I’m driving a Nissan Leaf EV – here’s my honest review

Some cars come with a mission to shake things up, others quietly exist to prove just how far their creators have come. New nissan leaf Sits somewhere in the middle. This is the third generation of the car that effectively started the modern EV movement in 2011, and although this latest version doesn’t feel the need to shout about itself, there’s a quiet confidence about it. Nissan Is busy reinventing its flagship hatchback. Proudly built in Sunderland once again, the Leaf returns as a British-A family EV built with generous range, engaging technology and a mature driving experience that seems increasingly rare in an EV market obsessed with flashy gimmicks.

On paper, the latest Leaf looks like Nissan at its best: efficient, cleanly styled and engineered with real-world application at its core. It is based on the CMF-EV platform shared with That’s it And there’s a lot of borrowing from Nissan’s alliance partner RenaultIt adopts a much more slippery shape with a drag coefficient of just 0,25 and brings with it a completely digital interior featuring Google built-in, It’s a big step up from the previous car, which was never lacking in curb appeal but was beginning to feel its age in the rapidly evolving electric market,

What the Leaf does brilliantly is filter out the noise and focus on what matters: comfort, simplicity, generosity, usability and value. This is a car designed for the large number of motorists who want the benefits of an EV, but not necessarily the drama or complexity that some of the newer electric models have. This is clearly reflected in how it runs. There’s nothing gaudy here – no artificial sportiness, no artificial noise, no exaggerated performance. Instead, the Leaf offers a composed ride, secure handling, and steering that feels natural and familiar.

It’s far from exciting, and the cabin could certainly use a little more flair, but with impressive range, strong efficiency and the possibility of receiving a full EV grant for UK production, the Leaf is shaping up to be one of the most attractive electric family cars of 2026.

How we tested

My first experience of driving the latest Nissan Leaf was in California where the car was being judged as part of the World Car Awards. I drove the car on some of California’s roughest urban roads that felt just as bad as the roads at home, while I also took to the freeways and winding roads in the hills above Pasadena. I also visited the Leaf in the UK, where I checked out the practicality and technology.

Independent Rating: 8/10

nissan leaf specification

Battery, range, charging, performance and drive

The new Leaf comes with a choice of two battery sizes: a 52kWh unit for drivers who primarily stay local, and a larger 75kWh pack for those who want longer legs and fewer charging stops. The headline figure is the latter’s maximum claimed range of 386 miles, which immediately puts the Leaf among the longest-range mainstream electric cars on sale. What’s even more impressive is that Nissan quotes a real-world motorway figure of 269 miles at 70 mph, a claim supported by the car’s extremely slippery aerodynamics.

Efficiency is equally strong, with both batteries rated at up to 4.5 miles/kWh, meaning the Leaf should remain economical to drive even in cold weather. Nissan’s focus on aerodynamics is evident, from the flush door handles to the smooth underbody, all working towards reducing energy consumption.

However, charging performance is more modest. The Leaf supports 150kW DC rapid charging, meaning a 20-80% top-up in less than half an hour. This is perfectly acceptable, but rivals from Hyundai and Kia are now pushing for more than 200kW.

On the road, the Leaf feels pleasantly big. Nissan has tuned the suspension – MacPherson at the front, multi-link at the rear – for comfort and composure rather than dynamics. It shows. The Leaf rides with a suppleness that is welcome on rough roads, yet remains clean in corners with predictable and safe handling. The steering is light but reassuring, offering the kind of effortless ease that’s perfect for everyday driving.

The performance is quite fast. The 75kWh model produces 215hp and 355Nm, giving it a 0-62mph time of 7.6 seconds. It’s no sports car – and makes no attempt to be one – but it feels confident and responsive, especially in city driving.

Interior, practicality and boot space

Step inside the new Leaf and you’ll immediately be amazed at how sensible, clean and neat the cabin is. Nissan has gone for functionality over nature, resulting in an interior that’s extremely easy to live with but not exactly memorable. Quality is decent, with well-assembled materials and reassuring sturdiness on most surfaces, although the design is weak and lacks the warmth or personality found in some rivals.

The real strength of the cabin lies in the space and layout. Thanks to the Leaf’s relatively long 2,690 mm wheelbase, there’s a fair amount of space for both front and rear passengers. Adults may find it a little cramped behind taller people up front, while there’s very little leg room under the front seats. However, the wide doors make it easy to load child seats and the flat floor adds to the feeling of openness.

