Nissan Leaf review

If you think electric cars, like the Nissan Leaf, are a new invention, then prepare yourself for a surprise: they actually date back to Victorian times. Yes, there were battery-powered horseless carriages whirring around the streets of London and Paris well before the turn of the last century, and electric cars even dominated land speed records until 1902. However, there’s a good chance that the first modern electric car you’ll have actually heard of is the Leaf.

When it was launched around a decade ago, the Leaf made other battery-powered alternatives of the age seem like golf buggies because it looked, well…like a proper car. It drove like one, too, with nippy acceleration and a top speed that meant you could actually get where you were going faster than you could on a bicycle.

The Leaf is now in its second generation and is a much better all-rounder than the original model. It’s faster, better to drive, bigger inside and, perhaps most importantly of all, capable of much longer distances between charges. There’s also a range-topping e+ version with a bigger battery that promises an even longer range and faster acceleration.

But in recent years a whole battalion of new or revised electric rivals have whizzed silently into view. You can choose from SUVs like the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia e-Niro, and regular hatchbacks, such as the Peugeot e-208, Renault Zoe and Volkswagen ID.3. Is the Nissan Leaf better than those alternatives, and will it really fit into your lifestyle if you’re coming from a petrol or diesel car? We’ll tell you all you need to know over the next few pages, along with which trims and options make the most sense.

If you decide you want to buy a Nissan Leaf, check out our New Car Buying service to find out how much you could save on the asking price with no need for any bartering.