Nissan branches out with all-new Leaf

REVEALED Once a dowdy hatchback, the Leaf has morphed into a sleek and slippery rival for the VW ID.3 and Kia EV3

- Jordan Katsianis [e-mail]

ONE of the big EV innovators that helped to push electric cars into the mainstream has been completely reimagined. Where once the Nissan Leaf was a sensible, somewhat awkward-looking C-segment hatchback, this all-new generation is much more interesting. That's not just because of its more arresting design, but also because it now packs some impressive numbers that will bring it right back into contention with key rivals including the Kia EV3 and Volkswagen ID.3.

Range and batteries

It's those two competitors that Nissan has its eye on, with the Leaf designed to appeal to both the low-mileage urban dweller and, thanks to a new long-range battery option, higher-mileage business users.

The new long-range battery is a 75kWh unit that gives the Leaf up to 375 miles of range, which matches the EV3's best efforts and beats the ID.3's claimed 369-mile maximum. The Leaf’s battery powers a front-mounted 214bhp e-motor, propelling the car from 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds and onto a top speed of 100mph.

Nissan quotes DC charging speeds of up to 150kW, which will top up the battery from 20 to 80 per cent in less than 30 minutes. Meanwhile, a UK-based development team has also been testing the Leaf during sustained high-speed driving to give owners a better idea of the car’s motorway efficiency. The company says the long-range Leaf will still offer around 204 miles of range on a single charge at a constant 80mph.

The entry-level 52kWh battery, which is aimed more at urban use, is still capable of reaching 270 miles on the WLTP test cycle, with 138 miles achieved during Nissan's in-house test at 80mph.

This version is powered by a slightly less powerful 174bhp e-motor, and charging speeds are slower at 105kW, yet the smaller battery can still be topped up from 20-80 per cent in 30 minutes. This edition will do 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds and manages the same 100mph top speed as its sibling.