Oh Nikki how lovely. My wife and I purchased our 2017 Nissan leaf and have absolutely loved it. I was so surprised to hear you call Portland Oregon home! We are moving there from rural Florida, North of Tampa in just a couple weeks. I just love watching your show. You are inspiring and passionate. Bravo. Maybe one day our leaf cars can have an ev playdate. You have a great thing going. Keep up the good work.
I have this car in my garage and I love it. We are a family of 2 adults (retired) and a doggy named Bailey. This car doesn’t eat into our pension anymore and is just great for our occasional long trips. Good job Nissan. Now give it thermal battery management. “PLEASE”.
I've been driving a Leaf for 5.5 years now. I'm on my 3rd Leaf, not because of failures just upgrading. For the first 18 months I used the 110v 12 amp charger and had only 1 day a month where the rate was to slow. I then upgraded the charge cord to run on 220v @ 12 amp and used that until 6 months ago when I could finally afford a 30 amp charge station plus install. In Washington state the install of a EVSE is sales tax exempt by the way.
Great review. Much better than others I've watched. Thanks for going into the pro pilot since couldn't find a comprehensive review of this anywhere. Looks like it's not worth the upgrade for me.
Glad I got a volt rather than waiting. In the Premium package it has the combination of lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking that seems to match the leaf in Spec, but after this review, I think it might be a little more intuitive and might actually work better. No one-pedal though, On the subject of Level 1: I've charged Level 1 every night for years. my commute is about 35 miles on a typical day (like most people in the US) and I never have a problem being full in the morning. Well, never after I discovered the charge settings on the Volt. It defaults to an 8A setting (about 1kw) for use on underpowered, shared, or weak wiring. On one hand it's a nuisance but on the other hand it could be great for emergency charging on an extension cord or in a random found plug that wasn't locked. Helpful, but not as helpful as the generator the car carries around with it. So, Leaf 2.0, not really impressed. I do think that in a few years when a Nismo Leaf might come out, well, I would definitely want to have a look. For a more typical driver starting to look at EVs, it might be just the ticket. Having been around the EV world for a while now we have gotten spoiled by "wild styling" and "cutting edge tech" in each new EV release. We have to remember that what appeals to us today is definitely Not what the average car buyer is looking for. In order for EVs to achieve universal mass market acceptance they will have to be as normal as the new Leaf. I hope Nissan sells a million of 'em.
I have a red Tekna on order which should arrive in Barcelona in April. Only had a short test drive, but loved the car. Epedal was great! I liked the higher and comfortable seating position for driving. The safety features are going to be extremely useful. The cross traffic notifications when reversing out of parking spaces is a feature I need. The car I have has cruise control and makes for relaxed driving. It will be even better on long trips on a motorway to have the lane keeping and the adaptive/intelligent cruise. I have been trying out trip planning in the apps for finding chargers. Mostly looking good here in Spain around the coast line. Not so good for getting from Barcelona to Madrid. There's one section with no chargers in the range of the vehicle. I'm looking forward to the Apple CarPlay because my present car sucks in terms of telephony. I am wondering how the voice control built into the car works with the infotainment system in the 2018 Nissan Leaf. Something to play with when I get the car. Overall I reckon I will be happy with the car for a good few years and it is super the batteries have a good eight year warranty. Well done with the review Nikki.
Very good review. The leaf maybe a little boring, but it has rock solid build quality and reliability. Yes even better cabin noise insulation than Tesla. It's all so 7 thousand less than a Bolt. Big plus in my opinion.
Fictional car the 60kWh Leaf? It's confirmed by Nissan since the october 2017 japanese presentation of the New Leaf. It will launch this fall, LG Chem is already producing the battery packs for it.
N C As you said there's no perfect option in this price range yet. So unless you really need a new car right now, it's worth waiting a year or two for the upcoming much better models. The Model 3 for example is in production, and the ramp up now seems to be on track too. So the only question is when they will start to offer the $35K version. Almost certainly this year.
@NC - Guess what - a Bolt/Ampera-E is a fictional thing outside of the US. GM sold Peugeot a bill of goods when it pulled out of Europe and then decided to hold back Bolts. We're never going to get them at this rate (and now likely South Korea - good going, GM..) so in the end, which is worse: A car that's not available in a market that it's intended for, or a car due into the market in 6-9 months? I'll take the latter and I'll have a 60kWh Leaf before the current people on the Bolt list (or Model 3) ever see theirs.
N C There's no lottery, they are very clear about in what order they deliver the cars, and they even give you an ETA if you reserve one. The Model 3 is already the best selling EV on the market, even at this higher price. You can't get one only because the demand is huge. Which also shows that most people like the Model 3 way much better than the competition.
I have a 2011 Leaf and I love it. The doors are amazing as they open very wide. I have had the traction battery replaced just paying 20% of the battery cost. I have been through 3 12 volt batteries since 2013. It just that good but it is a city car and I live in a area that is 25 miles in either direction to go anywhere.
First off I must say, Great Video, AWESOME REVIEW of the new 2018 Nissan LEAF...but why, WHY has Nissan made it so that the batteries are not interchangeable?! This just doesn't make sense...IF they truly are the same shape and size I would SO want to be able to swap out my 2017's battery once I've used every last "drop" out of it. From a technology standpoint and working in I.T. this doesn't seem impossible as the BMS would only need a SOFTWARE UPDATE and then BAM your older LEAF 2011~2017 can now enjoy the benefits of the 40kWh battery pack! I mean come on...if I can swap out 6 cell laptop batteries with 9 cells or larger and achieve longer run times with my laptop you would think one could do the same thing with their electric car!
You make a good point from a technological standpoint. However, at the moment you say "BAM !!" after having installed the upgraded battery pack, Nissan says " SHIT !! , we just lost another sale !!!" Nissan is in the business to sell you a new car, not keep their old cars on the road for 20 to 30 years. I am sure someone will get a wrecked 2018 Leaf and figure out how to squeeze the battery into an older model Leaf ( Car Guru, are you listening ?).
I own a Chevy Bolt and came to the realization that all cars have really become expensive in America for some reason over the past decade. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my bolt but if it weren't for the tax credit and massive "Chevy" discount/bargaining (nobody ever pays full price on any GM product in the past century anyway), it would have been a horrible financial decision on my part for a local urban/suburban commuter car. Despite the "massive battery" on the Bolt, it is by no mean a road trip worthy car. You need to tap into the Tesla supercharger network if you want that infrastructure. Personally I think Nissan did the right thing by making the LEAF cheaper. If people want to pay more for the extended range, they can charge a premium for that, similar to what Tesla is doing. The future is not here yet for the masses, but almost ...
I guess Nissan knows that without a network like the supercharger network, 150 mile range is plenty for a local car if charged every night like a cell phone. Nobody in his right mind would go on a road trip with it. I charge the bolt like twice a week and the rest of the time is just carrying around extra weight that I don't need, but deep inside, it makes me happy to know that I have extra range. No intricate battery cooling with the LEAF? I guess technology is advancing so fast that cars are becoming cell phones, no more battery replacement, just upgrade to the new models every decade or so. Perhaps Nissan really knows what they're doing instead GM losing thousands per Bolt sold.
