Tesla Model Y vs Nissan Qashqai
What's the difference?

Tesla Model Y

$58,900 - $89,400

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Nissan Qashqai

$34,665 - $54,365

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Renault Megane E-Tech

Renault Scenic E-Tech

Summary

2026 Tesla Model Y

2026 Nissan Qashqai

By Andrew Chesterton

By Byron Mathioudakis

Safety Rating

Electric motor type

Permanent Magnet

Turbo 3, 1.5L

Vehicle type

Battery Electric

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Electric range

681 km

4.1L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

14.6 kWh/100km

Battery capacity

82.00 kWh

Seating

Likes

Seriously practical
A seating layout that makes perfect sense
Long-distance driving range

Attractive design inside and out
Strong yet frugal hybrid performance
Athletic, confident dynamics

Dislikes

Ride might be too firm for some
Compromised vision from driver's seat
Lack of Apple CarPlay a turn-off

Requires 95 RON premium unleaded
No spare wheel in Ti-L e-Power
Getting up there in price

2026 Tesla Model Y Summary

This is the new Tesla Model Y L, of course, but before we even start I need to ask you a very important question.

How often, honestly, do you use all seven seats in your seven-seater? Or if you only have five seats, how often is there a human in every single one?

Rarely, if ever?

Yep, me too. So stick around, because this is, by far, the best family SUV seating layout. And one where there’ll finally be no fighting over who gets stuck with the dodgy seat.

And as a result, the six-seat Tesla Model Y L might just be among the best all-electric SUV offerings around.

View full pricing & specs

2026 Nissan Qashqai Summary

If you think you know Nissan and haven’t driven one of its impressive e-Power models, you might be in for a surprise.

Be it the latest-generation X-Trail from Japan or the related smaller Qashqai out of the UK, this plugless petrol-electric hybrid powertrain is one of the best crossovers at any price point.

Now, barely a year after the facelift appeared in Australia, the Qashqai scores another round of changes.

We take a close look at the up-spec Ti-L to see if they make one of the best small SUVs even better (or worse).

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Tesla Model Y 2026 Nissan Qashqai

Verdict

If you like the five-seat Model Y, then you'll like the six-seat L version even more. I think this the best example of Tesla's electric SUV to date, and the cabin layout just makes a lot of sense, and would suit plenty of families who don't need to squeeze someone into a compromised middle seat.

Note: The author, Andrew Chesterton, is a co-owner of Smart As Media, a content agency and media distribution service with a number of automotive brands among its clients. When producing content for CarsGuide, he does so in accordance with the CarsGuide Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics, and the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.

Verdict

Now e-Power-only, the 2026 Qashqai Ti-L range walks a fine line between mainstream value-for-money and premium European class, providing an attractive, enjoyable and comfortable small SUV experience that also doubles up as a capable and practical family car.

We’d probably ditch this grade for either the Ti below and save a bit of money in the process, or stretch a little more for the flagship N-Design, as both provide the peace of mind of a spare wheel.

Otherwise, for its economy, agility, luxury and smarts, the latest Qashqai Ti-L e-Power is a wildly underrated Nissan that deserves more love.

Tesla Model Y vs Nissan Qashqai What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Tesla Model Y vs Nissan Qashqai
What's the difference?