LEAF MIND BLOWER? (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_nissanleaf_2018

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 103

Back in 2017, the second generation Nissan LEAF aimed to electrify the affordable part of the EV market - in more ways than one. It tried to go further - not only in terms of powered-up range but also in its efforts to bring fresh levels of space, comfort and technology to the full-electric part of the family hatchback segment. By the early part of this century's the decade, rivals were beginning to overtake it in all these areas, but this lesson still has something to offer if you looking for a budget priced compact family EV from the 2018 to 2025 period.

Modelsword count: 5

5dr family hatchback (EV) [Visia,Acenta,N-Connecta,Tekna,Shiro]

Historyword count: 287

Back in this century's second decade, if you thought of an affordable all-electric car, you were usually thinking of a Nissan LEAF, which back then was the world's best selling EV, with over 300,000 models sold by the time of this ZE1-era MK2 design's introduction in early 2018. Like its ZE0-era predecessor, this second generation LEAF was a Focus-class five-door hatch that took on rivals of the time like the Volkswagen e-Golf, BMW's i3 and the Hyundai IONIQ Electric. To interest at least some of those people, Nissan improved EV range with this MK2 model, though the distance you could travel between charges was still some way off Tesla levels. Still, you could go almost twice as far as you had been able to in early versions of the original model thanks to a much gutsier 40kWh battery for mainstream variants, which replaced the old car's feeble 24kWh unit. It also helped sales that the MK2 version of this car now looked more conventional and that it was more driveable than before courtesy of a torquier electric motor that was 40% more powerful, putting out 150PS. An 'e-Pedal' system means you'll hardly ever need to use the brake, making your super-refined journeys even smoother. Plus there was a 'ProPILOT' package that delivered semi-autonomous driving capability and a 'ProPILOT Park' system that claimed to be able to slot your LEAF into the tightest space at the press of a single button. A larger-battery 62kWh variant arrived in 2020 to sell alongside the volume 40kWh version. By 2023, only a 40kWh 'Shiro' special edition model remained in the line-up. The Z01-era MK2 LEAF model sold until late-2025 when it was replaced by a much more competitive all-new Z02-era design.

What You Getword count: 212

This MK2 LEAF was a larger, lower and more sharply sculpted design that broadened this model's customer base considerably. Buyers moving into electric vehicle ownership for the first time will also find the transition easier once they get behind the wheel. There's a high-set SUV-like driving position, but otherwise the feel seems at first glance very much as you'd get in any ordinary family hatch. Closer inspection though, reveals some unique LEAF cabin features; a stubby little auto gear lever and an instrument binnacle display that curiously mixes an analogue speedo with an accompanying customisable colour TFT display. Pretty much everything else you'll need to know is delivered by the centre-dash 7-inch 'NissanConnect EV7' monitor that nearly all variants got. It's not as sophisticated as the screens you get in rival EV models, but with smartphone-mirroring and navigation including a map showing local charge stations, it delivers most of what you'll need to know. The rear bench can comfortably accommodate a couple of adults and three kids will probably be fine too. Taking three large folk though, is made difficult by the prominent height of the centre transmission tunnel. Lift the tailgate and find yourself faced with a 436-litre cargo bay - around 100-litres more than the previous generation model could offer.

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