8 ways the Nissan LEAF e+ is changing the game for electric cars
WITH MORE RANGE, MORE POWER AND MORE ADVANCED FEATURES, THERE ARE EVEN MORE REASONS TO PICK NISSAN’S 100% ELECTRIC FAMILY-FRIENDLY HATCHBACK IN 2020
1 Up to 239 miles of electric range A high-performance battery that boasts 55% more capacity means the 62kwh battery in the Nissan LEAF e+ delivers a range of up to 239 miles (WLTP combined)(1). That’s enough to get you from London to Leeds, or to cover a week and a half of commuting(2). 5 It’s fast to recharge The Nissan LEAF e+ recharges from 20% to 80% in around 90 minutes with a rapid 50kw CHADEMO public charger – the perfect fit for an afternoon of shopping or a trip to the cinema. At home, it takes 11h30min to recharge from 0% to 100% on a 7kw wallbox – ideal for those who have low-cost overnight recharging. 2 It lends a helping hand Advanced Nissan PROPILOT(3) driving aids help with braking, steering and accelerating to help keep you safe, on-track and in control when it really counts. Equally, Intelligent Around View Monitor and automated PROPILOT Park take the stress out of parking. 6 It makes financial sense While a lot of new electric cars have a premium price tag, the Nissan LEAF range starts at £26,345 (MRRP), including the special-edition N-TEC range, available from £32,795 (MRRP). Low-cost overnight charging keeps day-to-day running costs low, while new 0% BIK tax rules introduced in April 2020 make the LEAF great for company car drivers(5). 3 More power; more confidence The Nissan LEAF e+ has 217PS with 340Nm of instantly available electric torque for confident acceleration. With a 0-62mph time 13% quicker than previous LEAF models, it’s now even simpler and safer to pass slow vehicles and offers a more enjoyable ride. 7 It re-energises your commute e-pedal makes tackling traffic easier by letting you start, accelerate, decelerate and stop using only the accelerator pedal. e-pedal also regenerates energy back into the Nissan LEAF’S battery. 4 It’s a smartphone on wheels The new Nissanconnect Services(4) app syncs navigation from your smartphone to your Nissan LEAF (and vice versa), with true Door-to-door Navigation. You can also remotely pre-heat or pre-cool your LEAF while it’s recharging, so it’s the appropriate temperature for your trip without losing any range. 8 You’re part of a growing family Since its launch in 2010, over 450,000 drivers around the world have chosen the Nissan LEAF, making it the first all-electric car to hit this benchmark. The Nissan LEAF has also been sold over 33,000 times in the UK. So, why not join the gang?
as well, plus a reversing camera. Meanwhile, the Mini is the only one with heated front seats, but also the only one without an autodimming rear-view mirror and power-folding door mirrors.
The 208 is predicted to depreciate the fastest, with the A1 holding onto its value the best. That largely explains why, if you’re planning to buy with cash, the A1 will cost you the least to own over a three-year period. The fact that the Mini costs the most to begin with, and is by far the thirstiest in real-world driving, makes it the priciest choice in the long term.
If, on the other hand, you’re planning to sign up to a PCP finance deal, the 208 will cost you the least in monthly repayments. Put down a £2500 deposit on a three-year deal and you’ll pay £294 per month, compared with £304 for the A1 and £335 for the Mini. The 208 is also the cheapest to run as a company car, whereas the Mini will cost you the most.
When it comes to safety, the Mini is the weakest performer. Euro NCAP didn’t rate it all that highly even when it was introduced way back in 2014, and the testing standards have got a lot more stringent since then. The fact that you don’t even get automatic emergency braking (AEB) as standard (it’s an £800 option) is a serious shortcoming.
The 208 didn’t fare brilliantly in its safety appraisal late last year, either, although it does come with AEB and lane-keeping assistance. The A1 gets a similarly sophisticated AEB system that can recognise pedestrians and cyclists as well as cars, but it makes do with lane departure warning (which alerts you if you stray out of your lane, rather than actively steering you back into it). It scored higher marks than the 208 for keeping adult occupants safe in an accident, while the 208 was found to be fractionally better at protecting child occupants.
The A1 and 208 were too new to appear in the 2019 What Car? Reliability Survey. However, Peugeot finished slightly higher up the manufacturer league table than Audi. Mini, as a brand, fared better than both, even if its hatchback came only mid-table in the small car class.