GreenBkk Auto | Nissan Leaf

Nissan Leaf

Highly Recommended.

The Leaf is Nissan's answer to a steadily increasing demand for electric cars, and manages to set a fantastic standard for the rest of the industry to follow

Nissan Leaf review

Nissan gave the world's press so many chances to try prototypes of the all-electric Leaf that it was a fair bet that the final version was not going to be an absolute dog - but there was no way of telling it was going to be this good.

Most of the attention focused on the early wave of electric cars is directed at just how much you have to change your attitude towards running a private vehicle in regards to recharging. Nissan has done a good job of ensuring the switch from straight refuelling is as seamless as possible. Inevitably the charging is going to be an obstacle, but there need not be a change in lifestyle for early adopters.

Returning home to charge the car every night and not going too far without making sure there is somewhere to plug in is not much more of a commitment than having a family pet. The lack of charging points in public areas and installing a unit at home is expected to cost up to £1,000. That means it won't suit singletons living in urban flats and long weekend driving habits, but families with settled routines and a garage will do just fine.

Otherwise, the Leaf is just like any other car in almost every way. The amount of standard equipment on the model means that once the government's £5,000 subsidy is taken into account it's actually very competitive with its conventionally powered rivals in terms of price and packaging. It comes with a rear parking camera, sat nav, a highly specified stereo, Bluetooth and an auto gearbox. Actually, the description of an auto gearbox is slightly misleading, as there are only two gears - forwards and backwards.

The lack of shifting cogs is just one reason why the Leaf is so smooth to drive. There is a fantastic amount of pulling power available from almost any speed as there is no hint of the momentary delay you'd get in an internal combustion engine. It is only at higher speeds that the Leaf struggles to offer this instantaneous surge of acceleration.

A few minutes at higher pace will tell you that there is no way the Leaf is designed with this sort of driving in mind anyway. Apart from the lack of acceleration that makes overtaking a more considered affair, high speeds sap the batteries energy very quickly and the lack of a heavy lump of engine up front means the Leaf feels a little unstable on the motorway.

Stick to the car's natural urban and suburban habitats though and it comes into its own. Slot the gearlever into D twice and you go into an eco mode that virtually eliminates the possibility of draining the battery with a heavy right foot. Not only does the range indicator prove to be accurate and realistic under normal driving, in eco mode it feels as though it might even go further than its estimated 100 mile range.

In normal mode, the car is surprisingly entertaining as the steering is responsive, and the delightfully rapid thrust is hard to tire of. The Leaf is proof that electric cars need not be slow, boring or even that much of a lifestyle compromise.

Overall car ratings

STYLING

The Leaf manages to look striking enough to turn the occasional head but is not intent on flaunting its eco status in the overstated way the original Prius did.

HANDLING

At low speeds the Leaf is remarkably good fun, with decent steering and a parking camera meaning it is easy to squeeze into tight spots. It feels less happy at motorway speeds.

COMFORT

Almost all urban bumps are soaked up with ease, but larger potholes are not dealt with quite so smoothly. The seats are firm and supportive.

QUALITY & RELIABILITY

A lack of predecessors and therefore a precedent on the reliability front prevents the well-finished Leaf from scoring top marks. The interior is finished to a high standard.

PERFORMANCE

Final performance figures have yet to be confirmed, but the Leaf feels faster than the 11 or so seconds that Nissan has suggested it will take to do the 0-62mph dash. Treat it right and you will see it keep going at least as far as the range computer predicts - perhaps even further.

ROOMINESS

The rear passengers get a decent amount of head and leg space, but the boot is compromised by the battery under the floor. This means it is not quite as practical as a conventional Golf or Focus, but not far off.

STEREO / SAT NAV

The presence of the sat nav and a well-connected stereo as standard is a huge bonus, but there are few differences between the slightly fiddly unit on other Nissans.

RUNNING COSTS

It is hard to argue with the minimal cost of plugging a car into the mains every hundred miles or so rather than pouring expensive fuel into a tank. A rise in your electricity bill is to be expected, but day-to-day costs will plummet if you buy a Leaf.

VALUE FOR MONEY

Conventional rivals are cheaper, but not with this much kit - sat nav, parking camera, auto gearbox and Bluetooth are all standard. However, if the government's £5,000 grant disappears then that becomes a different prospect.

ENVIRONMENT

The fact that the Leaf still uses electricity that is produced using fossil fuels means it is not perfect yet - estimates suggest this means running a Leaf produces the equivalent of 80g/km. However, that is an argument for elsewhere. Driving down the road there are none of the usual noxious gases churning out of the exhaust.

Credit: Fifth Gear