. depending on the type of journey Etc., so there will always be differences driver to driver, but no range anxiety with the QQ.
I drive it in B & eco locally, with the occasional slip into sport, and D standard or sport on the Motorway – but I am not obsessing over MPG, I’ll get what I get .
The heater is super efficient, and heats up very quickly, and pumps out a lot of heat, set at 17* !
I have to admit that it is probably a little more of a comfortable ride overall than the Tiguan I had previously for 5 years, and a lot less jumpy over sleeping policemen, and frankly ( I know it’s a waste of fuel but it’s good fun ) so far, in sport mode, it leaves everything standing at traffic lights etc.- and it does it smoothly & quietly with absolutely no fuss!
Parking is simple with the all around cameras and guidelines on the 12 in screen, so I don’t need auto parking which I had but hardly used on the Tiguan.
The wide opening rear doors are fabulous, especially for older folk to get in & out.