By the way, the supply voltage to domestic properties in the UK is still nominally 240 V AC at 50 Hz, although the declared voltage in the UK is now 230V
Bravo Nikki on your decision to not give Nissan any more of your money! I had rust issues with my Juke (which was discovered before the 5 year warranty) and they wouldn’t cover it....This whole battery thing smells like the same deal. Fool me once shame on Nissan....fool me twice shame on me! I always love your shows!
I found that the lease cost in my area between a low end Leaf and an low end Bolt is about $4k for the 3 years. The 151 mile range will last me 2 weeks of normal commutes, so I'm saving the money. The hatch area also looks very small on the Bolt.
One thing to remember is that base price doesn't include a Quick Charger (Chademo) port, and it is $1590 to add it. For comparison, adding QC to a Bolt LT is $450. And at least for some areas, I'd consider the Heat Pump a requirement, adding cost. True, the Bolt doesn't have a Heat Pump option (Boo GM!!) but with the larger battery, you can just run the heater and not worry. ;-) (Although the Heat Pump doesn't help in really cold climates, so YMMV there.) When I configured a Leaf S with QC and Heat pump, I was actually really close to the price the local Chevy dealer was offering on a Bolt LT. I think I ended up paying under $2k more for the Bolt and it has more range. (I also got the heated seat package thrown in, as the one they had on the lot had that option. Told them I wouldn't pay extra for it, but if they wanted to include it.. So they did.) Now, this is not negative to the Leaf. I've driven the new Leaf. It's a GREAT CAR. Loved it. I just wanted more range and the pricing on the Bolt worked out. I think once Nissan gets into it and dealers start offering some discounts, it will be very appealing. Thought I posted this, but must not have clicked to save it or something. ;-)
You've presented the key features of this new model although I believe you've mixed up the trim level order which is S, SV, SL from base to premium. I've driven the Leaf since the 2014 model and see this new generation as a huge step forward simply on the basis of the additional range. My 82 mile round trip commute left me with having to search for fast-charge options at the end of the day if I needed to make added trips after work. Since purchasing the 2018 model that has become a thing of the past. The combination of not buying gas and avoiding the 16 mile toll charge (EV exempt) makes driving this car cheaper than my previous car which was paid off in full. As a commuter vehicle the 2018 Leaf range target is spot on.
I’ve test driven the 2018 Leaf, and I love it. I dearly wish I could afford to lease one right now, but at this point, I might be able to afford one once the 2019 models are ramping up on the production line.
A very fair review. I've just bought an ex-UK second hand Nissan Leaf 2018 here in NZ. It's just done 4.5 k and is much cheaper than new, and much much cheaper than new rivals and which aren't even available. . The only obvious rival is the new MG EV, which looks very good value but I was a bit uncertain about committing to a new brand with no dealership at all in most of this country. Whilst the battery technology might be a bit suspect, the rest of the car has been noted for its reliability. Not like Tesla, which I definitely wouldn't buy, high insurance, expensive repairs and suspect quality issues. . It certainly isn't perfect. The interior has had some very peculiar features ,The buttresses along the centre console are stupid. The driver's seat will adjust and rise a bit and give room for a passenger's feet behind, but not the front passenger seat - I might see if a service centre could raise this seat a bit, it's just got four bolts to hold it, as far as I can see and could be adjusted.. The cubbyhole of the centre console is tiny. No USB at the back. The folding arrangement of the rear seats is primitive, it would not have been difficult to have the front of the squab to fold forward and the backrest to fold down in front of it, and release a nearly flat floor at the back (I have a Honda Jazz which is brilliant with its "magic seats" ) The front head rests just protrude too far forward for complete comfort. OTH the car is just so comfortable and easy to drive. Almost silent. Nikki may not be impressed by its acceleration but I am, it's effortless and effective. Long distances are an issue in NZ, our charging network is meagre to say the least. We desperately need the government to step in and take some active measures to increase the number of fast chargers by two to three times and then to keep up with the increasing number of EVs in this country (the majority are second-hand ex-Japan Nissan Leafs) This would be much more appropriate than subsidising the cars.
In Canada we get more standard equipment on the S model including the dual charge cable and heated rear seats.Even the Bolt in Canada has the quick charger as standard.
Great review. The pro pilot won't work in the rain - poor weather conditions are always when you need assistance most and in the UK it is wet quite a lot of the time. I am still a little concerned that they don't have any active battery management and the base model having a resistive heater. When a larger battery is available it will be much more compelling but they key then will be how expensive it will be. I noticed a Leaf advert in the UK hardly mentioned it was electric. I am sure it is still pretty quick off the mark compared with a normal hatchback (you would have to thrash an ICE car to keep up with it up to 50 mph).
As a tall person (I'm 6'-4"), I cannot fit comfortably in the new Leaf - the center console rim flares out, and jabs against my leg right below my knee. And while the backseat has a bit better legroom vs the original, it lost headroom, and I hit my head on the headliner. So, it is a non-starter for my family.
As someone who's been electrocuted by everything from a wall and dryer outlet to a downed power drop (the lines going from the power pole to your house, i.e. two lines of 115v ac and a neutral) I can say that people are WAY to afraid of electricity. Yes it hurts and yes it can be dangerous, but it's not the insta-death that most people think it is. You get zapped with more voltage every time you get a static electricity shock than you ever would from an outlet.
I always understood "electrocution" to mean "killed by electric shock", so I'm surprised that you and Nikki claim to have experienced it. Apparently though, the British definition allows for "killed OR INJURED" by electric shock; oh well. What is or isn't lethal varies a great deal by situation, as it depends on the path the current takes through the body. If it goes through the parts that have to do with regulating the heart, it's way more serious than if it just goes from one finger to another on the same hand. As an extreme example of "sometimes even just a few volts can kill ya", I was told in one of my EE college classes of an unfortunate worker in an electroplating plant who, while standing in a plating tank, tried to pull himself out by grabbing the big copper bus bar that the anode plates would be hung on. There were only three to five volts on the bar, but the worker was soaked to his shins in high-conductivity, grounded electrolyte, and the current path was from hands to feet. He cooked.
As someone who has worked in electronics for 30 years and has been zapped numerous times. You are not correct. Static electricity has no current. You are giving people the false impression that being electrocuted is no big deal. This false assumption can be deadly. 110v or 220v can easily kill you if you provide a good ground path for the electricity. It only takes a few milliamps of current across your heart to stop it. If you are standing in water, have wet hands or have one hand on a grounded pipe and touch the other to 110v, you will be dead. 110v circuit breakers normally trip at 15 to 20 AMPS, so the few milliamps (1000 times less) that run through you to stop your heart will not even be noticed by them. People die all the time from 110v or 220v. How lucky do you feel today?
Levenkay - just a side note, but I'm British, and I've *always* taken 'electrocution' to mean death (electricity + execution). I was surprised to hear Nikki use the word. It might be a generational thing, as I'm older.
Also what I find funny is that many people assume that the pro pilot assist works in every occasion. I've driven 2 and the pro pilot assist doesn't work in the rain.
