Nissan’s small-car shake-up: 2026 Qashqai leans into long-range hybrid, Micra EV whispers for Australia

Two headlines, one theme: Nissan is turning the wick up on electrified small cars. According to fresh reporting from CarExpert, the next Qashqai is set to “go all in” on long-range hybrid tech from 2026, while a revived Micra could slip back into Australia as a pure EV. I’ve been living with Nissan’s current e-Power gear on and off for the last year, and the trajectory makes sense—make hybrids feel more EV-like, and make EVs easier to live with.

2026 Nissan Qashqai: long-range hybrid gets serious

“Long-range hybrid” can mean a couple of things in carmaker speak. Either a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with genuinely useful EV-only distance, or an evolved series-hybrid (like Nissan’s e-Power) with a larger battery and smarter energy management so you drive electric most of the time while a small engine plays discreet generator in the background.

Today’s Qashqai e-Power (as sold in Europe) is already a neat trick. The wheels are driven only by an electric motor, and a 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder acts as a power plant. It delivers smooth, EV-like creep in traffic and that instant electric shove off the line—without needing a charger at home. When I drove one on coarse-chip country roads, the calm power delivery stood out more than the outright pace. It’s the silence you notice.

The 2026 car, per the report, sounds like a deeper commitment to that EV-first feel. I’d expect:

• More electric-only operation in town, with the engine staying asleep longer
• Stronger regenerative braking and smarter one-pedal tuning (helpful in stop-start commutes)
• A battery with more usable capacity, potentially edging into PHEV territory
• Refined engine isolation—less drone when the generator wakes up on highways

Competitively, Toyota’s latest PHEVs (RAV4, Prius) have lifted expectations for real-world EV range, and Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV remains the “pack light, go far” family favourite. If Nissan gives the Qashqai truly meaningful EV-only distance—think school runs and grocery trips without touching fuel—it will land right where buyers are headed.

On-road impressions to watch for

I’ll be listening for how the next Qashqai blends regen and friction braking (Nissan’s tuning has improved, but a sudden handover can still surprise on rough surfaces) and whether the infotainment finally banishes the occasional map stutter I’ve seen on current cars. Cabin noise at a steady 110 km/h is another tell; the best hybrids make the engine’s cameo feel incidental.

Could the Nissan Micra return to Australia as an EV?

CarExpert also suggests a very different kind of comeback: Micra, reborn as a small electric hatch for Australia. The last Micra left our market years ago, but the idea of a compact EV city car feels timely—especially if Nissan leans on the same small-EV playbook we’re seeing out of Europe.

There’s been industry chatter that the next Micra EV could share bones with the Renault 5 on the CMF-BEV platform. If that holds, you’re looking at a tidy footprint, a cabin that’s bigger than you expect, and a battery sized for urban life rather than transcontinental road trips. Think: silent dawn commutes, curbside charging at the café, and the odd weekend escape with an overnight top-up.

What would make it work here?

• Pricing that undercuts or matches entry EVs like MG 4 and BYD Dolphin
• AC charging speed that fits apartment living (11 kW onboard would be ideal)
• Highway ride that doesn’t get choppy on Australia’s coarse surfaces
• Driver-assist that’s helpful but not intrusive in tight city lanes

When I chatted with a few EV-curious city-dwelling friends, their wish list was simple: an honest 250–350 km of real-world range, a boot that swallows a weekly shop plus a pram, and a charging port that doesn’t play Twister with short kerb cables. If Micra can nail the basics without going premium-price precious, it could be the right car at the right time.

How they might stack up

Small but telling details I’ll be checking

• Qashqai: engine engagement smoothness on long inclines, and whether cabin materials feel like a proper mid-cycle spruce-up rather than a trim shuffle
• Qashqai: lane centering that doesn’t ping-pong on country highways (the current system is good, but wind gusts can expose its limits)
• Micra EV: rear-seat toe room and headroom—adult-friendly or strictly “mates only” for short hops?
• Micra EV: charging cable storage that doesn’t steal half the boot
• Both: native nav that can route via chargers without an app workaround

Context: what we know today

Concrete specs for the 2026 Qashqai and any Australian-bound Micra EV aren’t public yet. For reference, the current Qashqai e-Power in Europe uses an electric drive motor with engine-as-generator, delivering brisk around-town performance and notably low urban consumption—part of why it’s become a sleeper hit with city families. If Nissan stretches that EV feel further (and gives us a plug), the use case broadens.

As for the Micra, the brand has history here. It was a cheerful, honest city car—easy to park, cheap to run. Wrap that spirit around a modern EV package and Nissan could fill the gap between minimalist kei-car vibes and the bigger, pricier crossovers everyone seems to be buying.

Bottom line

Nissan’s small-car strategy looks like a forked road to the same destination: make everyday driving feel electric. One path is a long-range hybrid Qashqai that shrinks your fuel stops; the other is a Micra EV that shrinks your running costs. If both land with the right pricing and polish, a lot of Australian driveways might start looking a little more… plugged in.

FAQ

• When will the 2026 Nissan Qashqai arrive?
  Nissan hasn’t given an exact date, but reporting points to 2026. Expect more detail closer to launch.
• Is the new Qashqai a plug-in hybrid?
  Not confirmed. “Long-range hybrid” suggests a bigger EV-first focus; that could be an evolved e-hybrid or a full PHEV. We’ll know once Nissan details the powertrain.
• How far will the 2026 Qashqai go on electric power?
  No official figure yet. The aim appears to be significantly more EV-only driving in day-to-day use; exact range will depend on the final battery and setup.
• Is the Micra EV coming to Australia?
  It’s under consideration, per current reporting. Market fit, pricing, and supply will decide it.
• What might the Micra EV compete with on price and size?
  Think compact EVs like the BYD Dolphin, MG 4, and GWM Ora. Final positioning will hinge on battery size, features, and local specs.