114 | AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE
N
issan is turning over a new
Leaf. The second generation
of the world’s best-selling
electric car is now available in
Australia. With sharper looks,
stronger performance and,
most important of all, increased
driving range, the popular plug-
in hatchback is selling better
than ever around the world.
In Norway, for example, the
Nissan has been topping the
nation’s new-car sales charts
since going on sale there in
February 2018.
After spending quality time
with a new Leaf in and around
Oslo, is that it’s a pretty
persuasive EV. The new model
has a 40kWh lithium-ion battery
pack beneath the fl oor of its
cabin, an increase of 10kWh over
the 2012 original.
This is enough for a reliable
real-world 200-plus km driving
range. According to the new and
more realistic WLTP energy-
consumption test, the Nissan’s
driving range is 270 km. Careful,
effi ciency-minded drivers should
get close to this fi gure.
Beneath the fl ip up cover
in the Nissan’s nose are two
plugs. One is for charging
the battery using a 6.6kW AC
wallbox. This will take 7 hours
30 minutes to fully recharge
a completely empty new Leaf
battery. The other plug is for
connecting with 50kW DC fast
chargers. These can 80 percent
recharge an empty Leaf battery
in around 40 minutes. They’re
common in Norway, almost
unknown in Australia.
New Leaf’s battery powers
a 110kW electric motor, 30kW
more than the old model. It drives
the front wheels through a simplesingle-speed transmission.
Acceleration is prompt and
peppy. It’s completely smooth
and silent, too.
The Nissan’s driver-selectable
e-Pedal mode increases
the strength of the car’s
regenerative electric braking, so
that releasing the accelerator
will bring the Leaf to a smooth
halt. It makes driving in stop-
start city traffi c very easy.
On motorways and country
roads the Leaf steers neatly,
handles tidily and isn’t too
bothered by bumps.
Inside is ample room for four
adults. A large centre tunnel
limits the usefulness of the
rear-seat’s middle position. The
cargo compartment, around 400
litres, is large.
Safety features includes
360 degree camera coveragewith moving object detection,
adaptive cruise, autonomous
emergency braking, blind spot
monitoring and lane keeping.
The edgier exterior design of
the new Leaf aims for broader
appeal than the dumpy design of
the original, and succeeds. But
the interior, though spacious,
easy to use, and well equipped (at
least in top-grade Tekna form)
fails to create a perception of
elevated quality.
Still, the new Nissan Leaf is a
big improvement. It should tempt
anyone seriously considering a
switch to plug-in power. Nissan
recently announced plans to
produce an e-Plus version with
a 60kWh battery for increased
driving range and a more powerful
motor. Though sure to be more
costly, this will be an even more
seductive EV.By John CareyNISSAN LEAF FROM $49,990
THINGS WE LIKE
Smooth and quiet
Peppy performance
Interior space
Driving range
You’ll never have to go to a servo
againTHINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE
Interior materials, fi t and fi nish
quality isn’t great
More costly than fossil-fuel
equivalents
Lack of fast DC fast-charging in
Australia (for now)
250km or so is still a pretty limited
rangeSPEX
Made in Japan
40kWh lithium ion battery/electric
motor/single speed transmission/
front wheel drive
110kW of power from
3283-9795rpm/320Nm of torque
from 0-3283rpm
0-100km/h in 7.9 seconds (claimed)
Electricity consumption: 206Wh/
km; CO2 emissions: zero, if
charged from renewable power
Warranty: Five years/unlimited km
Standard: Six airbags, stability
control, lane keep assist,
autonomous emergency braking,
blind spot monitoring, rear
cross traffi c alert, automatic
headlights, 7-inch infotainment
screen, Bluetooth, navigation,
voice control, digital radio, Apple
CarPlay, Android Auto.
Redbook future values: New
model, not yet establishedSafety
(EuroNCAP)
Green Vehicle GuidePerformanceHandlingQuality and reliabilityComfort and refi nementValue for money
Overall
STARS
compare with ...
Hyundai Ioniq, Hyundai Kona ElectricS