FINALLY!!!! Thank you so much Nikki! I have been waiting for this review from you! I do admit I have test driven both the Chevy Bolt and the Nissan Leaf and since I don't own any of them just yet what I like about the Chevy Bolt is literally just how fast it is and the big screen in the center and how much passenger space there is inside. Other than that though I loved everything else in the Nissan Leaf over the Chevy Bolt I kind of feel for once this review is a little biased since you own a Chevy Bolt. The Chevy Bolt cargo area is a joke to me but right now money talks, so whatever car gives me the better deal I may have to go with that one. Currently people are saying the dealerships are not offering great deals for the Leaf which makes sense since it is new but c'mon it is supposed to be cheaper!
very well done with the review. the content is clear comparison is fair (im a tesla fan but every car cant and should not be measured with tesla options) good sounds (mics) good music overall one of the best reviews I ever seen. (ex: nobody talked about Ebrake during different conditions)
Very good unbiased review of the 2018 Leaf if not 'The best', sadly the lease/PCP deals were just too expensive for me here in the UK. I'm hoping to get hold of a used Leaf in the coming years.
Does the new Leaf have a boot, what is the leg space like in the back? I was expecting an in depth review. It took 20 mins to get through the pre-release the e-pedal and propilot press material and B-roll to get to driving experience. I was starting to forget which colour car you were actually driving. So it's not a Tesla or Bolt/volt - sounds like it has been dumbed down for US roads. Fortunately there are other reviews out there more suited to a european driving experience where model 3s and Chevrolets are not sold. Are you certain the 2018 leaf is cheaper than the 30KWh, over here like for like trim levels are more expensive, to go cheaper you have to accept the new base model that is equivalent to the earliest leaf.
My leaf is being delivered 7th March here in the UK found out I would have been the first person in Europe as I put down the deposit 1st but had to cancel and then reorder grrr some laws in the UK concerning taxi! ;)
Very good review... thank you! Can you comment on the comfort level of the 2018 Leaf vs. the Chevy Bolt?... noise level, seating position, interior room.
We have tested Ampera-E i Norway on 100 kW fastcharger, it do not go above 60 kW. Sorry GM is very cautious With charging speed as you probably know Nikki
The Ioniq is (at least right now) inferior in range, power and in systems like ProPilot or Vehicle to Grid that the Leaf has, also the last has a more polished powertrain too among other things.
Boo for your comment that everyone needs L2 charging at home. I consistently drive less than 20 miles per day, so L1 works perfectly for me. If I had a long range Leaf, I would be fine for a longer weekend trip because my “tank” would still be mostly full Friday night when I come home and completely full by 8am Saturday. That said, thanks for the review.
Folks hoping to hook of rapid charging most of the time on uk electric highway connection at 50kw once past 83% it slows to 7-8kw max, a full charge at a typical 40kw for a busy service area you will expect a full from 6% will take 1h 25mins, in eco at 70mph at 5c I averaged a full battery was 128 miles, town speeds this improved quite a bit, if using epedel at 30-40mph stop start conditions expect 160 miles, in real world
Thanks for your excellent in-depth video, Nikki! Very informative. I am rather liking this car, especially the e-pedal feature. Looks to be a solid, good, middle- of- the- road family car.
Meet some 1st gen leaf owners at the EV test drive center a couple weeks ago - they said the same thing about their current leaf which they were looking to replace as the range was just too low now with the battery degrading. They were looking at the bolt - I ordered a Bolt last week! Cheers
I really like this new Leaf. I’m looking forward to getting one after I finish paying off my 2015. Guess I’m a family hatchback kind of person. Like having space for my dog in the back, etc. The Model 3 is not for me. I know myself well enough to know that the large center screen would bother me.
Great review, but having driven a Leaf for 5 years now, I think the elephant in the room is that lack of a battery TMS. Nissans batteries degrade because of it and the warrenty is pitiful. I don’t think anyone should consider this car until and if the 2019 Leaf adds a way to control the battery loss better.
Nice work Nikki. This is the review I was waiting to see. Despite not being overly favourable, your review will put buyers in the right frame of mind to be able to make a sensible decision about the car. As an Australian, I think we would rather be told "It's a bit shit, but it does most of what they say". Much better than having a salesperson spruik it up, only leading to disappointment and buyer's remorse. Having owned and loved the early model Leaf, I've been anticipating the arrival of the new model. I'll still be looking to buy the new model when they finally arrive in the EV backwater that we live in here. I'll keep your opinions in mind though, when making my decision. Auto makers keep promising better EV's here, but they have been slow to arrive.
Hey Nikki, when you pronounce CHAdeMO as Cha'Day'Mo is that how they say it in Japan? are we Brits making it up again the way we pronouncing it here in the UK?
That and the fact that they force you to upgrade to SV trim for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. I bought the SV for those two and the power driver seat.
I think most people think every one drives just like they do, they don't want a short range car so therefore, no one does. Take me for example. I am retired and drive on average, 181 miles per month mostly on 5 miles or less trips for shopping, Dr. visits, drugstore, so on. Do I need a car that gets 300 miles on a charge, no way. I have a suv in perfect running shape that should last years except this kind of driving is the worst for an ICE. Having a Nissan leaf as a second car makes absolutely perfect sense for people like me. Drive it for all my short hops around town which are bad for the suv, and use the suv for long trips. I have not taken a trip over 120 miles round trip since 2010. One could argue that I should get a Leaf, sell my suv, and rent a suv if I decide to go on a trip. A lot of retirees and elderly fit the demographic I do. The stumbling block may be other people don't yet trust an electric car. I have absolutely no need for a Tesla, although my mouth waters every time I see one.
PLEASE DON'T! say ALEXA! ...............say lady A maybe! .............sorry English is my only language but i'm not good at writing in it. This is the most comrehensive review yet; Thank you,
Thank you for pointing out that patents shouldn't spy on their kids. Trust is far more foolproof than gps (My daughter is 10 and knows that she can come to me with anything and I'm going to handle it calmly and rationally). My parents did the same thing until I was 15 (after that, I started keeping things from then). My sister and I knew that if we were drunk at a party, we'd be picked up without consequences. Because is that, my sister and her friends were never behind the wheel drunk or even bordering tipsy (I rarely drank, except occasionally at home). Tracking and snooping indicates a failure to raise your kids properly and a poor relationship with your kids. God luck with the teen years, I'm scared out of my mind and mine is in 4th grade.
I will order a new car now but I cannot select between Leaf 2 or Ioniq. Leaf have a bigger battery but I have gotten the impression from UA-cam that the Ioniq has longer range when cold and when driving far on motorways probably due to activa battery temoerature management. The Ioniq is also preperared for above 50kW charging and Leaf is not according to specs. Or... what did Nicki mension 150 kW...?
This really is the "affordable EV". Nissan had to build it to a specific price point but it makes EV ownership a reality for many more people. The bigger battery car is coming out next year anyway so the customer demographic will continue to expand.
Karl P it’s not a lot cheaper then the model 3 base model, but until the model 3 is available everywhere then yeah it’s probably the best affordable option.
Karl P, you can. Just not now. The base model Model 3 would compete with a 2019 Leaf with some options. Although pricing and range seems similar, they are a myriad of features different from each other.
Great review Nikki, thanks. Don't think I will be going for the Pro Pilot though.Sounds like it basically doesn't work unless perfect conditions. Adaptive CC will do me fine. Great EV. I think they'll have trouble producing enough batteries to be honest!
