Nissan LEAF 2012 Review
Nissan's all-electric commuter is a capable and refined package ideally suited to inner-urban commutingWhat we liked:
>> Refined driveline
>> High-tech interior
>> Realistic range forecast
Not so much:
>> Purchase price
>> Ultra-light steering
>> Feels heavy when pushed
The Nissan LEAF can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 8.0 seconds and boasts a top speed of more than 150km/h. Overnight charging takes eight hours from a 240V domestic outlet or reached 80 per cent capacity in as little as 28 minutes from a fast charging outlet.
Power delivery is smooth and strong with a linearity you only really get from an electric motor. There’s a strong surge all the way from standstill, with the LEAF only really losing power at speeds well in excess of the state limit.
If we had to complain, the LEAF’s steering is very light and somewhat vague while the brake pedal is mulish in response and modulation.
Depending on your rate, and utility provider, the LEAF can cost as little as $2.50 to recharge. This works out to approximately $0.0147 per kilometre. By comparison, a similarly specified petrol-powered Nissan Tiida costs around $0.159 per kilometre (These figures are for fuel only and do not factor in wear and tear, insurance and servicing).
It’s the type of quality we should expect from Nissan, especially on a technology flagship like the LEAF. In fact, the only qualms we noted were the positioning of some hard buttons on the dashboard’s lower fascia which were obscured by the steering wheel.
However, a tally of the distance travelled from Nissan HQ to the Motoring office, and our time on track, impressed even the toughest sceptics in our team of automotive pundits.
The LEAF’s cabin offers ample accommodation for four (five at a pinch), and cargo space is on par with most small hatches (330 litres). The level of amenity is fitting for a ‘premium’ hatch, as is the appliqué of creamy soft-touch fabrics. As a quality commuter with an eco-twist, the LEAF ticks all the boxes.
The LEAF’s high-tech interior offers screens and buttons in lieu of knobs and dials, which is fitting in a ‘futuristic’ kind of way. All the conveniences you’d expect of a premium hatch are at hand and work extremely well. Best of all, they’re user-friendly, accurate and informative.
The wrap-up of the 6 AMP HOUR CHALLENGE:
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