Nissan Leaf (2018-2024) review
The all-electric Nissan Leaf is a practical and efficient family hatch, but it faces a growing number of appealing EV rivals
Just so you know, this is a review of a new 2018-2024 Nissan Leaf. If you are interested in information about a used Nissan Leaf, or news about the latest Nissan models, please follow the links provided.
The Nissan Leaf impresses in pretty much every area. It’s easy to drive and comfortable, especially around town, and it has a decent range that should make it appealing to a wide range of buyers. Given how much it costs, there’s an impressive amount of tech on offer, too, and it has enough space for all the family.
There’s a chance that people who already own one of the first-generation Leafs will be unhappy to see just how ‘normal’ this model makes owning, driving and living with an electric car – in its looks, interior, interface and the way it drives. However, for us, our only real disappointment is that, from a quality and style point of view, it’s still not as appealing as the VW ID.3.
About the Nissan Leaf
If you want a sense of the speed things are changing in the world of electric cars, the second-generation Nissan Leaf is a great place to start. It arrived in 2018 offering new levels of practicality, user-friendliness and - above all - the ability to travel significantly further on a single charge of its battery pack than most rivals could manage. As a result, it went straight to the top of an admittedly limited class of all-electric family hatchback options.
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Back then, we put the Leaf up against key rivals the BMW i3, Renault Zoe and VW e-Golf, and none could muster a winning hand against the new Nissan. Today, the landscape has changed significantly, and the Leaf has to contend with a gaggle of impressive electric challengers - mostly in the form of SUVs. In various back-to-back tests we’ve conducted the Leaf has lost out - albeit narrowly - to the MG ZS EV, Kia e-Niro and Hyundai Kona Electric. All offer similar - or greater - range, performance and efficiency, but with more space and comfort, more impressive infotainment systems and typically for a bit less money.
Closer to home, the new VW ID.3 hatchback ramps the pressure up a notch by bringing a new level of sophistication and perceived build quality, but the Leaf still stands out as a great all-rounder. Like the roster of rivals above, the Leaf is an electric model that you can seriously consider as an only car.
Under the latest WLTP tests, Nissan quotes a range of 168 miles for the standard Leaf, and you can actually expect to see a range of around 160 miles in everyday use, in the summer at least: cold weather seriously limits EV range, and you might be lucky to get around 100 miles from a full charge when it's really chilly.
If you want to go even further, there’s the Nissan Leaf e+, with the ‘+’ part of the name signifying that this version has a bigger battery, which gives it a WLTP range of 239 miles. It also has more power, with 214bhp compared to the standard car's 148bhp.
Charging a Leaf via a 7kW wallbox home charger will take 7.5 hours for the standard car, while the Leaf e+ takes 11 hours. A 50kW fast charger will get the standard car's battery from 20 to 80 per cent charge in an hour. If you keep the battery topped up every time you park (much like you would with a smartphone) then range anxiety shouldn't be an issue the vast majority of the time.
That will leave you to get on and enjoy the Nissan Leaf and how it drives. It's quiet, refined and comfortable around town - although the suspension is a little on the firm side to help it cope with the weight of the batteries - while the assorted driving aids are very useful.
The main highlight is Nissan's e-Pedal system. This boosts the resistance from the electric motor and allows you to drive just using the accelerator, without the need to press the brake unless in an emergency. Once you get the hang of it, it's possible to boost your electric driving range by being as smooth as possible with the e-Pedal system.
Also available is Nissan's ProPilot driver assistance system. This includes adaptive cruise control, lane assist and traffic jam assist, which can control the car at low speeds in slow-moving traffic.
While the Nissan Leaf was an electric pioneer, it now has a fast-growing number of rivals that come in a variety of guises. The main opposition will no doubt be the popular VW ID.3, while the Renault Zoe is a supermini-sized option. Hyundai now offers the Kona Electric SUV, which has more usable range, as does the Kia Niro EV, while the MG ZS EV is a keenly-priced alternative.
Engines, performance and drive
If you’ve never driven an electric car before, what will surprise you most is how easy it is. Floor the throttle in the Leaf and the car picks up pace smoothly and easily, as the motor’s distant whine is accompanied by glorious, instant torque. It’s tremendously responsive, making this a thoroughly undemanding car to drive.
Just like the first-generation Leaf, this model is at its most relaxing when the conditions and traffic around you are at their most stressful. In town, the e-Pedal system (fitted to every model) really comes into its own – allowing you to drive using just one pedal. There’s a similar system in the (now discontinued) BMW i3, but Nissan’s version goes further, engaging the brake if it needs to.
On the road, you can instantly feel e-Pedal in action when you turn the system on. The right-hand pedal immediately has more resistance, forcing you to be firmer with your inputs to maintain rapid progress. Lift off, though, and the speed washes away smoothly.
