Nissan turns over a new Leaf

Nissan has introduced a more powerful, longer-range version of its electric Leaf

As far as European EV domination goes, Nissan is doing pretty well with the Leaf. Now in its second generation, the hatchback remains top dog with more than 130,000 sold since its 2010 introduction - and it’s easy to see why. The Leaf has always managed to make electric driving seem pretty normal, rather than go for the overly-futuristic edge some firms tend to take - despite it often failing to resonate with new car buyers. Nissan isn’t resting on its laurels though and has now introduced this longerrange variant: The e+.

WHAT’S NEW?

The key difference to the now-range-topping Leaf e+ comes underneath the skin. A 62kWh battery pack has been introduced. This means more power but crucially, more range too. Nissan says the e+ is capable of 239 miles between charges, an impressive leap from the regular machine’s 168mile offering. Spotting a Leaf e+ from a regular car is nigh on impossible though, as no visual changes have been made.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

The driving experience hasn’t changed dramatically with the introduction of a larger battery pack. Navigating through town is easy thanks to lightly-set steering and decent visibility. We’re also huge fans of the e-pedal technology, allowing for accelerating and braking to be controlled by a single pedal. It takes some getting used to but is fun once you have the hang of it.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?

The Leaf e+ hasn’t changed inside. Controls and screens remain the same. Everything feels solidly-built too, with a good amount of soft-touch materials deployed throughout the cabin. Five can be seated in comfort, while a 405-litre boot means it offers more space than even internal combustion rivals such as the Ford Focus (375 litres) and VW Golf (380 litres).

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?

Thee+hasahighlevelof equipment. Available only in Tekna grade, standard luxury items include automatic full

LED headlights, rain-sensing headlights, a seven-speaker

Bose audio system, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 17-inch alloys and a leather/suede combination interior upholstery. There’s also Nissan’s ProPilot safety package as standard.

THE VERDICT

With more range, more performance and a high level of equipment, the Nissan Leaf e+ only adds to the appeal of EV ownership. A more-realistic 200ish miles of range will suit the daily needs of most drivers, and the Leaf’s approach to keeping the experience as familiar as possible means it won’t alienate any newcomers to an alternatively-fuelled world.

Nissan Leaf e+ Tekna

Price as tested: £36,820 Powertrain: 62kWh electric motor

Power (bhp): 214

Torque (Nm): 340

Max speed (mph): 98 0-60mph: 6.7 seconds Range: 239 miles