NISSAN LEAF HATCHBACK 110kW N-Connecta 39kWh 5dr Auto

Nissan's LEAF has rejuvenated its all-electric proposition in second generation guise and for the latest model year, gets some useful improvements. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Ten Second Review

The Nissan LEAF has always been a car that divides opinion. Some love this fully electric vehicle for its bold engineering and surprisingly enjoyable driving dynamics, but to date, many other green-minded potential buyers have struggled to make a case for it. But things are changing. For the latest model year, the brand has introduced a slightly smarter look. Plus value has been prioritised across the line-up.

Background

You're probably already aware of this - but it bears repeating: the Nissan LEAF is the world's best selling electric vehicle. You might think that would equate to sales in their tens of millions. Actually, the truth is that following its launch back in 2010 and throughout a production life that lasted nearly eight years, the first generation version of this battery-powered Nissan shifted 283,000 units. Worldwide. So we really aren't talking massive numbers here. That says less about the LEAF - a design we've always thoroughly respected - and more about the slow global take-up of battery-powered cars, which continues to lag behind industry predictions. Mostly, that's been because of the restrictions that fully battery-powered vehicles put on driving range, though that's something that's changing as automotive electric technology changes. It's certainly developed enough to make this second generation LEAF well worth another look if you couldn't quite justify the purchase of its predecessor. Particularly in this latest form.

Driving Experience

Nissan wants to tell us about the more appealing 'Canto' sound the latest version of this model makes. But here we're going to start by dealing quickly with the first thing you'll want to know about: driving range. We remember vividly setting off in the first generation LEAF model back in 2010 and struggling to get much more than 60-70 miles out of it between charges. With this second generation design, Nissan claims a homologated WLTP driving range of 168 miles from the standard 39kWh model - or 239 miles (WLTP) from the alternative 'e+' version with its 59kWh battery. Even if you think in terms of a 'real world' driving range being about two-thirds of those total figures (which is our experience anyway), you can't deny that these readings represent an impressive improvement, representing a 50% increase over the final version of the original generation model. The 40kWh lithium-ion battery that virtually all LEAF models still use produces 110kW (which equates to 148bhp) and 320Nm of torque - making the LEAF feel quite fast from a standing start: Nissan say that the 0-62mph time is about 9.8s. In the past with LEAF models, the amount of retardation you got when lifting off the throttle meant that the brake pedal was something you rarely needed to use. With this second generation model, you'll hardly need it at all thanks to 'e-Pedal' technology that can bring the car to a complete stop when you come off the accelerator. The key news here though is that the larger 62kWh battery 'e+' version of this car has now been priced much more accessibly - and this uprated model's longer 239 mile driving range could be key in convincing potential buyers who might otherwise be swayed by longer-running EV rivals in this segment.

Design and Build

Not too much has changed visually with this refreshed LEAF: redesigned 16 and 17-inch alloy wheels, a refreshed palette of colours and a revised Nissan brand badge - that's about it. Otherwise, it's all as you were. There are two routes to styling an all-electric car. Either you make it look exactly like a conventionally-engined model, as with, say, the Hyundai Kona Electric and the Kia Niro EV. Or you go for something overtly futuristic, as Nissan did with the first generation LEAF model. That approach continued on with this second generation design, which gets a sleek body featuring a flat floor, a sharp nose and an aggressively tapered rear end. There are though, familiar cues from more ordinary Nissan models - things like the company's signature 'V-motion' front grille, the 'boomerang'-style lights and the kicked-up rear shoulder line for example. The MK2 model shape is certainly slippery; Nissan says it has a drag coefficient of 0.27Cd. And the whole structure's stiff too, torsional rigidity having improved by 15% over the previous generation design. Importantly, interior practicality is much like any combustion-engined family hatch, notably in terms of boot space, which is rated at 435-litres. The designers have also tried to give the cabin quite a premium feel, with smart trim materials and a smart look for the 7-inch centre-dash infotainment touchscreen. To remind you of this car's eco-friendly remit, there's vibrant blue stitching on the seats, the dashboard and the steering wheel. Two adults can fit comfortably across the back seat - and three could fit at a push. Out back, there's a 436-litre boot.

