Nissan Leaf review - 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.

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. 

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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 

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.