Thank you for a great review. On the battery upgrade path, people in Ukraine have been squeezing new 30 kWh batteries into older pre 2015 Leafs for a while, no issues with this, there are some how to videos on UA-cam. Some battery management equipment should be upgraded for this purpose, but that’s easy and cheap. So if the form factor of the 40 kWh pack is the same, they will do the same once we have pre-owned 2018 Leafs here, I assume. A question I have, any plans from Nissan to introduce a thermal management system for their car? According to the mynissanleaf forums 30 kWh packs are notoriously bad in terms of capacity loss (people get 91-93 SOH from dealers, and there lots of one and two bar losers already despite Nissan’s change of the first bar value from 85% to 79-80% SOH), I think things may be even worse with the new more dense 40 kWh battery in this department if there’s no active battery cooling and heating.
Obviously late to the party commenting on this video, but I wanted to pick up in that 1% of journeys where a Leaf might not be practical. At least in the UK and I imagine in other markets, Nissan will lend you an ICE vehicle for up to 2 weeks within the first few years of owning your Leaf.
Have just returned from a test drive with my local dealer. What a disappointment, the dealer, not the car! I was given a 20 minute test drive with the salesman sitting in the back. No attempt to show or explain any features. He seemed to have no interest in selling or promoting the Leaf and was uncertain of the controls and displays. However, in spite of that, I was able to form an opinion of the Leaf. The ride was comfortable, but wind/road noise was very noticeable above 50 on the motorway. Handling was not tight but cornered OK. Overall, I felt the Leaf was competent but not exceptional. I plan to test drive the new Zoe with the next few weeks.
It sounds like nothing has changed. I bought a used Leaf a few years ago and the whole dealer experience was catastrophically bad. Enough to put me off buying another car from them.
When you say boring, is that compared to the original Leaf or other cars out now? I for one found the original Leaf to be quick (compared to my ICE car now). So is the acceleration dumbed down vs the original also? It's faster 0-60 apparently so how can it be?
iKaGe01 Once you try anything faster you might find your perspective changes. You might think your Leaf is quick untill you try a car that is actually quick.
I don't get it. If you spec up the Leaf to equivalent of the basic model 3, the price difference will be very small. And the Model 3 has more power and range. I understand that the basic Model 3 won't be available for like 10 months but is this 10 month gap really what Nissan is aiming for?
I like Tesla, Nissan Leaf and Chevy Bolt. I leave and breath electric car with owning as I cannot afford Tesla. I leave in Australia. Current option 69K BMW i3 with 60Ah (Not 90Ah) or 127K TeslaS70. Secondhand Gen 1 leaf with 24KW battery (Build 2012) with 50K on odo with less 10 bar battery capacity asking for 26k-30K.
Very good review!! I think we can conclude that this version is not a the upgrade most Leaf owners were waiting for (not even those who still have 1st Gen): too much of the same (even the key fob is still the same...) after the introduction of the very first car, 7 years ago. I keep wondering if Nissan is really serious about electric cars... just as Renault only let the Zoë evolve and leaves the other model range on ICE.
There's a difference between an EV aficionado and a serial Leaf owner; the former want to be wowed with constant innovation, and the latter expect a better version of their car in each iteration. I think Nissan satisfied the latter and left those wanting far more out in the cold until next year, but it's filling in gaps in the market and making money, and so making sure it's going to be established in the coming revolution.
Hi Nikki Looks a good vehicle. I presume the UK MODEL is the Teknika, equivalent. Loving the review, Hopefully going to look at it at the Nissan Dealer in Chester.
bujin1977 Hi mate I really need to get down to the Nissan dealer, also still waiting for the VW dealer to get back to me and that’s been over 2 weeks now and the same with the Hyundai dealer in Cheshire Oaks, again 2 weeks ago. TBH it seems to me as if some of these dealers can’t be bothered organising or even trying to get you to have a test drive of an EV. I will email them all again through the relevant websites.
Toby Jackson just wish I had an assurance I could do 200 miles.id have happily took it in gonna wait till they come up with a longer range one. I hear Ioniq are working on a 200+ range model. I'm holding out.
Does this car have a way to stop charge at 80% ? We have a 2016 SL which does not. Living on a mountaintop we must have the ability to stop charge @ 80% so we have Regen breaking when we drive down the mountain to work in the morning. Also my family of tall teenagers (6ft) need rear seat headroom and heated seats. Also I'd like to hear about battery temperature control. Like you Nikki we are unhappy with battery degradation and it will affect our future purchases.
Carpenter Family no 80% limit but nissan add auto friction braking if you try to regen with a full battery ! The car has the same feeling at any state of charge.
Gilles Pelletier Thanks for reply and the auto-friction braking is cool. But I really want Regen. Plus my battery will be healthier if not charged past 80%. This seems like such a simple feature. I'm disappointed it wasn't added. Or at least the ability to have the car text me @ 80% so I'd know when to unplug it.
Oh Nikki how lovely. My wife and I purchased our 2017 Nissan leaf and have absolutely loved it. I was so surprised to hear you call Portland Oregon home! We are moving there from rural Florida, North of Tampa in just a couple weeks. I just love watching your show. You are inspiring and passionate. Bravo. Maybe one day our leaf cars can have an ev playdate. You have a great thing going. Keep up the good work.
I have this car in my garage and I love it. We are a family of 2 adults (retired) and a doggy named Bailey. This car doesn’t eat into our pension anymore and is just great for our occasional long trips. Good job Nissan. Now give it thermal battery management. “PLEASE”.
I've been driving a Leaf for 5.5 years now. I'm on my 3rd Leaf, not because of failures just upgrading. For the first 18 months I used the 110v 12 amp charger and had only 1 day a month where the rate was to slow. I then upgraded the charge cord to run on 220v @ 12 amp and used that until 6 months ago when I could finally afford a 30 amp charge station plus install. In Washington state the install of a EVSE is sales tax exempt by the way.
Great review. Much better than others I've watched. Thanks for going into the pro pilot since couldn't find a comprehensive review of this anywhere. Looks like it's not worth the upgrade for me.
Glad I got a volt rather than waiting. In the Premium package it has the combination of lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking that seems to match the leaf in Spec, but after this review, I think it might be a little more intuitive and might actually work better. No one-pedal though,
On the subject of Level 1: I've charged Level 1 every night for years. my commute is about 35 miles on a typical day (like most people in the US) and I never have a problem being full in the morning. Well, never after I discovered the charge settings on the Volt. It defaults to an 8A setting (about 1kw) for use on underpowered, shared, or weak wiring. On one hand it's a nuisance but on the other hand it could be great for emergency charging on an extension cord or in a random found plug that wasn't locked. Helpful, but not as helpful as the generator the car carries around with it.
So, Leaf 2.0, not really impressed. I do think that in a few years when a Nismo Leaf might come out, well, I would definitely want to have a look. For a more typical driver starting to look at EVs, it might be just the ticket. Having been around the EV world for a while now we have gotten spoiled by "wild styling" and "cutting edge tech" in each new EV release. We have to remember that what appeals to us today is definitely Not what the average car buyer is looking for. In order for EVs to achieve universal mass market acceptance they will have to be as normal as the new Leaf. I hope Nissan sells a million of 'em.