Market and Model

Most LEAF models feature the 39kW battery and those are priced quite affordably in the £29,000 to £32,000 bracket. There are 'Acenta', 'N-Connecta' and 'Tekna' trim levels. The longer range 59kWh battery 'e+' models now start more accessibly than used to be the case, priced from around £35,000 and available in 'N-Connecta' and 'Tekna' trims, with pricing up to around £36,500. The vast majority of customers will take ownership using some kind of finance scheme. These can make the prospect of running this Nissan look quite affordable but when all's said and done, this car still remains a relatively expensive way of showcasing your eco-friendly world outlook to the neighbours. You'd certainly have to run it for far longer than most owners will want to if you're to get back the premium you've paid over what a comparably-sized Focus-class family hatchback would have cost. Part of this is because Nissan feels the need to offer even the most basic versions of this car with lots of sophisticated equipment. This, for example, is the only model the company makes which features its 'ProPilot' autonomous driving technology as standard, this a set-up which on motorways, can steer, brake and accelerate for you. There's also a 'ProPilot Park' system which will take control of all steering, acceleration, braking and gear selection to automatically guide the car into a parking slot. Inside, every variant gets a 7-inch colour centre-dash infotainment touchscreen featuring 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring technology. Plus there's a package of 'Safety Shield' features familiar from other Nissan models.

Cost of Ownership

As the UK's electric car charging infrastructure becomes more advanced, it's becomes obviously much easier to make a case for cars like this. Quite a number of 50kW charging points are springing up in our cities and once you locate one of these, you'll be able to regularly re-charge your LEAF from empty to 80% capacity in just 40 minutes. As for domestic charging, well obviously if you plug into an ordinary three-pin plug socket - as you might have to do if you're out and about, say visiting relatives - re-charging still takes ages, though you can get quite a lot of it done with an overnight charge. Of course, for home re-charging, you'll want to fit a proper re-charging wallbox. Nissan can sell you a 7.5Kw domestic charging point that will be able to fully charge the car from empty in five and a half hours. Use a more normal 6kW charger and the replenishment time rises to about eight hours. A nice touch is the inclusion of an LED inspection light in the car's charging point so that owners won't have to rely on street lighting to connect their cars to an electric source at night. Add these quick charging times to the increase in driving range that this current generation LEAF model has delivered over its original predecessor (a WLTP-rated figure 168 miles is quoted for the standard 39kWh model) and LEAF ownership could now add up for people who previously couldn't have justified it. To further strengthen its case, Nissan will want EV folk to consider the alternative 'e+' model, which uses a 59kWh capacity battery and is supposed to be able to extend that WLTP range to 239 miles.

Summary

Has this car's time finally come? Probably not quite yet, but the improvements Nissan continues to make will open up a much larger market for it. In developing this second generation model, the Japanese maker has clearly listened to customer feedback. The biggest issue of course was driving range, but as well as enhancing that with the alternative 'e+' variant, the brand has also added a package of technology that will make buyers feel that they're at the cutting edge of automotive technology. Of course, some of the previous issues still remain. The car is still quite expensive to buy in the 'e+' form you'll probably want, the looks will divide opinion and you won't even be able to consider it unless you have off-street overnight parking. Little by little though, all-electric motoring is widening its customer reach. And, as it's always been, the LEAF remains right at the forefront of that change.

Body Glass

Rain sensor

Rear wiper

Electric front/rear windows

Rear privacy glass

Automatic rain sensing wipers

Brakes

Traction control

VDC Dynamic Vehicle Control

Hill start assist

Front and rear vented brake discs

Intelligent emergency braking with pedestrian recognition

Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)

Intelligent trace control

ABS with EBD and brake assist

Mechanical parking brake

Electrically driven intelligent braking system

Intelligent ride control

Chassis/Suspension

Mac Pherson strut front suspension and twist beam axle rear suspension

Communication

Apple car play/Android Auto

eCall emergency call system

Driver Aids

Lane departure warning system

Speed limiter

Front and rear parking sensors

Intelligent Cruise control (ICC)

Rear cross traffic alert

Moving object detection

Electric power assisted steering

Blind spot warning

Intelligent around view monitor

Intelligent lane intervention

Intelligent driver alert system

Blind spot intervention

360 degree colour camera view

Driver Information

Trip computer

E Pedal

7" full colour TFT screen combimeter

8" colour display with touchscreen

Navigation system with voice control

Nissan connect services app (air conditioning control, cabin heating and charging)

