2021 Nissan Leaf Electric Car Review: e+
Content
- Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
- Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10
- How practical is the interior space? 7/10
- What are the main characteristics of the transmission? 7/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
- What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10
- How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 8/10
- What is it like to drive? 7/10
- Verdict
Prior to the advent of the Tesla Model 3, the Nissan Leaf was the best-selling electric car in the world, and for good reason. The Leaf has been in the zero-emissions game for a long time, so long in fact that it's now about halfway through its second generation.
Yes, while other EVs are just getting started, the Leaf has done well, but now the impact of the tidal wave of new zero emission models is being felt and the Leaf needs to reclaim its place in the market.
Meet the Leaf e+, a long-range version of the regular Leaf that hopes to ease any range worries and make buyers realize the Leaf can be more than just a city car. So let's find out if that's really the case.
| Nissan LEAF 2021: (base) | |
|---|---|
| Safety Rating | |
| engine's type | - |
| fuel type | Electric guitar |
| Fuel efficiency | —L / 100km |
| Landing | 5 Places |
| Price from | $38,800 |
Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
Starting at $60,490 plus travel costs, the Leaf e+ offers a significant $10,500 premium over the regular Leaf, with buyers offsetting the extra cost with increased range, faster charging, and better performance, but that's about it. later.
Standard equipment on both the Leaf e+ and regular Leaf includes dusk-sensing LED lights, rain-sensing wipers, heated and power folding side mirrors, 17-inch alloy wheels, a compact spare tire, keyless entry and rear privacy glass.
Inside, push-button start, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, and a seven-speaker Bose audio system feature.
Inside the e+ is an 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system.
There's also a 7.0-inch multi-function display, a heated steering wheel and heated front and rear outboard seats, and black leather upholstery with Ultrasuede gray accents.
What is missing? For starters, it would be nice to have a sunroof and a wireless smartphone charger.
Like the regular Leaf, the Leaf e+ competes with the Hyundai Ioniq Electric (from $48,970) and Mini Electric ($54,800) in the slow-growing all-electric small car segment.
However, the Tesla Model 3 midsize sedan (starting at $62,900) isn't much more expensive than the Leaf e+, with its entry-level Standard Range Plus variant offering more range, charging and performance.
Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10
When it comes to electric vehicles, the Leaf e+ doesn't really stand out from the crowd, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
When it comes to electric vehicles, the Leaf e+ doesn't really stand out from the crowd.
While many EVs make a statement with their polarizing looks right from the start, the Leaf e+ whispers rather than screams.
And thanks to the blue metal edging on the front bumper, which visually separates the Leaf e+ from the regular Leaf, it blends into the background even more.
Perhaps the Leaf e+ looks best from behind with boomerang-style taillights.
Look closely, though, and you'll notice a closed version of the Nissan Leaf e+'s signature V-shaped grille up front, with the charging ports hidden under a cover above.
On the side, the Leaf e+ shows some flair with blacked-out B-pillars and C-pillars that work together to create a floating roof effect.
- While many electric vehicles make a statement with their looks, the e+ is more of a whisper than a scream.
- While many electric vehicles make a statement with their looks, the e+ is more of a whisper than a scream.
- While many electric vehicles make a statement with their looks, the e+ is more of a whisper than a scream.
- While many electric vehicles make a statement with their looks, the e+ is more of a whisper than a scream.
- While many electric vehicles make a statement with their looks, the e+ is more of a whisper than a scream.
- Where many EVs make a statement with their polarizing looks, the e+ whispers rather than screams.
- Where many EVs make a statement with their polarizing looks, the e+ whispers rather than screams.
- Where many EVs make a statement with their polarizing looks, the e+ whispers rather than screams.
- Where many EVs make a statement with their polarizing looks, the e+ whispers rather than screams.
- Where many EVs make a statement with their polarizing looks, the e+ whispers rather than screams.
- Where many EVs make a statement with their polarizing looks, the e+ whispers rather than screams.
- While many electric vehicles make a statement with their looks, the e+ is more of a whisper than a scream.
- While many electric vehicles make a statement with their looks, the e+ is more of a whisper than a scream.
The Leaf e+ arguably looks best from behind, with its boomerang-style taillights that look business-like, along with a rarely seen semi-black tailgate.