I have a red Tekna on order which should arrive in Barcelona in April. Only had a short test drive, but loved the car. Epedal was great! I liked the higher and comfortable seating position for driving. The safety features are going to be extremely useful. The cross traffic notifications when reversing out of parking spaces is a feature I need. The car I have has cruise control and makes for relaxed driving. It will be even better on long trips on a motorway to have the lane keeping and the adaptive/intelligent cruise.
I have been trying out trip planning in the apps for finding chargers. Mostly looking good here in Spain around the coast line. Not so good for getting from Barcelona to Madrid. There's one section with no chargers in the range of the vehicle.
I'm looking forward to the Apple CarPlay because my present car sucks in terms of telephony. I am wondering how the voice control built into the car works with the infotainment system in the 2018 Nissan Leaf. Something to play with when I get the car. Overall I reckon I will be happy with the car for a good few years and it is super the batteries have a good eight year warranty.
Well done with the review Nikki.
David Allen whats a tenka
Don't know about a tenka, but a Tekna is the top of the range model in Europe.
Very good review. The leaf maybe a little boring, but it has rock solid build quality and reliability. Yes even better cabin noise insulation than Tesla. It's all so 7 thousand less than a Bolt. Big plus in my opinion.
In my point of view the Bolt is not rival for the 60kWh liquid cooled Leaf variant.
Fictional car the 60kWh Leaf? It's confirmed by Nissan since the october 2017 japanese presentation of the New Leaf. It will launch this fall, LG Chem is already producing the battery packs for it.
N C
As you said there's no perfect option in this price range yet. So unless you really need a new car right now, it's worth waiting a year or two for the upcoming much better models. The Model 3 for example is in production, and the ramp up now seems to be on track too. So the only question is when they will start to offer the $35K version. Almost certainly this year.
@NC - Guess what - a Bolt/Ampera-E is a fictional thing outside of the US. GM sold Peugeot a bill of goods when it pulled out of Europe and then decided to hold back Bolts. We're never going to get them at this rate (and now likely South Korea - good going, GM..) so in the end, which is worse: A car that's not available in a market that it's intended for, or a car due into the market in 6-9 months? I'll take the latter and I'll have a 60kWh Leaf before the current people on the Bolt list (or Model 3) ever see theirs.
N C
There's no lottery, they are very clear about in what order they deliver the cars, and they even give you an ETA if you reserve one. The Model 3 is already the best selling EV on the market, even at this higher price. You can't get one only because the demand is huge. Which also shows that most people like the Model 3 way much better than the competition.
I have a 2011 Leaf and I love it. The doors are amazing as they open very wide. I have had the traction battery replaced just paying 20% of the battery cost. I have been through 3 12 volt batteries since 2013. It just that good but it is a city car and I live in a area that is 25 miles in either direction to go anywhere.
Most complete and incisive review I've seen. Great work. Thanks
First off I must say, Great Video, AWESOME REVIEW of the new 2018 Nissan LEAF...but why, WHY has Nissan made it so that the batteries are not interchangeable?! This just doesn't make sense...IF they truly are the same shape and size I would SO want to be able to swap out my 2017's battery once I've used every last "drop" out of it. From a technology standpoint and working in I.T. this doesn't seem impossible as the BMS would only need a SOFTWARE UPDATE and then BAM your older LEAF 2011~2017 can now enjoy the benefits of the 40kWh battery pack! I mean come on...if I can swap out 6 cell laptop batteries with 9 cells or larger and achieve longer run times with my laptop you would think one could do the same thing with their electric car!
You make a good point from a technological standpoint. However, at the moment you say "BAM !!" after having installed the upgraded battery pack, Nissan says " SHIT !! , we just lost another sale !!!" Nissan is in the business to sell you a new car, not keep their old cars on the road for 20 to 30 years. I am sure someone will get a wrecked 2018 Leaf and figure out how to squeeze the battery into an older model Leaf ( Car Guru, are you listening ?).
I liked the Leaf. Very comfortable. But, I am very leery of their battery degradation issue
Great job, Nikki! Thank you so much for the review!
I own a Chevy Bolt and came to the realization that all cars have really become expensive in America for some reason over the past decade. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my bolt but if it weren't for the tax credit and massive "Chevy" discount/bargaining (nobody ever pays full price on any GM product in the past century anyway), it would have been a horrible financial decision on my part for a local urban/suburban commuter car. Despite the "massive battery" on the Bolt, it is by no mean a road trip worthy car. You need to tap into the Tesla supercharger network if you want that infrastructure.
Personally I think Nissan did the right thing by making the LEAF cheaper. If people want to pay more for the extended range, they can charge a premium for that, similar to what Tesla is doing. The future is not here yet for the masses, but almost ...
I guess Nissan knows that without a network like the supercharger network, 150 mile range is plenty for a local car if charged every night like a cell phone. Nobody in his right mind would go on a road trip with it. I charge the bolt like twice a week and the rest of the time is just carrying around extra weight that I don't need, but deep inside, it makes me happy to know that I have extra range.
No intricate battery cooling with the LEAF? I guess technology is advancing so fast that cars are becoming cell phones, no more battery replacement, just upgrade to the new models every decade or so. Perhaps Nissan really knows what they're doing instead GM losing thousands per Bolt sold.
Isn't the tax credit basically useless for most consumers?
By the way, the supply voltage to domestic properties in the UK is still nominally 240 V AC at 50 Hz, although the declared voltage in the UK is now 230V
awesome review!
Bravo Nikki on your decision to not give Nissan any more of your money! I had rust issues with my Juke (which was discovered before the 5 year warranty) and they wouldn’t cover it....This whole battery thing smells like the same deal. Fool me once shame on Nissan....fool me twice shame on me! I always love your shows!
That's a brilliant review, probably the best of the new Leaf. Did a great and thorough job, thanks! :)
Thoroughly informative and enjoyable video. You guys are great!
I found that the lease cost in my area between a low end Leaf and an low end Bolt is about $4k for the 3 years. The 151 mile range will last me 2 weeks of normal commutes, so I'm saving the money. The hatch area also looks very small on the Bolt.
One thing to remember is that base price doesn't include a Quick Charger (Chademo) port, and it is $1590 to add it. For comparison, adding QC to a Bolt LT is $450. And at least for some areas, I'd consider the Heat Pump a requirement, adding cost. True, the Bolt doesn't have a Heat Pump option (Boo GM!!) but with the larger battery, you can just run the heater and not worry. ;-) (Although the Heat Pump doesn't help in really cold climates, so YMMV there.) When I configured a Leaf S with QC and Heat pump, I was actually really close to the price the local Chevy dealer was offering on a Bolt LT. I think I ended up paying under $2k more for the Bolt and it has more range. (I also got the heated seat package thrown in, as the one they had on the lot had that option. Told them I wouldn't pay extra for it, but if they wanted to include it.. So they did.) Now, this is not negative to the Leaf. I've driven the new Leaf. It's a GREAT CAR. Loved it. I just wanted more range and the pricing on the Bolt worked out. I think once Nissan gets into it and dealers start offering some discounts, it will be very appealing. Thought I posted this, but must not have clicked to save it or something. ;-)
You've presented the key features of this new model although I believe you've mixed up the trim level order which is S, SV, SL from base to premium. I've driven the Leaf since the 2014 model and see this new generation as a huge step forward simply on the basis of the additional range. My 82 mile round trip commute left me with having to search for fast-charge options at the end of the day if I needed to make added trips after work. Since purchasing the 2018 model that has become a thing of the past. The combination of not buying gas and avoiding the 16 mile toll charge (EV exempt) makes driving this car cheaper than my previous car which was paid off in full. As a commuter vehicle the 2018 Leaf range target is spot on.
