Used Nissan Leaf 2011-2018 review

We can say the future’s electric, but that future really started to arrive in 2011. That was when Nissan first offered the Leaf in the UK. It was not only one of the first large volume electric cars to go on sale, but also, by dint of being a family-car-sized hatchback.

For a first-generation electric car, most models have a pretty useful range, too, although the later 30kWh model that was introduced during the 2016 refresh is considerably better than the early 24kWh Leaf. As with all electric cars, battery range is dependent on a number of factors, including how the car is used and even the weather, so you may not match the official figures in everyday use. Ideally, you will need some off-street parking or dedicated space to charge the car overnight, too. Otherwise, you'll have to rely on the public charging network, and this might not fit into everybody's daily routine.

There is a further factor to consider when purchasing a Leaf, new or used, and that is whether its battery is included in the cost of the car or whether it’s leased separately for a monthly sum. Battery life is ultimately limited and how long it lasts can also vary according to use. Leasing means not having to worry about the cost of replacing the battery.

Those points are worth considering before you decide whether an electric car fits into your lifestyle. If it does, the Leaf must be considered one of the very best of them. It’s quiet, comfortable, and good to drive. Pre-2013 examples have a more supple ride around town, while Leafs built after this date have slightly firmer suspension setup to improve stability at motorway speeds.

Equipment levels are generous, though; even an entry-level Leaf Visia comes with a fair amount of standard features, including climate control, Bluetooth, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, all-round electric windows, a height-adjustable driver’s seat and keyless start and go.

For a more rounded specification, we’d recommend the Acenta trim if you can find one. It adds cruise control, power-fold door mirrors, a driver’s armrest and automatic lights and wipers. You also get better infotainment with sat-nav and Nissan Connect EV, as well as plusher interior trim.

The top-spec Tekna grade features lots of toys, but it commands a hefty price, even in a used example. Only those really keen on having every last piece of kit, such as the high-end Bose audio system and heated leather seats all round, should opt for this.

The changes made in 2013 also extended to the interior because you could specify a matt black dashboard, which wouldn't reflect sunlight as much as the earlier cream one, which tended to also look grubby unless you kept a fastidious cleaning regime. Space is par for the family car course upfront, but the steering wheel only adjusts up and down, so some may not find a comfortable driving position. Six-footers can fit in the back, but the boot is on the small side for a family car, and it has a high lip to lift items over.

If you're interested in finding a used Leaf, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

A good example of the Leaf will start at about £5000, at the time of writing for a 2011 car. Upping your budget to between £6500 to £7000 will net you a 2013 car, while the improved 30kWh battery pack-equipped version starts from £10,000. That is the least you'll need to buy a late 2017 car as well.

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Find a used Nissan Leaf for sale here

MPG

One of the major positives of electric cars is that they cost considerably less than petrol or diesel vehicles to run. Choose an economy tariff and charge your electric car up overnight, and your bills will be a fraction of what they would be for a conventionally powered car on a cost-per-mile basis.

The 24kWh model has a claimed maximum range of up to 124 miles, further improved in 2016 with the launch of a 30kWh version that ups the figure to 155 miles.

There is a flap on the Leaf’s nose that hides the charging socket, or sockets, depending upon whether or not your Leaf has fast or rapid charging capabilities. To fully charge from flat, the smaller 24kWh battery takes 11 hours from a domestic plug socket; eight hours from a 3.3kW wall box, or four and a half hours from a faster 7.kW wall box. A 50kW rapid charge point with a CHAdeMo plug can get the battery from empty to an 80% charge in around half an hour.

The bigger 30kWh pack takes longer because it has more cells to charge. A 0-80% 50kW rapid charge still takes 30 minutes, but you'll be waiting 13 hours from a domestic socket; nine hours from a 3.3kW box, or five hours from a 7kW wall box.

Find out more about the different types of electric car charging plugs here.

CO2 emissions

Since this is an electric car, there are no exhaust pipe emissions to have to worry about.

Road tax (VED)

Annual car tax will be zero, as will be the London Congestion Charge (after you've paid to register your car on their system, of course). To find out more about the current road tax costs, click here.

Servicing

Servicing is required every 18,000 miles and costs £159 for a minor service, and £209 for a major one.

Insurance

Depending upon which specification you go for, the Leaf sits in groups 18-20 for insurance, which are lower than the Volkswagen e-Golf, BMW i3, Kia e-Niro and Hyundai Kona; but R110 models of the Renault Zoe are lower still.

Find out more about electric car insurance by reading our news story here.

Engine

Both versions of the Leaf offer the same perfectly adequate straight-line performance, but 30kWh examples have a far greater maximum range than the 24kWh car. The bigger battery is worth having if you can afford it, because it'll take you 100-120 miles per full-charge.

Specification

Since you can't have the bigger of the two battery options with entry-level Visia trim, we'd go for the mid-range Acenta; this comes with plenty of equipment and isn't as expensive as top-tier Tekna.

Our favourite Nissan Leaf 30kWh Acenta

The smaller Renault Zoe is a great electric car. Lease its battery and it makes a great used purchase and is exceptionally cheap to buy and run. It’s quiet and easy to drive, and its range is excellent. It didn’t fare as well as the Leaf in our last reliability survey, however.

One premium alternative is the Volkswagen e-Golf. VW says it has a battery range of 186 miles, but admits that’ll drop to around 125 miles in the real world. You can charge it through a three-pin plug, too, although it’ll take 13 hours for a full charge. It takes four hours for a full charge via a dedicated quick charger. It’s great to drive, but it is pricey.

So is the other premium electric car, the BMW i3, but it's undoubtedly very luxurious. The i3 uses state-of-the-art production techniques to offset its weight and offers a range of around 124 miles. You can even choose a range-extender option that incorporates a tiny petrol engine to top-up the battery pack when charge (and range) run low.

The first-generation Kia Soul EV is a funky-looking car that combines an instant hit of torque from its electric motor with the ability to cruise happily on the motorway at 70mph. However, its realistic range is very short at around 70 miles, and it’s not the most comfortable, especially on a bumpy road. An all-new version, utilising the technology from its sibling, the e-Niro, is now available, and this has a far longer range, in the region of 250 miles.

If you're interested in finding a used Leaf, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

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