EV telematics system

Driving Mirrors

Automatic dimming rear view mirror

Electrically adjustable and folding door mirrors

Entertainment

6 speakers

DAB Digital radio

Audio system with USB

Bluetooth with audio streaming

Rear USB ports

Exterior Body Features

Chrome door handles

Shark fin antenna

Illuminated charge port

Rear side wing doors

Aero roof spoiler

Grey rear bumper finisher

Exterior Lights

Front fog lights

Automatic activation of hazard warning lights

Follow me home headlights

High beam assist

LED third brake light

Intelligent auto headlights

Halogen headlamps

LED signature rear lights

LED signature daytime running lights with directional indicator

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

PTC (Positive Temp Co-efficent) heater

Automatic climate control with pollen filter and timer

Energy saving cabin heating system with heat pump

Interior Features

Woven fabric upholstery

12V socket

Multifunction leather steering wheel

Rear assist grips

Front centre console and armrest

Telescopic steering wheel adjustment

Rake and reach adjustable steering column

Packs

Heat pack with Heated front seats - Leaf

Safety

Driver and passenger airbags

Height adjustable front seatbelts

Side airbags

3 point front seatbelts with pre-tensioners

Curtain airbags

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Front seatbelt pretensioners + load limiters

3x3 point rear seatbelts

Seatbelt reminder for driver and front passenger

Manual child proof rear door locks

Nissan safety shield

Seats

Rear head restraints

Front head restraints

Front seatback pockets

Manual adjust driver/passenger seats

60/40 split folding rear seat

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Height adjustable driver seat

Isofix child seat anchor points

Single front passenger seat

Security

Immobiliser

Remote central locking

Deadlock

Thatcham Category 1 alarm

Intelligent Key with push button starter

Transmission

Single motor

Vehicle Charging

6.6 kw On-board charger

Max DC charging power, ChaDeMo type: up to 50kW

Charging port remote opening

39kWh usable battery capacity

Wheels - Alloy

17" Diamond cut black alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Tyre puncture repair kit

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 420

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 6.6

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 60

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 50

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 20-80

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: N

Coupler/Connector Type: CHAdeMO Type 2

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000

Battery Capacity in kWh: 40.6

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - City: 389

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 270

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEL: 270

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEH: 270

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 17

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEL: 17

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEH: 17

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 3.7

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEH: 3.7

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEL: 3.7

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - City: 242

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 168

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEH: 168

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEL: 168

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 75

Charging Port Location: Front

Usable Battery Capacity: 39

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 50

Emissions - ICE

CO2 (g/km): 0

Standard Euro Emissions: N

Noise Level dB(A): N

CO: N

HC: N

NOx: N

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): N

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): N

CC: 1

Cylinders: N

Cylinder Layout: N

Number of Valves: N

Camshaft: N

Fuel Delivery: N

Catalytic Convertor: N

Engine Layout: N

Compression Ratio: N

Transmission: AUTO

Gears: 1 SPEED

Engine Code: N

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: N

EC Urban (mpg): N

EC Extra Urban (mpg): N

EC Combined (mpg): N

General

Coin Series: N-Connecta

Coin Description: N

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 24E

Service Interval Mileage: 18000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Badge Power: 150

Badge Engine CC: 0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 2

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 7.9

Top Speed: 90

Engine Power - BHP: 150

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 110

Engine Power - RPM: 3283

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 236

Engine Torque - NM: 320

Engine Torque - MKG: 32.6

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: N/A

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 215/50 R17

Tyre Size Rear: 215/50 R17

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 17" ALLOY

Wheel Style: DIAMOND CUT

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4490

Width: 1812

Wheelbase: 2700

Width (including mirrors): 2030

Height: 1540

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1540

Gross Vehicle Weight: 1995

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: N

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: N

Max. Loading Weight: 455

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 435

No. of Seats: 5

Max. Roof Load: 35

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1176

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 10.6

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Pearlescent paint

Two tone paint with Pearl black roof and door mirrors

Two tone special paint with Pearl black roof and door mirrors

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Pearl black

Metallic - Gun metal

Paint - Pearlescent

Pearl - Blue

Pearl - Storm white

Paint - Solid

Solid - Flame red

Paint - Two Tone

Two tone paint - Magnetic red/Pearl black roof and door mirrors

Two tone paint - Blade silver/Pearl black roof and door mirrors

Two tone special paint - Storm white/Pearl black roof and door mirrors

Two tone special paint - Ceramic grey/Pearl black roof and door mirrors

Two tone special paint - Magnetic blue/Pearl black roof and door mirrors

Trim - Cloth

Woven fabric - Black

Vehicle Charging

6m EVSE 3-pin cable