I’ve test driven the 2018 Leaf, and I love it. I dearly wish I could afford to lease one right now, but at this point, I might be able to afford one once the 2019 models are ramping up on the production line.
Drove it yesterday,thought it was an excellent car....great ride and good performance
Thanks for uploading it again.
A very fair review. I've just bought an ex-UK second hand Nissan Leaf 2018 here in NZ. It's just done 4.5 k and is much cheaper than new, and much much cheaper than new rivals and which aren't even available. . The only obvious rival is the new MG EV, which looks very good value but I was a bit uncertain about committing to a new brand with no dealership at all in most of this country. Whilst the battery technology might be a bit suspect, the rest of the car has been noted for its reliability. Not like Tesla, which I definitely wouldn't buy, high insurance, expensive repairs and suspect quality issues. .
It certainly isn't perfect. The interior has had some very peculiar features ,The buttresses along the centre console are stupid. The driver's seat will adjust and rise a bit and give room for a passenger's feet behind, but not the front passenger seat - I might see if a service centre could raise this seat a bit, it's just got four bolts to hold it, as far as I can see and could be adjusted.. The cubbyhole of the centre console is tiny. No USB at the back. The folding arrangement of the rear seats is primitive, it would not have been difficult to have the front of the squab to fold forward and the backrest to fold down in front of it, and release a nearly flat floor at the back (I have a Honda Jazz which is brilliant with its "magic seats" ) The front head rests just protrude too far forward for complete comfort. OTH the car is just so comfortable and easy to drive. Almost silent. Nikki may not be impressed by its acceleration but I am, it's effortless and effective.
Long distances are an issue in NZ, our charging network is meagre to say the least. We desperately need the government to step in and take some active measures to increase the number of fast chargers by two to three times and then to keep up with the increasing number of EVs in this country (the majority are second-hand ex-Japan Nissan Leafs) This would be much more appropriate than subsidising the cars.
Thanks for a very in depth review! Hello from Canada!
In Canada we get more standard equipment on the S model including the dual charge cable and heated rear seats.Even the Bolt in Canada has the quick charger as standard.
Great review. The pro pilot won't work in the rain - poor weather conditions are always when you need assistance most and in the UK it is wet quite a lot of the time. I am still a little concerned that they don't have any active battery management and the base model having a resistive heater. When a larger battery is available it will be much more compelling but they key then will be how expensive it will be. I noticed a Leaf advert in the UK hardly mentioned it was electric. I am sure it is still pretty quick off the mark compared with a normal hatchback (you would have to thrash an ICE car to keep up with it up to 50 mph).
As a tall person (I'm 6'-4"), I cannot fit comfortably in the new Leaf - the center console rim flares out, and jabs against my leg right below my knee.
And while the backseat has a bit better legroom vs the original, it lost headroom, and I hit my head on the headliner.
So, it is a non-starter for my family.
As someone who's been electrocuted by everything from a wall and dryer outlet to a downed power drop (the lines going from the power pole to your house, i.e. two lines of 115v ac and a neutral) I can say that people are WAY to afraid of electricity. Yes it hurts and yes it can be dangerous, but it's not the insta-death that most people think it is. You get zapped with more voltage every time you get a static electricity shock than you ever would from an outlet.
I always understood "electrocution" to mean "killed by electric shock", so I'm surprised that you and Nikki claim to have experienced it. Apparently though, the British definition allows for "killed OR INJURED" by electric shock; oh well. What is or isn't lethal varies a great deal by situation, as it depends on the path the current takes through the body. If it goes through the parts that have to do with regulating the heart, it's way more serious than if it just goes from one finger to another on the same hand. As an extreme example of "sometimes even just a few volts can kill ya", I was told in one of my EE college classes of an unfortunate worker in an electroplating plant who, while standing in a plating tank, tried to pull himself out by grabbing the big copper bus bar that the anode plates would be hung on. There were only three to five volts on the bar, but the worker was soaked to his shins in high-conductivity, grounded electrolyte, and the current path was from hands to feet. He cooked.
As someone who has worked in electronics for 30 years and has been zapped numerous times. You are not correct. Static electricity has no current. You are giving people the false impression that being electrocuted is no big deal. This false assumption can be deadly. 110v or 220v can easily kill you if you provide a good ground path for the electricity. It only takes a few milliamps of current across your heart to stop it. If you are standing in water, have wet hands or have one hand on a grounded pipe and touch the other to 110v, you will be dead. 110v circuit breakers normally trip at 15 to 20 AMPS, so the few milliamps (1000 times less) that run through you to stop your heart will not even be noticed by them. People die all the time from 110v or 220v. How lucky do you feel today?
Levenkay - just a side note, but I'm British, and I've *always* taken 'electrocution' to mean death (electricity + execution). I was surprised to hear Nikki use the word. It might be a generational thing, as I'm older.
Particularly nice work on this piece. Thank you.
Also what I find funny is that many people assume that the pro pilot assist works in every occasion. I've driven 2 and the pro pilot assist doesn't work in the rain.
FINALLY!!!! Thank you so much Nikki! I have been waiting for this review from you! I do admit I have test driven both the Chevy Bolt and the Nissan Leaf and since I don't own any of them just yet what I like about the Chevy Bolt is literally just how fast it is and the big screen in the center and how much passenger space there is inside. Other than that though I loved everything else in the Nissan Leaf over the Chevy Bolt I kind of feel for once this review is a little biased since you own a Chevy Bolt. The Chevy Bolt cargo area is a joke to me but right now money talks, so whatever car gives me the better deal I may have to go with that one. Currently people are saying the dealerships are not offering great deals for the Leaf which makes sense since it is new but c'mon it is supposed to be cheaper!
very well done with the review.
the content is clear
comparison is fair (im a tesla fan but every car cant and should not be measured with tesla
options)
good sounds (mics)
good music
overall one of the best reviews I ever seen. (ex: nobody talked about Ebrake during different conditions)
Already had a test drive and it was fab. Going to exchange my 2014 leaf for this. Going from a frog to a tiger. Grrrr.
Very good unbiased review of the 2018 Leaf if not 'The best', sadly the lease/PCP deals were just too expensive for me here in the UK. I'm hoping to get hold of a used Leaf in the coming years.
Does the new Leaf have a boot, what is the leg space like in the back? I was expecting an in depth review. It took 20 mins to get through the pre-release the e-pedal and propilot press material and B-roll to get to driving experience. I was starting to forget which colour car you were actually driving. So it's not a Tesla or Bolt/volt - sounds like it has been dumbed down for US roads. Fortunately there are other reviews out there more suited to a european driving experience where model 3s and Chevrolets are not sold. Are you certain the 2018 leaf is cheaper than the 30KWh, over here like for like trim levels are more expensive, to go cheaper you have to accept the new base model that is equivalent to the earliest leaf.