Most drivers will take a couple of hours to learn where to lift off to come to a halt at traffic lights and junctions – the braking is so strong that, to start with, you’ll stop short of where you're meant to. But once you’ve adapted to the system, you’ll wonder (as we do) why e-Pedal is not the default setting and has to be switched on manually.
The steering is also ideal for urban driving – light, but direct enough for you to position the car confidently. And, although the ride is firm – anything with such a big battery pack will require that approach, to keep body control in check – the Leaf shows enough of the sophistication of its Qashqai sister car over the worst potholes. Only really sharp imperfections reach the cabin, while the firm set-up means the car doesn’t roll too much in bends.
Out of town, you’ll really appreciate how quiet the Leaf is. Indeed, Nissan claims it’s 30 per cent more hushed than similarly sized rivals with internal combustion engines, and we can believe that. You’ll notice a bit of tyre noise, but only really because the car is otherwise so serene.
Engines, 0-60 acceleration and top speed
The standard Leaf has a 148bhp electric motor that gets its energy from a 40kWh battery, while the long-range Leaf e+ has a 214bhp electric motor with a 62kWh battery.
In operation, the electric motors are tremendously smooth and responsive. It’s enough to get the standard car from 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds, which is probably much quicker than most people think an electric car can go, while the Leaf e+ is six-tenths quicker with a claimed 0-62mph time of 7.3 seconds.
Range, charging and running costs
One of the major attractions of any electric car is how little it can cost to run. Depending on how you drive and charge it, it can work out to be significantly cheaper than a conventional petrol or diesel car.
When you plug into one of the sockets under the flap in the nose to charge up, it’ll take 21 hours from empty to 100 per cent off a household three-pin plug socket, 7.5 hours with a home 7kW charger or you can get a 20-80 per cent charge in 60 minutes from a 50kW fast charger.
The Leaf e+ has longer charging times thanks to its bigger battery. From a plug socket, it's a huge 32 hours, while a wallbox takes 11 hours, so if you're charging a flat battery overnight, you best get it plugged in as soon as possible to guarantee a full charge. A 50kW top up from 20-80 per cent takes around 1.5 hours.
Perhaps the big question is: how far will it go? According to the new Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure (designed to produce a more representative result than the previous test), the standard Leaf will travel as far as 168 miles; and, if our test drives of the car are anything to go by, around 150 miles should be achievable.
However, in common with any electric car, the range you actually achieve will also depend hugely on the way you drive, the time of year (cold weather has a negative impact on driving range) and how much you’re carrying. The Leaf e+ has better figures than the standard car, with a WLTP combined range of 239 miles.
Regardless of how far you go, having zero tailpipe emissions also means that the car gives you access to further savings - for example, the car is exempt from the London Congestion Charge.
Regular maintenance can also be cheaper on the Leaf than on a petrol or diesel car, because there are fewer moving parts, and you won’t have to pay for things like oil changes. In addition, using the e-Pedal system reduces brake wear, as it uses electrical resistance to slow the car instead of the discs and pads so you'll save on costs there, too. You’ll also save on annual road tax rates as electric cars are exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty.
Insurance groups
The Leaf range starts from insurance group 21, but climbs to group 26, so higher-spec cars will incur more expensive premiums. However, in comparison, a Peugeot e-208 in GT trim sits in group 28 for insurance.
Depreciation
The Leaf holds onto around 56 per cent of its value after three years and 36,000 miles, so as well as providing you with low running costs, the all-electric family hatch should provide you with a decent return come resale time.
To get an accurate valuation on a specific model check out our free car valuation tool...
Interior, design and technology
Nissan themselves will admit that the design of the first-generation Leaf could have put some people off, but it’s hard to see that happening with this model.
Although it’s a striking shape with some hi-tech lines, the current Leaf is certainly rather more conventional than the original car. The front end has Nissan’s family grille, and with tail-lights that echo those of the popular Juke baby SUV, this could even be a family hatch with a combustion engine – were it not for a few tell-tale signs, like the awkward-looking bonnet flap, which lifts to reveal the charging sockets.
The most basic Visia trim has been dropped, making Acenta the entry point to the Leaf range. Even so, it comes with 16-inch black alloy wheels, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a rear-view camera and Nissan’s full suite of driver assistance systems including lane departure warning and rear cross-traffic alert. From N-Connecta trim, the car also comes with tinted windows and a black pillar between the front rear doors, while the top Tekna models have full LED headlights. If you're looking at the long-range Leaf e+, it only comes in N-Connecta and Tekna trims.
You can see how engineers have tried to give a seamless transition to the EV experience. Apart from the odd flash of backlit blue, the layout, plastics and finish are as they’d be in any contemporary mid-sized hatch.
