All-New 2021 Nissan Qashqai / Rogue Sport Makes Spy Debut

Our spy photographers have managed to catch Nissan in the midst of testing multiple examples of the 2021 Qashqai / Rogue Sport at one of the carmaker’s secret tracks.

It’s a good thing these types of secrets don’t stay hidden for long because otherwise piecing together what to expect from car manufacturers would be a lot more difficult. So let’s start with what we can see, and then talk about what we know.

The all-new Qashqai was actually previewed two weeks ago as part of an official Nissan video which showcased everything Nissan currently has in the pipeline. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make out any distinctive styling traits, apart from its overall shape.

Visually, we’re still likely getting some type of V-motion grille design, but the rear end for example seems more dynamic thanks to the sloped roofline. The Japanese crossover also seems a tiny bit larger than the current model, but we can’t know for sure that it is just yet.

We do know to expect 2021MY-worthy levels of active safety and convenience features inside, at least by non-premium standards – which are still very good. We also know that the carmaker still plans on building this new Qashqai at its Sunderland plant in the UK, after receiving assurances from the British government regarding competitiveness.

Meanwhile, a report from February alleged that Nissan’s electrification strategy would lead to the all-new Qashqai ditching its diesel units completely, replaced by gasoline-hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.

Still, there is some work left to be done on that front.

“We’re investigating the ePower technology for Europe,” said Nissan Europe VP of product planning, Ponz Pandikuthira. “The biggest difference when you do these onboard generator vehicles is highway driving – in Japan, they typically don’t go above 50-65 mph (80-105 km/h). Here in Europe, you do 80-85 mph (129-137 km/h) on a regular basis. At those speeds, you end up depleting the battery very quickly, so the range extender has to work really hard to keep the energy going, and then it goes out of its range of efficiency.”

As for a battery-electric model, that scenario is unlikely, at least for this upcoming generation.

Nissan could unveil the 2021 Qashqai / Rogue Sport before the end of this year.