2024 Nissan Qashqai v Honda ZR-V: Hybrid spec battle

SUVs are as standard as ever amongst Australian new automobile consumers, however you don’t must comply with the pack to discover a high quality possibility.

Two such rivals are Honda and Nissan, who each supply small SUVs for the same worth. Notably, they every have very intently matched hybrid choices.

We’ve picked out hybrid variations of the Nissan Qashqai and Honda ZR-V to see how related they are surely on the spec sheet.

Neither was a prime vendor in its phase final 12 months; 6614 examples of the Qashqai had been bought in Australia, in comparison with 2282 of the ZR-V gross sales.

These vehicles don’t share a phase on the VFACTS gross sales charts. The Qashqai is bodily barely bigger than the ZR-V, and has a decrease beginning worth – however the pair is intently aligned on worth and options.

What’s actually separating them?

Pricing

These are the costliest variations of Qashqai and ZR-V cash can purchase. They’re additionally the one hybrid fashions supplied of their respective lineups.

At first look you’d be forgiven for considering the Qashqai was cheaper than the ZR-V, however whenever you consider on-road prices you’ll discover they’re truly fairly evenly matched. We are able to’t present a precise determine because it varies in every state.

The Honda is marketed with a drive-away worth, which implies what you see on the tag is what you may count on to pay.

For context, each vehicles are roughly $15,000 dearer than their respective petrol-only range-openers.

Drivetrains and effectivity

These vehicles take basically completely different approaches to succeed in a really related gas consumption declare.

The Qashqai’s e-Energy system is exclusive. As a substitute of instantly driving the wheels by means of a standard transmission or CVT, the petrol engine is connected to a motor-generator and an inverter.

That unit is used to cost the lithium-ion battery pack, which in flip feeds the drive motors. Consider it as being someplace between a spread extender and a conventional hybrid unit.

The closest the engine involves powering the wheels is below excessive load, when it feeds vitality the electrical motors (by way of the connected generator and inverter) instantly, slightly than simply supplying vitality to the battery.

Though the revs will rise and fall, the tip result’s a automobile that feels extra like an EV to drive than a petroleum automobile with an electrical motor connected.

The Honda hybrid system is extra typical, mating two electrical motors with a petroleum engine and an e-CVT transmission.

Dimensions

Bodily measurements are the place we see among the extra vital variations between the Qashqai and ZR-V.

The Honda is barely longer than the Nissan, however the Qashqai is almost 200mm wider.

They’re nearly the identical peak and experience on near-identical wheelbases, however the ZR-V has much less room to supply within the boot. With the rear seats folded, it’s greater than 200L smaller than the identical configuration within the Qashqai.

Its kerb weight can be round 150kg lighter, however their Gross Car Mass figures are inside 25kg of one another.

Servicing and guarantee

The Nissan Qashqai and the Honda ZR-V are each backed by five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranties.

Servicing is required each 12 months or 10,000km on each hybrid fashions, whichever comes first.

Service pricing is the most important distinction between the 2, as Honda affords 5 “Low Worth Providers” with each new automobile. Meaning the primary 5 providers for the ZR-V will value $199 every.

Nissan does supply capped-price servicing for the primary six hybrid Qashqai providers, although we’ve solely damaged down the primary 5 for the sake of this comparability. The sixth will value $619.

Security

The Nissan Qashqai has a five-star ANCAP score, primarily based on testing performed in 2021.

The Honda ZR-V, in the meantime, has but to be examined by ANCAP, although hybrid fashions acquired a four-star score from sister authority Euro NCAP in 2023.

Right here’s a breakdown of ordinary security tools on every automobile:

Each vehicles even have an AEB system that features junction help, pedestrian detection, bicycle owner detection, and a reverse operate. Honda combines these capabilities inside its Collision Mitigation Braking System.

Right here’s a breakdown of every automobile’s security scoring:

Normal options

These vehicles are intently matched on normal options. Take a look beneath to see how they stack up towards one another.

There’s not loads to separate the 2 on exterior options, although there are a couple of slight variations. Notably, the ZR-V doesn’t supply auto-levelling headlights or fog lights, in contrast to the Qashqai. Each function high-beam help.

With the Honda you do achieve windscreen washer nozzles which were built-in into the wiper arm, together with a walk-away closing operate on the powered tailgate.

The Qashqai in the meantime affords power-folding facet mirrors with built-in LED indicators, in addition to a panoramic glass sunroof.

As soon as once more there are a couple of variations on the within. Over the Qashqai the ZR-V boasts heated rear seats, and steel paddle shifters.

The entrance seats within the Qashqai are heated and eight-way power-adjustable, and supply three therapeutic massage modes. The ZR-V, in the meantime, doesn’t supply massages, and the passenger should make do with solely four-way adjustment.

When it comes to design the Qashqai encompasses a black headliner, whereas the ZR-V affords alloy sports activities pedals. Each have some type of ambient lighting.

Each vehicles even have rear air vents, auto-dimming mirrors, and heated leather-wrapped steering wheels, amongst different options.

Together with providing smaller screens, the ZR-V misses out on a head-up show. You do get a 12-speaker Bose-branded sound system in comparison with the 10-speaker association within the Qashqai.

Each have USB ports for charging and telephone connectivity, in addition to clever key methods for driver preferences.

You get wi-fi Apple CarPlay and a wi-fi telephone charger with each, in addition to built-in satellite tv for pc navigation.

All that makes it a tricky name between these two Japanese hybrids. Which might be your choose?

BUY: Get in contact with a vendor a couple of Nissan Qashqai
MORE: The whole lot Nissan Qashqai

BUY: Get in contact with a vendor a couple of Honda ZR-V
MORE: The whole lot Honda ZR-V