But, there are still some familiar sights, such as the gear selector from the original Leaf between the front seats, and Nissan’s regular infotainment system in the centre of the facia. Quality is a mixed bag. The plastics across the top of the dash and door are a bit cheap and some of the switches aren’t exactly premium-looking.
Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment
Every model comes with a customisable eight-inch TFT screen next to the analogue speedometer, as well as Bluetooth connectivity and the smart Nissan Connect EV system. This gives you not only Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but also an intelligent navigation system that will help plan your journey, showing places where you can charge, up if you need to.
Acenta models also come with six speakers for the stereo but if you opt for a range-topping Tekna model, it comes with a premium Bose stereo and seven speakers
Practicality, comfort and boot space
The Leaf comes only as a five-door, five-seat car, and if you’re wondering how well an electric car can accommodate all its batteries and a full load of passengers and packages, the answer is very well.
In part, that’s because the battery pack is underneath where the passengers sit, so it doesn’t intrude into the cabin at all. It’s also easy for the driver to get comfortable behind the wheel, although the steering wheel only adjusts for rake.
The one thing you might notice – especially if you’re in the back – is that you sit a little higher than you might expect. So, rear-seat passengers do sit with their knees a little tucked up, but the car will take four six-footers. To cap it all, the boot is very generous, meaning the Leaf is one of the most practical cars of its size and type.
Dimensions and size
One look at the Leaf will show you that, in terms of size and shape at least, it’s a conventional five-door small family hatchback. And, at 4,490mm long, it’s slightly longer than a Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf.
Where you will notice the Leaf – quite literally – standing apart from its rivals is its height. At 1,540mm high, it’s a fair bit taller than the Ford and Volkswagen; and, in fact, it’s not far short of SUVs like Nissan’s own Qashqai.
Leg room, head room & passenger space
Other than sitting a bit higher than those in the front seats – and with their knees tucked up a little – rear-seat passengers won’t have anything to complain about. In fact, head and legroom are good throughout the Leaf, and it can happily take four adults in comfort.
That means it’s up with the very best in its class, and easily on a par with the likes of the Golf and Focus. There are also Isofix child-seat mounting points on the outer rear seats.
Boot space
The Leaf’s boot is simply vast. At 435 litres, it’s way bigger than what you’ll find in electric versions of the Golf or Focus. As a result, it provides enough room for a couple of suitcases or a weekly shop for a (very) large family. There’s certainly space for the thick charging cables EV drivers store in their boots, and even a couple of nets on either side of the boot to tidy those cables away.
And, for those times when you need even more space, you can fold down the rear seats, which are 60/40 split as standard on every model.
Reliability and safety
The latest Leaf scored a full five stars out of five when tested by the experts at Euro NCAP in 2018, scoring 93 per cent for adult safety and 86 per cent for child occupant protection.
Similarly, we’re reassured by the large amount of safety-related tech that comes on the car. As well as the usual collection of airbags, ABS and ESP, every version also has Intelligent Emergency Braking (which will automatically apply the brakes if it senses a possible impact), Lane Departure Warning and Intelligent Lane Intervention, which will guide you back into lane, if you start to drift out of it.
Also standard are Nissan’s Intelligent Trace Control and Intelligent Ride Control systems. The former will automatically apply the brakes to keep the car on its desired cornering line, while the latter uses a combination of the engine and brakes to prevent the car pitching up and down as it travels along a poorly surfaced road.
It takes advantage of the way that a car’s nose will rise slightly when the driver accelerates, and then fall again when the driver brakes or just lifts off the accelerator. So, by imperceptibly adjusting the brakes or accelerator, the system can make the car ride more smoothly.
Beyond that, the Pro Pilot system (an option on N-Connecta trim and standard on Tekna) not only adjusts your speed to keep you a set distance from the car in front – bringing the car to a complete halt, if necessary – it will also keep you centred in your lane.
The Leaf ranked 63rd (out of 75 cars) in our 2022 Driver Power ownership survey, down from 40th place in 2021, while Nissan itself achieved 15th position on a list of 29 manufacturers, up from 18th spot in 2021.
Warranty
Like every Nissan car, the Leaf comes with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty. This is about average for this class, but it can be extended for an additional fee.
However, beyond that standard warranty, there is also some extra cover to recognise the fact that the Leaf is an electric car.
For a start, the car comes with a five-year/60,000-mile warranty on all the dedicated EV components; and, for eight years/100,000 miles, the battery warranty cover protects against capacity loss of more than nine of its 12 bars, as shown on the capacity gauge on the dashboard.
Servicing
Service intervals on the Leaf are every 18,000 miles – the same as on a diesel Qashqai, for example.
Nissan also operates a system of fixed-price servicing options, starting at around £150 for a minor service on an electric car – which is cheaper than for a petrol or diesel model.
