The third-generation Nissan Leaf takes a bold direction, repurposed as a crossover with coupé styling, in an effort to appeal to buyers in a market with increasing competition.
The Nissan Leaf has already carved out a legacy in Europe’s automotive market as one of the first mass-produced battery-electric vehicles (BEVs).
A New Direction
The latest Nissan Leaf is a far cry from the one that landed in the C-segment in 2010, with a repositioning as a crossover with a coupé-like body design.
This re-imagining has helped to refresh the model’s appeal, moving it into a world of sleek and modern styling, similar to that of the Nissan Ariya.
The new car measures 4.35 metres long, shorter than its predecessor, but with a change in body design that comes as the Japanese carmaker revives the smaller Micra.
Design Philosophy
The design philosophy is similar to that of the Nissan Ariya, with a long LED-bar lighting profile sweeping down each side of the ‘grill’ to provide a distinctive silhouette.
The large, illuminated manufacturer’s badge breaks up what is otherwise a minimalist front end, with a blend of sharp angles and curves.
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The lower part of the front end forgoes any colour coding, which does stand out with lighter colour choices, and the rounded roof is designed to help reduce drag as it slants towards the rear.
The coupé lines end in an upward flick, as the 3D lights add another smart design touch, although the lack of a rear LED bar does remove any symmetry between the front and back of the car.
Interior and Features
The Nissan Leaf’s minimalistic approach continues inside the cabin, with two 14.3-inch touchscreens relaying information, and Google integration built in for more efficient mapping and software access.
There is also an array of physical buttons, mixed with touch-sensitive controls and touchscreen options, although the automatic gear selection is made using buttons rather than a dedicated lever or switch.
The boot provides ample storage, at 437 litres, although it does fall short of some competitors, and the car does have a split floor, meaning cables can be tucked away with ease.
They are offered with two battery options: a 52kWh or a 75kWh unit, with the smaller unit offering a range of over 440km, and the larger one can go up to 622km, based on WLTP figures.
Performance and Handling
Nissan’s efforts have highlighted that rather than looking to its past, the Leaf is now positioned for the future, and its capabilities can be viewed in the interactive dashboard, which benchmarks the Nissan Leaf in France, where electric cars are gaining popularity, Germany, Spain, and the UK.