Inside, the Leaf e+ is a little more adventurous, with black leather upholstery with Ultrasuede gray accents throughout.
That said, the Leaf e+ doesn't feel as premium as its price suggests, with conspicuous use of cheap hard plastic and the glossy black finish scratches easily.
In terms of technology, the Leaf e+'s 8.0-inch central touchscreen is well placed, but the infotainment system it runs on isn't exactly cutting-edge, lacking the functionality of most of its competitors, making it safer to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. bet.
The Leaf e+'s 7.0-inch multi-function display is better done, not only offering the driver all the information they need, but also conveniently located to the left of the traditional speedometer.
And while it may not look very attractive, the Leaf e+'s stick-style gear selector actually works quite well, using shift-by-wire technology to provide a different driving experience.
How practical is the interior space? 7/10
At 4490mm long (with a 2700mm wheelbase), 1788mm wide and 1540mm high, the Leaf e+ is slightly larger than the average small hatchback, although that doesn't necessarily mean good things for practicality.
The minimum load capacity of the trunk is 405 liters.
For example, while the minimum boot capacity is quite good (405L), its maximum storage space of 1176L with the 60/40 rear sofa folded down is compromised not only by a pronounced hump in the floor, but also by some of the Bose audio system details.
The maximum storage space of 1176L is limited to some parts of the Bose audio system.
To make matters worse, the loading edge is very, very high, making it difficult to load bulkier items, and there are no lashing points handy to secure loose cargo. However, you do get two side grids for storage.
In the second row, the compromised packaging is again conspicuous, and the rear seat is positioned quite high due to the placement of the battery at the bottom. As a result, passengers are strangely towering over the driver and front passenger.
However, there is still about an inch of legroom behind my 184cm driving position, while headroom is also available by an inch. However, legroom is virtually non-existent, and the tall center tunnel eats into precious legroom when three adults are seated.
Children will certainly have fewer complaints, and the younger ones are even better cared for, with three top cables and two ISOFIX anchorage points for installing child seats at hand.
In terms of amenities, rear door baskets hold one regular bottle each, and card pockets are located on the backs of the front seats, that's all. The rear air vents are nowhere to be seen, nor is the foldable armrest with cupholders and connectivity options.
The first row has a USB-A port, a 12V outlet and an auxiliary input located at the base of the center console.
Naturally, things are much better in the front row, where the USB-A port, 12V outlet, and even the auxiliary input are located at the base of the B-pillar, with a smartphone-sized compartment conveniently located underneath.
Two cup holders and a key fob-sized slot are located behind the gear selector, and the center compartment is oddly shaped and not particularly deep.
Luckily, the glove box is a hit, capable of swallowing the owner's manual and other small items, while the front door bins can hold one regular bottle apiece.
What are the main characteristics of the transmission? 7/10
The Leaf e+ features a 160 kW front electric motor with 340 Nm of torque, 50 kW and 20 Nm more powerful than the regular Leaf.
Needless to say, the Leaf e+ is the more capable of the two, accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, one second faster than the regular Leaf. Even its top speed is 13 km/h higher at 158 km/h.
How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
The Leaf e+ has a 62kWh battery that delivers 450km of NEDC-certified driving range, 22kWh more and 135km more than the regular Leaf.
However, it's worth noting that Nissan itself lists a range of 385km for the Leaf e+ and 270km for the regular Leaf, favoring the more realistic WLTP testing standard in its reports.
In any case, the Leaf e+ claims an energy consumption of 18.0 kWh/100 km, which is predictably 0.9 kWh/100 km higher than the regular Leaf.
Flying the Leaf e+ in the real world, we averaged 18.8kWh/100km over 220km, with the launch route predominantly on highways and country roads, so we could have gotten even more bang for our buck by spending more time in traffic.
So you can count on at least 330 km of range on a single charge in the real world, which is more than enough for a confident trip within reasonable limits from the city to the country house and back, which is not the case with a regular leaf.
When the Leaf e+ runs out of power, it takes 11.5 hours to charge its battery from 30 to 100 percent capacity using a 6.6 kW AC charger, while a 100 kW DC fast charger will charge it from 20 to 80 percent in 45 hours. minutes.
