Advert
The Nissan Leaf has been relaunched – and it’s a big step forward from the old model. Longer range, shorter charging times and just about everything is better than before, with prices starting from £33,000.
The original Nissan Leaf was made around 15 years ago, when electric cars were a novelty. Not so much now. While EVs make up around 4.99% of the total number of cars on the UK’s roads, that’s still over 1.7 million of them – and the number is growing. This September, a record 72,779 battery electric vehicles were registered, representing 23.3% of the market, driven by manufacturer discounts, the introduction of the Electric Car Grant, and a wider model range. Although the second-generation Leaf launched in 2018, rapid technological advancements mean the upcoming third-generation model has high expectations to meet.
With the growing popularity of SUVs, the new Leaf adopts a crossover SUV-like appearance. It features a raised, bolder stance that transforms it from a simple family hatchback into a taller, stockier vehicle, while maintaining a sleek design with a drag coefficient of 0.25.
The familiar ‘wraparound’ front is revamped for a more sophisticated look, incorporating thin headlights, a front splitter, and robust cladding at the bottom. The rear now boasts a more modern design, with a spoiler seamlessly integrated into the tailgate and half of the rear shaded in black.
The new model is slightly shorter at 4,350mm – 140mm less than its predecessor – but is 22mm wider (excluding mirrors) and up to 20mm taller. The boot offers 437 litres of capacity with an adjustable floor for extra storage, perfect for items like charging cables.
The cabin is impressive, featuring a two-tiered dashboard, a lovely-looking 14.3-inch infotainment screen alongside an identically sized digital instrument display, and a decluttered, albeit not minimalist, layout.
Five people will fit in the Leaf. It’s roomy in the front, but the rear legroom isn’t outstanding for tall occupants – and you can’t get your feet under the front seats to stretch out.
The top two trims get an electrochromic sunroof, creating a light environment, and all models come with active aerodynamics to maximise the range.
A couple of battery sizes are available – 52kWh and 75kWh – with ranges of 271 and 386 miles respectively, the latter offering a vast improvement over the old model.
The Nissan Leaf offers two performance levels – 174 and 215hp – achieving 0-62mph in 8.26 seconds and 7.6 seconds, respectively, with Sport mode engaged.
The former isn’t available to review for a couple of months, so we’ve tested the latter, which generates more torque. The acceleration feels impressive, even though performance isn’t what Nissan is chasing here.
Handling is decent but not particularly engaging, with good grip that can be overwhelmed, along with some lean in corners due to the Leaf’s SUV-like stance. At sensible speeds, the car responds well to steering inputs, and Sport mode adds weight to the steering, but it doesn’t significantly transform the feel. Regenerative braking is controlled by paddles on the steering wheel, with an option to activate the adaptive ‘e-Pedal’ mode.
The overall driving experience is serene, with good soundproofing, although wind noise from the mirrors can be an issue at higher speeds. The ride is comfortable but can feel wallowy on uneven roads.
The cabin features a cockpit-like design with, as mentioned, an appealing infotainment screen. However, the entry-level model comes with a basic Nissan system, while higher trims include a superior Google unit. Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto comes as standard. Climate controls are touch-sensitive but separate from the touchscreen, and the instrument display combines traditional dials on a digital screen.
The new Nissan Leaf is available with a 52 kWh battery pack, offering a range of 271 miles – a significant upgrade from the previous model. The larger 75 kWh battery can exceed 100 miles more, reaching a range of 386 miles. During our first drive in Denmark, we observed a potential range of about 269 miles while cruising at 70 mph.
Both batteries support maximum rapid charging rates of 105 kW and 150 kW, with a 20-80% charge taking just under 30 minutes. The WLTP consumption figures stand at 4.5 miles/kWh for both batteries.
Additionally, the Leaf features Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality for powering devices and will be Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) ready in the future, enabling energy to be returned to the grid.
As mentioned earlier, there are a couple of battery options (52 kWh or 75 kWh) and four trim levels, known by Nissan as grades, namely Engage, Engage+, Advance, and Evolve.
A head-up display is available in the Evolve trim we drove, along with electric seat adjustment and a massage function. The top two trims also feature a Bose premium audio system.
Prices start from £33,000 for the smaller battery pack, while the larger battery costs £36,000 – those prices are for the entry-level Engage trim, though. The extra cost of the top-of-the-range Evolve grade will be confirmed imminently.
There’s a range of exterior body colours, plus a choice of interior trims, as well as various optional extras, which include larger 19-inch alloys (standard on the Evolve version).
The new Leaf comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty (EV-specific components are covered for five years/60,000 miles), while an eight-year, 100,000-mile guarantee covers Nissan’s battery.
The Nissan Leaf is tempting. It’s a significant improvement over the outgoing model, offering decent practicality, a nice but not luxurious interior, and a far bolder exterior that transforms its appeal compared with its predecessor.
This new model is comfortable, offers decent performance, and has acceptable (albeit somewhat disengaging) handling, as well as a significantly improved range and a generous equipment list, especially when opting for a higher trim level. There’s a lot to like.
The car is being manufactured here in the UK at Sunderland, with deliveries set to begin in February 2026.
There’s lots of competition out there, but as the autumn leaves fall to the ground, this is one Leaf that’s come (albeit very quietly) roaring back to life. We award the Nissan Leaf a rating of 8 out of 10.
Drive an EV for less than you think with Select Car Leasing 
Save 20-50% on an EV through salary sacrifice with The Electric Car Scheme 
ClearWatt supports buyers, sellers and owners of EVs with app-based battery health testing and detailed EV data insights available for every used EV in the UK. Take the stress out of buying a used EV with ClearWatt and save 10% on all their products with promo code “GCG10”. 
Zapmap: UK's No.1 EV charging points app 2025. Zapmap helps EV drivers search for EV chargers, plan longer journeys and pay for charging. 
Tim Barnes-Clay, Contributor
