Turning over a new Leaf

Nissan is on a bit of a roll. While some manufacturers are still working on their first electric cars Nissan is rolling out the second generation Leaf, with less weight, more range and a design more closely tailored to real-world demands. The biggest input into the new car has come from existing customers, which explains why it looks so similar to the old one. Nissan says the Leaf gets the highest customer satisfaction scores of any car it makes – as much as 93% – and the people who own ageing models want to stay loyal to it. But there were some obvious things wrong with the old car. The pale interior came in for a lot of criticism and although the Japanese love their beige upholstery European versions of the Leaf II have switched to black, which includes black leather on the top spec model. The single old trim option has expanded to the triumvirate of Visia, Acenta and Tekna, making the Leaf more affordable at one end and better equipped at the other. Combined with the choice of whether to buy the entire car outright or to save £5,000 and lease the batteries, the headline price now starts from under £16,000 after the £5,000 government grant. Suddenly the Leaf seems a lot more affordable. The boot is now bigger; at 370 litres it’s just 10 litres short of those of the new Volkswagen Golf and Seat Leon, although it’s not so conveniently shaped. The curved corners and intrusive wheel arches make an irregularly shaped space. Still, a 40-litre boost thanks to repositioned technology means space for an extra suitcase. This time Nissan has given the European car its own suspension tune. The too soft, sometimes wobbly ride of the old car was a cause for complaint. The new setup is not firmer per se, but is damped with greater conviction to reduce pitch and bounce. The drivetrain is as quiet and vibration-free as you might expect and the lack of vibration vastly reduces driver fatigue behind the wheel. Driving the new Leaf is thoroughly relaxing, with thoughtfully shaped seats that support your spine well. The batteries now offer a potential 120 miles or more in ideal conditions from a full charge. A real-world 100 miles should be normal in the summer months. Part of this increase comes from a weight reduction of 32kg, chopped mainly out of two key drivetrain components. The top spec Tekna model driven here really feels like a luxurious car, with heated seats even in the back, leather upholstery, climate control, an extensive in-car systems readout and sat-nav. And yet the price is very reasonable when compared to other top spec cars. You’re getting a very advanced thing, with the capacity to recoup 80% of its full charge in 30 minutes and to cost you less than £2 for every 100 miles you drive.