Really like that review. Great job Nikki
My leaf is being delivered 7th March here in the UK found out I would have been the first person in Europe as I put down the deposit 1st but had to cancel and then reorder grrr some laws in the UK concerning taxi! ;)
i watched it for some time for the main features like Range, Battery Pack etc. Had to search - keep skipping the video to get to that point.
Very good review... thank you! Can you comment on the comfort level of the 2018 Leaf vs. the Chevy Bolt?... noise level, seating position, interior room.
We have tested Ampera-E i Norway on 100 kW fastcharger, it do not go above 60 kW. Sorry GM is very cautious With charging speed as you probably know Nikki
What about the Hyundai Ioniq EV? Isn't it a similar in-betweener price & rangewise? And it came out one year before this 2nd gen Leaf
The Ioniq is (at least right now) inferior in range, power and in systems like ProPilot or Vehicle to Grid that the Leaf has, also the last has a more polished powertrain too among other things.
Boo for your comment that everyone needs L2 charging at home. I consistently drive less than 20 miles per day, so L1 works perfectly for me. If I had a long range Leaf, I would be fine for a longer weekend trip because my “tank” would still be mostly full Friday night when I come home and completely full by 8am Saturday.
That said, thanks for the review.
Folks hoping to hook of rapid charging most of the time on uk electric highway connection at 50kw once past 83% it slows to 7-8kw max, a full charge at a typical 40kw for a busy service area you will expect a full from 6% will take 1h 25mins, in eco at 70mph at 5c I averaged a full battery was 128 miles, town speeds this improved quite a bit, if using epedel at 30-40mph stop start conditions expect 160 miles, in real world
Thanks for your excellent in-depth video, Nikki! Very informative. I am rather liking this car, especially the e-pedal feature. Looks to be a solid, good, middle- of- the- road family car.
Fantastic review Nikki !!!
Meet some 1st gen leaf owners at the EV test drive center a couple weeks ago - they said the same thing about their current leaf which they were looking to replace as the range was just too low now with the battery degrading. They were looking at the bolt - I ordered a Bolt last week!
Cheers
Why a Bolt and not a Leaf?
I really like this new Leaf. I’m looking forward to getting one after I finish paying off my 2015. Guess I’m a family hatchback kind of person. Like having space for my dog in the back, etc. The Model 3 is not for me. I know myself well enough to know that the large center screen would bother me.
Quite agree with you Nikki, cars don't have to be exciting. You only use them for 5-10% of your day. They are a means of getting from A to B.
Great review, but having driven a Leaf for 5 years now, I think the elephant in the room is that lack of a battery TMS. Nissans batteries degrade because of it and the warrenty is pitiful. I don’t think anyone should consider this car until and if the 2019 Leaf adds a way to control the battery loss better.
Nice work Nikki. This is the review I was waiting to see. Despite not being overly favourable, your review will put buyers in the right frame of mind to be able to make a sensible decision about the car. As an Australian, I think we would rather be told "It's a bit shit, but it does most of what they say". Much better than having a salesperson spruik it up, only leading to disappointment and buyer's remorse. Having owned and loved the early model Leaf, I've been anticipating the arrival of the new model. I'll still be looking to buy the new model when they finally arrive in the EV backwater that we live in here. I'll keep your opinions in mind though, when making my decision. Auto makers keep promising better EV's here, but they have been slow to arrive.
Thanks for the honest commentaries on the new leaf
Hey Nikki, when you pronounce CHAdeMO as Cha'Day'Mo is that how they say it in Japan? are we Brits making it up again the way we pronouncing it here in the UK?
Fantastic review!!!
Do the cameras double up as dash cams? (if not could Nissan provide a firmware update to do so?)
Very good review. Thanks!
Great video! Thank you!
You could also wait for the leaf e-plus,that should be zippier with its 200+ hp and 60 kWh battery.
I am thinking about purchasing a used Nissan Leaf. Is a 2012 to far back and if not how many mile should I say no too?
Nissan WHAT in 2018 no steering wheel forward & back adjustment, that a big mistake. .
Actually, while I'm all-in on the Leaf, this does irritate me.
That and the fact that they force you to upgrade to SV trim for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. I bought the SV for those two and the power driver seat.
I think most people think every one drives just like they do, they don't want a short range car so therefore, no one does. Take me for example. I am retired and drive on average, 181 miles per month mostly on 5 miles or less trips for shopping, Dr. visits, drugstore, so on. Do I need a car that gets 300 miles on a charge, no way. I have a suv in perfect running shape that should last years except this kind of driving is the worst for an ICE. Having a Nissan leaf as a second car makes absolutely perfect sense for people like me. Drive it for all my short hops around town which are bad for the suv, and use the suv for long trips. I have not taken a trip over 120 miles round trip since 2010. One could argue that I should get a Leaf, sell my suv, and rent a suv if I decide to go on a trip. A lot of retirees and elderly fit the demographic I do. The stumbling block may be other people don't yet trust an electric car. I have absolutely no need for a Tesla, although my mouth waters every time I see one.
Super, vel været å venta på Dykk vært berre bedre og bedre på å lage videoer, fantastisk Musik. Leaf står no på lista mi ...Tusen takk...
PLEASE DON'T! say ALEXA! ...............say lady A maybe! .............sorry English is my only language but i'm not good at writing in it. This is the most comrehensive review yet; Thank you,
I do like this new leaf, definitely considering it as my next car however I’m interested to see what the Nismo leaf specs are first.
Thank you for pointing out that patents shouldn't spy on their kids. Trust is far more foolproof than gps (My daughter is 10 and knows that she can come to me with anything and I'm going to handle it calmly and rationally). My parents did the same thing until I was 15 (after that, I started keeping things from then).
My sister and I knew that if we were drunk at a party, we'd be picked up without consequences. Because is that, my sister and her friends were never behind the wheel drunk or even bordering tipsy (I rarely drank, except occasionally at home).
Tracking and snooping indicates a failure to raise your kids properly and a poor relationship with your kids.
God luck with the teen years, I'm scared out of my mind and mine is in 4th grade.
In all these reviews, no one has asked Nissan if it is going to get Over The Air software updates to improve the telematics and the ProPilot.
I will order a new car now but I cannot select between Leaf 2 or Ioniq. Leaf have a bigger battery but I have gotten the impression from UA-cam that the Ioniq has longer range when cold and when driving far on motorways probably due to activa battery temoerature management. The Ioniq is also preperared for above 50kW charging and Leaf is not according to specs. Or... what did Nicki mension 150 kW...?
Okay quick question 2018 Nissan Leaf or 2018 Hyundai ioniq Electric?
Toby Jackson I have the ionic on order should be here in a month I'm just more concerned about quality
It’s ok, but not blown away because of the battery control or lack thereof. I gave a 2016 SV which left me 2ith 3
I wonder how much this car shares with the recent higher power Zoe (110ps vs 90)?
This really is the "affordable EV". Nissan had to build it to a specific price point but it makes EV ownership a reality for many more people. The bigger battery car is coming out next year anyway so the customer demographic will continue to expand.
Karl P it’s not a lot cheaper then the model 3 base model, but until the model 3 is available everywhere then yeah it’s probably the best affordable option.
Loui Coleman. The 35K M3 is a myth. You can't get one under 57K.
