Video Summary
Here's a summary of the YouTube video review:- The Nissan Leaf is one of the most popular electric cars on sale and a good choice for a dependable family car.
- The second-generation model was launched in 2017 and has been just as popular as the first.
- There are two different batteries available: a 39 kWh and a 59 kWh, which brings an official WLTP range between 168 miles and 240 miles.
- The smaller battery car is being reviewed: a 2020, top-spec Tekna.
- Prices start from around £16,000 for the Mark 2 Leaf.
- Battery life expectancy: expect after three years, about 6% battery range loss.
- The Leaf is considered reliable, and if there are any issues, they are usually with the trim or the ancillary electrics.
- The key thing is to check the battery health bar: there should be 12 segments to it. If there’s any less than that, the range will be a bit less than what it was when new.
- Ask to see it with the battery fully charged and look at the range estimate; be mindful that has been affected by how the car’s been driven previously.
- The boot is a decent size, but loading longer items can be an issue due to the rear seat fold down.
- There’s plenty of passenger space.
- The rear seats offer two pairs of Isofix fittings.
- The rear seats offer lots of passenger space.
- This version of the Leaf fares well in crash tests and has safety aids, including semi-autonomous ProPilot mode.
- The interior of the Leaf is not bad, but the driving position is a weak point due to short adjustments.
- All Leafs get Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Sat Nav.
- The Bose sound system is very good in the top-spec Tekna model.
- Charging time: The bigger battery will give 80% in approximately 35 minutes, or 100 miles in 20 minutes.
- The smaller battery model will charge in 40 minutes to 80%.
- The Leaf uses a Chademo socket, which isn’t as common as the CCS chargers used by almost every other modern EV.
- Plugging into a home car charger, will charge the Leaf in 6.5 to 10 hours, depending on the battery.
- The Leaf’s best features: it is very durable, full of tech, safe, and reliable.
- The Leaf is known for its one-pedal drive mode, or e-pedal, which allows for strong brake generation when lifting the throttle.
- There is slightly different performance with the different batteries; the standard Leaf gets 147 brake horsepower and goes 0 to 62mph in 7.9 seconds.
- Real-world range is 140–150 miles with a few motorway miles and at best 3.1 to 3.2 miles per kWh.
