2021 Nissan Qashqai spy photos
Nissan's popular SUV has been captured testing in Europe ahead of its expected release later this year.
The 2021 Nissan Qashqai has been caught performing hot-weather testing this week.
The heavily camouflaged SUV was captured in southern Spain as the model undergoes final preparations ahead of its launch, expected at the end of 2020.
It's thought Nissan's new Qashqai will again share its 'CMF' underpinnings with the Renault Kadjar, also due for replacement within the next two years. A version of that architecture also underpins the new X-Trail, and will likely hide under future Mitsubishi SUVs – the new Outlander in particular.
Overseas, the new Qashqai will likely be offered with a range of powertrains including a standard petrol engine, a 48-volt mild hybrid option, and a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Nissan boss Ashwani Gupta told European website Automotive News recently of the car company's plans to pursue electric electric powertrains as it revamps its model range.
However, given Nissan is already offering engines of those nature overseas, we could see carryover options featured in Australian models. Right now, that means just one engine: a non-turbo 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder engine producing 106kW and 200Nm.
Despite being one of Nissan's most popular models, sales of the ageing Qashqai have begun slipping.
In 2019 the Qashqai accounted for 10 per cent of all small SUVs sold in Australia under $40,000, but in July its market share had slipped to 7 per cent.
MORE: Qashqai news and reviews
MORE: Everything Nissan