This is the car for you if…you’re looking for an established electric car that delivers a smooth driving experience and value for money.
The Nissan Leaf shook up the motoring world when it launched in 2010. Not because it looked wildly futuristic. Nor because it promised to overhaul how we drive. But because it looked, well, so normal. In fact, just like any other petrol, diesel or hybrid car on the road.
It was a pivotal moment for a lot of people who’d been hesitant about electric cars until this point. And the Nissan Leaf continues to convert fans by offering a familiar and reliable driving experience.
Now in its second generation, the revamped Nissan Leaf launched in 2018. It comes with a bigger 39kWh battery, which means you can travel further on a single charge (the WLTP range is 168 miles). There’s a more powerful motor on board: the Leaf now zips from 0-62mph in a speedier 7.9 seconds. Plus, an extra 65 litres of boot capacity. So there’s even more space to stash your shopping, the kids’ scooters or holiday luggage.
The exterior of the Nissan Leaf is comfortably familiar – with only a few minor changes to the previous version. So there’s the same sloping bonnet seen on the first-generation Leaf. But now the headlights have been seamlessly integrated into the front of the car. And there are sharper contours along the underbody that give the Leaf a more contemporary feel. The N-Connecta trim also comes with more solid 17-inch alloy wheels.
But these modifications aren’t just to make this mid-size hatchback appeal to a wider audience. It’s about making the drive behind the wheel as smooth as possible. Even though this car can nimbly accelerate when you put your foot down, driving the Nissan Leaf is a relaxing and fuss-free experience above all.
There’s none of the stress of changing gears when you drive electric. But Nissan has gone one step further with its e-Pedal – available across all trim levels. This regenerative braking system helps to stretch out your battery range. But on a subtler level, it changes how you drive.
Because instead of jumping straight onto the brake pedal to halt your speed, you reduce pressure on the accelerator pedal to slow down. So it shifts your mindset about braking. And makes the Nissan Leaf a more steady and graceful drive.
Inside the Nissan Leaf N-Connecta, comfort is the number one priority. There are heated seats and a heated steering wheel. The seats feature a more luxurious trim. And the Leaf is roomy enough for five adults. Plus, there’s privacy glass in the N-Connecta to give it an exclusive feel inside.
The 8-inch touchscreen stands proud in the centre of the Leaf’s dashboard. This is your window into NissanConnect services. Use the NissanConnect app to send directions to your car. Or to charge your vehicle remotely. There’s also integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. So you can listen to your messages while on your travels. Or put your favourite album on shuffle.
As you’d expect from a brand that’s known for its reliability, Nissan’s loaded up the Leaf with a range of safety features as standard. So the car can detect when a collision is imminent and apply the brakes automatically. Alert you if it detects there’s something in the way when you switch to reverse. And the N-Connecta trim also comes with front and rear sensors to take the hassle out of parking.
It’s just another of the ways in which the Nissan Leaf has been designed to make your journey as convenient and comfortable as possible.
Our three favourite features:
- The intelligent around view monitor in the N-Connecta trim is a handy extra safety feature. It warns you when it detects a moving object near your car that you might otherwise miss.
- The e-Pedal gives you single-pedal control for speeding up, slowing down and braking. It’s simple to use – and makes nipping in and out of traffic a breeze.
- The Leaf’s new, bigger boot is a bonus for anyone who can’t pack light… And those occasions when you pop into the supermarket for a pint of milk, only to emerge an hour later with several full bags of shopping.
You’ll like the Nissan Leaf N-Connecta if you… want a surprisingly zippy electric ride in familiar hatchback form.
