The Nissan Leaf Went From Pioneer to Afterthought, Then Started Over Completely
Both reviews frame this as a genuine reset rather than an update: the car that launched the mainstream EV market had fallen badly behind, and this third generation abandons the old formula almost entirely to catch back up.
The Original EV Pioneer, Playing Catch-Up
This nameplate turned the automotive world upside down when it first launched, proving electric cars didn't need to be expensive, inefficient or strange-looking. Reviewers keep noting just how far behind it had fallen since — and how dramatically this new generation tries to close that gap.
Specs at a Glance
| Body style | Electric crossover (previously a hatchback) |
|---|---|
| Battery options | 52kWh (174bhp) or 75kWh (215bhp) |
| Claimed range | 271 miles (52kWh) to 386 miles (75kWh) |
| Charging | Up to 150kW (75kWh version), 20-80% in under 30 minutes on both |
| Boot space | 437 litres with under-floor storage |
Full Review Summary
EV Powered
EV Powered detailed the dramatic shift from hatchback to crossover body style, built at the same Sunderland factory as before and sharing its platform with the well-regarded Renault Scenic E-Tech. They praised distinctive rear light detailing referencing Japanese numerals and the Nissan 300ZX, and found the dual 14.3-inch display setup functions without lag despite not having the sharpest graphics, running on Google-based Android Automotive. Their clearest criticism was an in-headrest speaker for voice-guidance callouts, rated as a genuine distraction that's easy to trigger accidentally, though simple to disable via a shortcut.
CAR Magazine
CAR Magazine's test concluded this generation has genuinely found its mojo again after years of falling behind newer rivals, praising the combination of longer range, sharper styling and substantially improved technology. They rated pricing from around £33,000 as competitive for what's now on offer, and found the new crossover body style a sensible response to the market's broader shift away from traditional hatchbacks.
Strengths
- Dramatically improved range and charging speed over previous generations
- Distinctive, well-resolved styling with genuine visual identity
- Competitive pricing for the specification on offer
- Practical boot with clever two-tier storage
Weak points
- In-headrest voice-guidance speaker is a genuine distraction until disabled
- Touchscreen graphics aren't the sharpest in the class
- Complete body-style change may not suit buyers who wanted a traditional hatchback
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers who want a genuinely competitive, well-priced electric crossover and don't mind the shift away from the previous hatchback format. The 75kWh version is worth the step up for anyone regularly covering longer distances.