Nissan Leaf
Mk2 Leaf aims to take the electric car into the mainstream
THE second-generation Nissan Leaf is aiming to bring electric motoring to the mainstream. And with the Tekna trim’s claimed range of up to 217 miles on a full charge, it can suit more lifestyles than ever. The Leaf range starts from £21,990 including the Government’s £4,500 Plug-in Car Grant, but here we test the top-spec Tekna model, which costs £27,490.
Design & engineering
AS the original Leaf was an electric pioneer, it’s no surprise that Nissan has developed its chassis and running gear for the Mk2 version, rather than opt for a clean-sheet design. As a result, the new car has a conventional suspension layout, with Macpherson struts up front and a torsion-beam axle at the rear.
The big changes lie within the electric drive system. There’s a new electric motor that produces 148bhp and 320Nm of torque, while the 40kwh lithium-ion battery pack has improved energy density so it can store 67 per cent more power, even though the pack is the same size as the old model’s. This is mounted low in the Leaf’s platform under the passenger compartment, with the electric motor and single-speed gearbox up front.
The charging ports are under a rather awkwardlooking flap that spoils the lines of the Leaf’s lowslung nose, but at least the styling is now more mainstream, while also bringing aero benefits.
While the entry-level Leaf Visia is pretty basic to get the list price down, standard kit on the top-spec Tekna is extensive. The only options are paint (£250-£1,095), a spare wheel (£170) and park assist (£400). To get the Golf up to the same spec, you’d have to shell out at least £4k on extras.
Driving
THE Leaf delivers the kind of instant acceleration for which EVS are famous. Nissan quotes a 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds for the Leaf, which is a second behind the i3s, but ahead of the less powerful Golf and ZOE, and the car feels sprightly enough away from the lights.
Maximum torque of 320Nm means the Nissan has plenty of mid-range power, but as with any EV, its range will plummet if you’re too eager with the accelerator. We’d recommend using the e-pedal system instead. This adds resistance to the throttle and lets you drive using one pedal most of the time.
It’s a smooth system, and helps recoup energy to the battery without having to apply the brakes. The e-pedal works all the way to a halt, so you soon try to drive for as long as possible without touching the brakes. It’s a great way to learn how to be a smoother, more efficient driver, and once you get into a rhythm, you’ll only ever hit the brakes in an emergency.
The rest of the Leaf driving experience is relaxing rather than exciting. A low drag coefficient means there’s not much wind noise, while road noise is well suppressed, even at higher speeds. Mounting the battery low down makes the Leaf stable in corners, while a suite of electronics from the Qashqai helps it handle tidily. The Leaf Tekna gets Nissan’s latest Pro Pilot autonomous tech , which steers, accelerates and brakes the car on clearly marked roads.
Practicality
THERE’S decent space in the Leaf, but the back seats are mounted a little high, due to the battery pack underneath them, so headroom isn’t quite as good as it is up front.
However, the position of the battery does mean the Leaf has the biggest boot here, with a generous 435 litres, so there’s plenty of space for luggage and charging leads. The cabin feels plasticky compared with the e-golf’s, but at least it should wear well.
Ownership
BATTERY range is still the biggest obstacle to EV ownership for most people. But the Leaf’s claimed range of up to 217 miles means it’ll suit more people than ever.
That quoted range is around 40 miles more than the BMW i3s claims when measured on the same metric, and you could easily cover 150 miles in regular driving – even at motorway speeds – without worrying about the battery going flat.
Of course, the other issue is the ability to charge an EV. Experts predict that owners will usually charge their vehicles at home, so you’ll need access to a charging point, preferably off-street.
The Government currently offers a discount of up to £500 when you install a home charging point, and this will allow you to charge the Leaf in less than seven hours, which means you’ll easily have a full charge if you plug the Nissan in overnight.
Running costs
AS we went to press, Nissan had announced some attractive PCP finance deals on its Leaf. With a £3,500 deposit (plus £1,000 from Nissan) over a three-year contract limited to 10,000 miles per year, you’ll pay £435 per month on the Tekna (£368 on an entry-level Acenta).
Put this down on the e-golf (VW will add £1,000) and on the same terms you’ll pay £460 per month, while the pricier i3s will cost you £519 per month based on the same terms (£459 for a standard i3).
Go for the Zoe on PCP and it’s £230 per month thanks to a £4,426 dealer contribution, but you’ll have to add a minimum £59-per-month battery lease to that sum.