The New Nissan Leaf Still Isn't Cheap, But It's Much Better Value

Prices have been announced for Nissan's new electric hatchback, and in amongst all the changes it's clear that buyers will get a lot more for their money this time
The New Nissan Leaf Still Isn't Cheap, But It's Much Better Value

Prices have been announced for the all-new Nissan Leaf, and it’s good news for EV buyers. Since battery power is the way things are going, we feel pretty much duty-bound to tell you about it.

While the entry point has risen by £310, to £21,990 after government grants, the basic model now has a 40kWh battery instead of a measly 24kWh one. The new car, says the (frankly useless) NEDC test cycle, boasts a 50 per cent range increase on the old one. We’d like to see a WLTP figure for both.

That larger battery also gives more power. A heady 148bhp is on tap, although the instant nature of EV torque delivery will make it feel faster than it is.

The New Nissan Leaf Still Isn't Cheap, But It's Much Better Value

At a current typical benchmark electricity price, recharging from dead flat at home would cost around £5.60 for the claimed 235-mile range. That’s equivalent to something like 200mpg at current fuel prices. An Economy 7 electricity tariff could cut an overnight charging bill right down, pushing your daytime usage charges up instead.

More and higher trim levels reflect the anticipated explosion in sales this time around, as people search for a socially fashionable way out of their diesel cars. At £21,990, basic Visia spec roughly matches a 1.5-litre TSI EVO Volkswagen Golf in SE Navigation trim.

The Leaf being built in Sunderland for European customers
The Leaf being built in Sunderland for European customers

Acenta, which is actually £1500 cheaper than the equivalent trim grade it replaces, comes next at £24,290. The there’s N-Connecta at £25,990, the 1500-unit limited edition called 2.Zero, and the range-topping Tekna at £27,490. All prices include the government’s £4500 discount.

More than 10,000 have been pre-ordered across Europe. UK deliveries for the Sunderland-built car will start in February. The Leaf escapes the London Congestion Charge and qualifies for free public parking in a small number of towns and cities. Do we want one? Not yet. It’s not that we don’t like the Leaf or appreciate its strengths; it’s just not for us.

Comments

DL🏁

I don’t want one, but I’m genuinely glad it’s there. Hating on it makes no sense: I’d rather people who aren’t into cats get a good EV like this rather than a diesel SUV that pollutes our cities and the nature. Admittedly, there is a long way to go before our electricity and battery production is clean, but it’s a step forward. People who aren’t into cars should be driving EVs.

01/02/2018 - 11:19 |
59 | 2

Fully agree with this, I feel that ICE vehicles will have a place in the future for the enthusiast if we can adopt this mindset.

01/02/2018 - 11:46 |
19 | 1

Dare i say it… i’d happily have an EV. If the ranges were nearer to the average hatch (circa 3-400 miles therabouts) and charging points at places of work, i could use the EV for the daily grind and have a bit more cash available to enjoy the FD

01/02/2018 - 12:17 |
8 | 1

I don’t think anyone wants one

01/02/2018 - 12:22 |
2 | 5
Anonymous

What a shocking value.
I’m here all night, folks.

01/02/2018 - 11:27 |
2 | 1
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Please leaf.

01/02/2018 - 12:04 |
5 | 1
TheBagel

Don’t want one anyways

01/02/2018 - 11:29 |
1 | 0
Benji Gahleitner

I’m glad that it finally looks like a normal hatchback and not like a funky, “Look at me, I’m saving the world”, car.

01/02/2018 - 12:05 |
14 | 1

Yea I much prefer these kinds of EVs, as opposed to Teslas which are just playthings for the rich the way they’re priced.

01/02/2018 - 15:26 |
1 | 0

Imagine if they sell a 2 door version, that would look sick.

01/02/2018 - 17:35 |
0 | 0

To be fair, I think the old leaf looked pretty normal, it was just a bit ugly. Looks a bit like the old (old Micra) but bigger.

01/03/2018 - 01:48 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

[DELETED]

01/02/2018 - 12:36 |
1 | 0
Anonymous

As somebody who prefers Tesla for EVs, I had to say, Nissan have did a very good job on making the Leaf.

01/02/2018 - 12:39 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

And as for all those poor people who have paid the deposit on their model 3 and are still waiting………
Could have had Nissan build quality and dealer support instead!

01/03/2018 - 21:23 |
2 | 0
lukalukic1

How much does it cost in €?

01/02/2018 - 12:47 |
0 | 0

[DELETED]

01/02/2018 - 13:11 |
0 | 0
Jakob

It finally looks decent now. Who would have thought that you can make an electric car that doesn’t looks like a starship with Down syndrome?

01/02/2018 - 13:15 |
8 | 1
Anonymous

In reply to by Jakob

[DELETED]

01/02/2018 - 14:01 |
0 | 0
HAYABUSA

In reply to by Jakob

Oh god my sides 😂

01/02/2018 - 23:08 |
0 | 0
Jopel

People who hate on electric cars must be the equivalent of when cars replaced horses, didn’t like change but change can be good, look how far cars have come since the days of the model T, look how good electric cars can potentially be in the next 10-20 years with how fast technology moves these days

01/02/2018 - 14:31 |
1 | 1
Anonymous

In reply to by Jopel

Well, the EV car is’nt as good as an equivalent ICE car.

01/02/2018 - 21:13 |
0 | 0
Seth 3

I love it<3

01/02/2018 - 14:40 |
1 | 0

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