By Alex Forrest
The new, all-electric Nissan Leaf has a battery range of 270km, which is over 100km more than that of the original Leaf. That’s a big improvement, but it had to be - expectations of electric cars have moved.
At $55,600 drive away, it’s about the same price as the original one was when it first appeared in Australia, but you also get much more in the new one.
For example, this Leaf has the ability to do vehicle-to-home bi-directional charging, meaning you could charge it at work using solar power during the day, and drive home and use it to power your house that night.
Even so, the Leaf’s price could also get you a highly satisfactory European performance hatchback, which is why the new Leaf’s interior has a very premium look and feel. At this price, an all-electric car is much more appealing when it also feels like a luxury one.
Central to the Leaf’s infotainment system is an eight-inch touch screen with good resolution, which incorporates the ability to mirror your smart phone via Apple Car Play or Android Auto, depending on your phone.
The new Leaf also brings with it a range of next generation safety technologies such as autonomous emergency braking, active cruise control and rear cross traffic alert.
The Leaf’s e-Pedal, when activated, allows the driver to control almost all the car’s acceleration and deceleration needs using one pedal.
It does this by maximising the car’s regenerative braking capacity, so when you lift your foot off the accelerator, the car uses energy that would normally be lost in conventional braking and puts it back into the battery, giving it a little charge every time the car slows down.
The e-Pedal is a good idea, though it would be good to have the ability to vary the rate of the regenerative braking.
While the new Nissan Leaf now has much more competition than its predecessor had, it also has far more appeal, and not just with its improved range.
That luxury interior, the up-to-date safety gear and sharper appearance will all play a role in keeping one of the oldest EV names relevant.
| Price driveaway (as tested): | From $55,600 drive away |
|---|---|
| Engine: | AC synchronous electric motor |
| Power: | 110kW |
| Torque: | 320Nm |
| Claimed battery range: | 230km |
| ANCAP Rating: | 5 stars |
| Electric driving efficiency: | Undisclosed |
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