Front-seat occupants enjoy a comfortable driving position with plenty of adjustment – ​​it’s a far cry from the sit-up-and-bag driving position of the old car – and visibility is impressive thanks to the relatively slim front pillars. Storage is robust, with large door bins, useful cup holders and plenty of cubby space.

The digital setup dominates the dashboard. Two 14.3-inch displays – one for the instrument cluster and one for the central infotainment – ​​give the cabin a distinctly modern edge.

At the rear, the Leaf offers a large 437-litre boot, which beats many compact EV rivals and provides ample space for luggage, a pram or a good amount of shopping. The load lip is reasonably low, and although the rear seats don’t slide or recline, they do fold to increase cargo capacity when needed.

It’s all very practical and soberly executed. The only real downside is that it feels a little dull – the kind of cabin that works brilliantly every day but never makes much of an impact. Still, for many families, this will be a gain rather than a loss.

Technology, Stereo and Infotainment

Tech is one of the new Leaf’s strongest suits, with NissanConnect and Google forming the backbone of a thoroughly modern, integrated infotainment experience. It’s not just Android Auto, it’s full native Google functionality built into the car, including Google Maps with EV-specific routing, Google Assistant voice control, and the ability to download apps through the Google Play Store.

The dual 14.3-inch screens give the cabin a high-tech feel, and both are sharp, responsive and easy to navigate. Google Maps is a big upgrade over many manufacturers’ in-house systems, especially when it comes to live traffic, charger availability, and route planning accuracy.

NissanConnect Services also enhances the experience by providing remote access to the car through a smartphone app. Owners can preheat the cabin, check battery status, schedule charging or plan a trip all from their phone. Over-the-air updates ensure that the system remains up to date long after purchase.

A standout feature is the 3D Around View Monitor, which includes an “invisible hood view” to help navigate tight spaces and tricky roads. It is one of the most advanced parking systems in its class and makes driving at low speeds very easy.

Audio performance varies by trim, but the system in my top-spec car was crisp and clear. With the car’s quiet electric drivetrain and good noise insulation, it’s a good place to listen to music or podcasts on long trips.

Safety technology is extensive and includes Nissan’s latest ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, blind-spot intervention, rear cross-traffic alert and emergency braking system. The car’s driver-assistance suite works smoothly and confidently, adding to the Leaf’s overall effortless ease and sense of sophistication.

Prices and operating costs

The new Leaf costs £32,249 after the £3,750 rebate on the Government’s Electric Car Grant Band One is removed.

Given its equipment levels, range capability and generous interior space, the Leaf is likely to remain well below many imported rivals in terms of price once the subsidy is granted. For families considering EVs but wary of rising costs, this will be a significant attraction.

Running costs should also be low thanks to the Leaf’s excellent efficiency rating of up to 4.5 miles/kWh, meaning lower charges per month and lower household electricity bills. Nissan’s experience with EVs goes back more than a decade, and that legacy is reflected in the Leaf’s anticipated reliability and battery longevity.

nissan leaf rival

questions to ask

How long does it take to charge?

Using the DC rapid charger, the Leaf takes less than 30 minutes to charge from 20 to 80%. A home wallbox (up to 11kW AC) can fully recharge the battery in a few hours.

Is the Nissan Leaf worth it?

If you value comfort, range, strong technology, and excellent pricing for an EV grant, absolutely. It’s not the most exciting EV, but it is one of the most complete family models.

Does Nissan replace batteries for free?

Nissan offers a comprehensive three-year warranty package, as well as access to connected services through NissanConnect and battery coverage for eight years.

Why trust us?

Our team of motoring experts has decades of experience driving, reviewing and reporting on the latest EV cars, and our verdicts are tailored with every type of driver in mind. We thoroughly test every car we recommend, so you can be sure our judgments are honest, fair and authentic.

Verdict: Nissan Leaf

I’ve always had a soft spot for the Nissan Leaf. It was the first EV that actually felt like a proper car rather than an experiment, and this new version returns to that formula with confidence. The driving experience is well judged: smooth, comfortable and safe, without any of the unnecessary drama that some new EV builds seem desperate for. It’s not exciting, but it’s easy – and that’s what a lot of buyers want.

The cabin may be a little dull, and the charging speeds aren’t state-of-the-art, but the promise of range, refinement, technology and attractive pricing more than makes up for that. And the fact that it’s made here in the UK gives it a sense of pride that few rivals can match.