We say The Leaf's stand-out feature is its cash-saving electric drivetrain - but it's a good all-round car too.Performance The Leaf is powered by an electric generator developing 280Nm of torque and producing 108bhp. The Leaf can complete the benchmark sprint from zero to 62mph in 11.9 seconds and has a top speed of 89mph.Emissions Since the Leaf is purely an electric car, it produces zero emissions at source. Fuel economy is a source of conjecture but the Leaf can cover 100 miles on one charge, which is believed to be around £1’s worth of petrol.Driving The Leaf handles like a family car powered with a normal combustion engine.
The Leaf is at home in the urban jungle, twisting and turning through city centres with ease but it will be OK on the motorway too – assuming you’ve done your range calculations.Feel Take it out onto motorways and the car feels assured at the national speed limit.
The position of the battery also gives the car a low centre of gravity, making the Leaf feel even more agile.Space The Leaf offers a good driving position as the seat is very flexible. Five adults can be seated in relative comfort. 330-680 litres of boot space available, so the Leaf is plenty practical.Equipment With only the one trim level choice is non-existent. However, Nissan has added a good list of standard kit to the car.Price £30,990 with the government electric car grant. Running costs will be better than any combustion engine car with low energy costs, no road tax or congestion charge and cheaper servicing.
Quality The Leaf’s plastics and materials are of a good quality and most importantly the interior looks like a ‘normal’ car.Safety The Leaf is fitted with ABS and Electronic Brake Distribution, six airbags, and there are two ISOFIX points and a rear-view camera for safe and easy parking. Electric batteries system is well protected. A maximum five stars in Euro NCAP tests.Pros Excellent running costs, looks like a normal car, cheap to run.Cons Expensive to buy, not as fun to drive as a regular petrol or diesel car, limited range as well.Alternatives Toyota Prius, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Renault Fluence ZE