Karl P, you can. Just not now. The base model Model 3 would compete with a 2019 Leaf with some options. Although pricing and range seems similar, they are a myriad of features different from each other.
Marvincent Acuña. There is no such "thing' as a base Model 3. It is an aspiration of one Elon Musk. It does not exist in reality .
Karl P, it exists in reality. Just order one.
It's basically like the Model S 40. It exists because some people bought them.
I think that if these videos were more concise then they would appeal towards other audiences as these videos do take a lot of time to watch.
Great review Nikki, thanks.
Don't think I will be going for the Pro Pilot though.Sounds like it basically doesn't work unless perfect conditions.
Adaptive CC will do me fine.
Great EV. I think they'll have trouble producing enough batteries to be honest!
how long is the charging cable for a home charger?
They could easily fit that new battery into the old leaf. Software tweak and hey presto. But then nobody would buy the new one.
Hi
Is it as big as the last model (3 children seats at the back)?
Thank you for a great review. On the battery upgrade path, people in Ukraine have been squeezing new 30 kWh batteries into older pre 2015 Leafs for a while, no issues with this, there are some how to videos on UA-cam. Some battery management equipment should be upgraded for this purpose, but that’s easy and cheap. So if the form factor of the 40 kWh pack is the same, they will do the same once we have pre-owned 2018 Leafs here, I assume.
A question I have, any plans from Nissan to introduce a thermal management system for their car? According to the mynissanleaf forums 30 kWh packs are notoriously bad in terms of capacity loss (people get 91-93 SOH from dealers, and there lots of one and two bar losers already despite Nissan’s change of the first bar value from 85% to 79-80% SOH), I think things may be even worse with the new more dense 40 kWh battery in this department if there’s no active battery cooling and heating.
How is the driving comfort versus the Bolt?
Obviously late to the party commenting on this video, but I wanted to pick up in that 1% of journeys where a Leaf might not be practical. At least in the UK and I imagine in other markets, Nissan will lend you an ICE vehicle for up to 2 weeks within the first few years of owning your Leaf.
Why is there no mention of Rapidgate?... (Looks at the date.) Oh! That's why. This review was done before we knew about rapidgate.
Have just returned from a test drive with my local dealer. What a disappointment, the dealer, not the car! I was given a 20 minute test drive with the salesman sitting in the back. No attempt to show or explain any features. He seemed to have no interest in selling or promoting the Leaf and was uncertain of the controls and displays. However, in spite of that, I was able to form an opinion of the Leaf. The ride was comfortable, but wind/road noise was very noticeable above 50 on the motorway. Handling was not tight but cornered OK. Overall, I felt the Leaf was competent but not exceptional. I plan to test drive the new Zoe with the next few weeks.
It sounds like nothing has changed. I bought a used Leaf a few years ago and the whole dealer experience was catastrophically bad. Enough to put me off buying another car from them.
GOOD REVIEW & GREAT NISSAN.
When you say boring, is that compared to the original Leaf or other cars out now? I for one found the original Leaf to be quick (compared to my ICE car now). So is the acceleration dumbed down vs the original also? It's faster 0-60 apparently so how can it be?
iKaGe01 Once you try anything faster you might find your perspective changes. You might think your Leaf is quick untill you try a car that is actually quick.
OÚ have used same music as Björn Nyland in his road trip videos... :-)
Great review
Best LEAF review so far.
Do the brake lights come on with one pedal operation?
Yes the brake lights do come on with the ePedal use.
What about the very low adjusted headrests. This doesn`t look save to me.
Looks very good , specially in white
I don't get it. If you spec up the Leaf to equivalent of the basic model 3, the price difference will be very small. And the Model 3 has more power and range. I understand that the basic Model 3 won't be available for like 10 months but is this 10 month gap really what Nissan is aiming for?
Ricardo Micai compete with the Hyundai Ioniq Electric, VW EGolf, BMW i3, Renault Zoe, etc.
The Model 3 doesn't have that much more range or power than the 60kWh Leaf variant, they're in the same category on those aspects.
I like Tesla, Nissan Leaf and Chevy Bolt. I leave and breath electric car with owning as I cannot afford Tesla. I leave in Australia. Current option 69K BMW i3 with 60Ah (Not 90Ah) or 127K TeslaS70. Secondhand Gen 1 leaf with 24KW battery (Build 2012) with 50K on odo with less 10 bar battery capacity asking for 26k-30K.
nice review
Very good review!! I think we can conclude that this version is not a the upgrade most Leaf owners were waiting for (not even those who still have 1st Gen): too much of the same (even the key fob is still the same...) after the introduction of the very first car, 7 years ago. I keep wondering if Nissan is really serious about electric cars... just as Renault only let the Zoë evolve and leaves the other model range on ICE.
Why it's not the upgrade old Leaf owners want? I think it ticks a lot of boxes.
There's a difference between an EV aficionado and a serial Leaf owner; the former want to be wowed with constant innovation, and the latter expect a better version of their car in each iteration. I think Nissan satisfied the latter and left those wanting far more out in the cold until next year, but it's filling in gaps in the market and making money, and so making sure it's going to be established in the coming revolution.
The key fob? Seriously?
Are you sure on the 150kw Chademo charging ? I thought the new Leaf is limited to 50kw charging ??
It's expected that the 60kWh variant has a 100/150kWh onboard charger.
Hi Nikki
Looks a good vehicle. I presume the UK MODEL is the Teknika, equivalent. Loving the review, Hopefully going to look at it at the Nissan Dealer in Chester.
Jason - I'd be interested in hearing of your experience. I'm just down the road in Wrexham and am considering doing the same.
bujin1977
Hi mate
I really need to get down to the Nissan dealer, also still waiting for the VW dealer to get back to me and that’s been over 2 weeks now and the same with the Hyundai dealer in Cheshire Oaks, again 2 weeks ago.
TBH it seems to me as if some of these dealers can’t be bothered organising or even trying to get you to have a test drive of an EV. I will email them all again through the relevant websites.
call wylam garage in hexham family own ---100% service
I do feel that the leaf will be more interesting a purchase in 2020; any tidbits on this?
Not in 2020 but sooner in 2019 with the 60kWh variant available.
would love to see a range depletion test. anyone know how much miles you get in real world.
Toby Jackson just wish I had an assurance I could do 200 miles.id have happily took it in gonna wait till they come up with a longer range one. I hear Ioniq are working on a 200+ range model. I'm holding out.
Does this car have a way to stop charge at 80% ?
We have a 2016 SL which does not. Living on a mountaintop we must have the ability to stop charge @ 80% so we have Regen breaking when we drive down the mountain to work in the morning.
Also my family of tall teenagers (6ft) need rear seat headroom and heated seats.
Also I'd like to hear about battery temperature control. Like you Nikki we are unhappy with battery degradation and it will affect our future purchases.
Carpenter Family no 80% limit but nissan add auto friction braking if you try to regen with a full battery !
The car has the same feeling at any state of charge.
Gilles Pelletier Thanks for reply and the auto-friction braking is cool. But I really want Regen. Plus my battery will be healthier if not charged past 80%. This seems like such a simple feature. I'm disappointed it wasn't added. Or at least the ability to have the car text me @ 80% so I'd know when to unplug it.
Thanks Nikki best review I've seen of the Leaf II