For reference, the normal 6.6kW Leaf's AC charge time is four hours faster due to the smaller battery, but the DC fast charge time is actually 15 minutes longer since the maximum power is 50kW.
It's also worth noting that both the Leaf e+ and the regular Leaf have the widely available Type 2 AC charging ports, but their DC fast charging ports are unfortunately the hard-to-find CHAdeMO type. Yes, this is outdated technology.
What's missing is bi-directional charging, which the Leaf e+ supports out of the box. Yes, in addition to many uses, it can power your home, refrigerator, and everything else with the right infrastructure.
What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10
The ANCAP has given the entire Leaf range the highest five-star safety rating compared to the 2018 standard, meaning the Leaf e+ is still receiving 2021 independent safety approval.
The advanced driver assistance systems in the Leaf e+ extend to autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, high beam assist and driver warning.
In addition, there is blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, surround view cameras, front and rear parking sensors, and tire pressure monitoring.
Yes, aside from crossroad assistance, cyclist detection, steering assist, and forward cross traffic alert, not much is left out here.
Other standard safety equipment includes six airbags (dual front, side and curtain), skid brakes, electronic brake force distribution, emergency brake assist and conventional electronic stability and traction control systems.
Warranty and safety rating
Basic Warranty
5 years / unlimited mileage
guarantee
ANCAP Safety Rating
How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 8/10
Like all Nissan models, the Leaf e+ comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, two years short of the "no strings attached" standard set by Kia.
The Leaf e+ also comes with five years of roadside assistance and its battery is covered by a separate eight-year or 160,000 km warranty.
Like all Nissan models, the Leaf e+ comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.
And the Leaf e+ service intervals are every 12 months or 20,000 km, whichever comes first, with the latter being longer.
What's more, the price-limited service is available for the first six visits for a total cost of $1742.46, or $290.41 on average, which is pretty good.
What is it like to drive? 7/10
Driving the Leaf e+ immediately shows that it is slightly larger than the regular Nissan Leaf.
As soon as you put your right foot on, the Leaf e+ transfers extra power and torque instantly but smoothly, resulting in acceleration that is undeniably on par with a warm hatchback.
Driving the Leaf e+ immediately shows that it is slightly larger than the regular Nissan Leaf.
This higher performance certainly puts a smile on your face, but not in a shocking way (pun intended). However, it is greatly appreciated.
What is strikingly good is the regenerative braking. There are three settings for it, the most aggressive of which is the electronic pedal, which effectively allows single pedal control.
Yes, forget the brake pedal, because as soon as you start accelerating, the Leaf e+ will deliberately slow down to a complete stop.
Of course, this needs to be learned, but you quickly understand when to start moving in different scenarios. Not only do you learn to drive again in a fun way, but you also recharge your battery along the way. Brilliant.
The Leaf e+'s battery is located under the floor, which means it has a low center of gravity, which is great handling news overall.
Indeed, the Leaf e+ can be quite interesting on a good twisty road, showing good body control despite not only moving almost 1800kg side to side, it forgoes an independent rear suspension in favor of a less complicated torsion beam.
If you push too hard, the Leaf e+ will begin to understeer, but traction will be ensured at any time, even though the drive is transmitted only to the front wheels.
The Leaf e+'s electric power steering is heavier, which I appreciate, but it's not necessarily super direct or overly communicative.
Ride comfort is also relatively good. Again, being an electric car, the Leaf e+ has more weight than a traditional small hatchback, so it has a stiffer suspension. As a result, road bumps are felt, but never interfere.
Finally, with no conventional engine running in the background, reducing other loud noises is key for the Leaf e+. It's done well, the roar of the tires is only audible at high speeds, and the whistle of the wind over the side mirrors is only triggered at speeds above 100 km/h.
Verdict
There is no doubt that the Leaf e+ is a significant improvement over the regular Leaf. In fact, its longer range, faster charging and higher performance make it a tempting option for EV buyers in 2021.
However, like the regular Leaf, the Leaf e+ is not perfect, and the biggest problems lie in its compromised packaging and close price positioning to the much more attractive Tesla Model 3.
However, the Leaf e+ should still be above the regular Leaf on these buyers' shopping list after a relatively affordable EV with enough range for both city and country driving.
