2nd Nissan Leaf
Second place for Nissan is no failure, it just shows how quickly the EV market is moving
THE second-generation Leaf is a heavily updated version of the original when it comes to the architecture on which it’s based. The big changes come courtesy of a bigger 40kWh battery (of which around 36kWh is usable) supplying a more powerful 148bhp electric motor.
Unlike the MG though, the Leaf ’s battery doesn’t feature more advanced liquid cooling to regulate the cells’ temperature in use and when charging. Bear in mind that over a long period of time this could potentially affect the battery’s performance.
As it stands, the Leaf ’s performance is sound, taking 7.8 seconds to accelerate from 0-60mph – much faster than an equivalent combustionengined car would take. Like the MG, it’s so easy to do as well. With a single-speed transmission there are no changes, so acceleration is smooth.
Also like the MG, the Leaf isn’t the greatest to drive. The connection between driver and steering is vague, compounded by the fact the steering wheel doesn’t offer a wide enough range of adjustment; there’s only the option to change rake, not reach.
Neither are the body control or ride anything to write home about. The Leaf has less variance between its best and worst, smothering harsh bumps much more adeptly than the occasionally crashy MG, but it doesn’t feel quite as soft and forgiving as the ZS at its best. However, the Leaf is much more consistent and composed, partly because its ride height is lower, so it doesn’t roll around as much.
The motor is smoother and its response is silkier, so it’s easier to get the measure of, even if the Leaf ’s performance lagged behind the ZS’s in our tests. Along with the 0-60mph assessment, the Nissan trailed the MG by 0.1 and 0. 2 seconds between 30-50mph and 50-70mph, at 2.8 and 4.6 seconds.
This is barely noticeable on the road though. However, the ZS’s liquid cooling means the MG’s performance and recharging rate should be more consistent than the Nissan’s, while the battery itself should have a longer life.
Like the MG, quality is average at best, with the Leaf ’s cabin clothed in hard plastics, while there’s plenty of equipment included even in base Acenta spec. You get a much more versatile seven-inch screen next to the speedo, which shows more EV-specific info than the MG’s small screen. The Nissan’s infotainment shows charging stations, too, whereas the MG shows petrol stations – it’s obvious it’s been carried over from the standard ZS.
The Leaf also comes with great safety tech, a rear-view camera, 16-inch alloys, adaptive cruise, climate control and auto headlights.
DRIVING
Calibration is a big part of any EV, and the Leaf feels just a little smoother, while the electric motor seems better integrated into the package. Nissan’s experience with building EVs is definitely on show here.
e-PEDAL Regenerative braking isn’t as tuneable as in the MG. Nissan’s e-Pedal is either on or off, but regen is strong enough to bring the car to a stop. It’s well calibrated, and the brakes respond better than in the MG.
RUNNING COSTS
You won’t have to pay any road tax (VED) because these EVs come in for the zero rate. Allied to their superbly cheap energy costs, then this pairing is difficult to fault if you’re after affordable EV motoring.
BiK EVs pay 16 per cent company car tax, so lowerrate earners will pay £974 and £1,006 a year to run the ZS EV and Leaf respectively. This drops to nothing for the next tax year, before rising one percentage point per year.
PRACTICALITY
Leaf is more limited for space. Head and legroom are tighter in the rear. The MG’s panoramic roof also means the cabin feels lighter; the Nissan’s small rear windows and lower roofline don’t help in this respect.
CHARGING Leaf uses a 50kW CHAdeMO rapid charge feed that takes one hour for an 80 per cent top-up. Despite its bigger battery, MG claims 40 minutes for the same 80 per cent recharge using a CCS 50kW DC rapid charge. Acenta trim features a 3.6kW on-board charger, which means 13 hours for a full recharge. The MG’s 7kW on-board charger means a recharge time of 6.5 hours using an AC Type 2 plug.
INTERIOR & TECHNOLOGY
THE Leaf is flawed ergonomically. You sit too high and the steering wheel doesn’t adjust for reach. The driving position isn’t as nice or as adjustable as in the ZS EV.
INFOTAINMENT The Leaf’s multimedia tech isn’t all that sophisticated, either. The eight-inch screen’s graphics are lower-res, and nav isn’t included, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are, so you can connect your phone for directions.
OWNERSHIP
As standard the Leaf gets emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, lane-departure and blindspot warning, cross-traffic alert and lane-keep assist. The car scored five Euro NCAP stars. ProPilot You can add ProPilot (£595) for semi-autonomous cruise control to keep you in your lane on the motorway. It’s not very smooth, but is a nice convenience feature.