Nissan LEAF e+ 2022 Review

A new LEAF

Few vehicles have driven change quite like the Nissan LEAF. An incredible 10 years on from its original Australian release, Nissan’s first mainstream EV was clearly a vehicle ahead of its time.

But come 2022, as we navigate a renewed transition to electrification, Nissan’s pioneering electric car arguably lacks the currency and popularity that its foresight suggests.

As such, Nissan has made a small update to the LEAF range as the electric hatchback continues to keep the candle burning before long-awaited new-generation EVs such as the Nissan Ariya turn up. The LEAF itself is also expected to transform into an SUV by 2025.

As facelifts go, this one’s pretty minor, so let’s see what Nissan’s boffins have achieved.

Pricing increase

The two-model 2022 Nissan LEAF (MY23) range starts slightly higher than before at $50,990 plus on-road costs for the regular Nissan LEAF and $61,490 plus ORCs for the more powerful Nissan LEAF e+.

Those prices each mark a $1000 increase over the previous respective model – changes reflected by marginally more equipment. And we mean a slither.

There’s a new switchable digital rear-view mirror and a ‘Canto’ pedestrian warning sound system, which operates between 0-30km/h to alert walkers of the LEAF’s presence and movement.

There’s also a styling update which revolves primarily around redesigned 17-inch alloy wheels, darkened headlight trims, refreshed badging and a tweaked grille design. Nissan saying the new look makes the LEAF appear more refined and dynamic.

Those changes come above and beyond carryover equipment comprising low-rolling-resistance tyres on those 17-inch rims, privacy glass, heated electric fold-in mirrors, auto on/off LED headlights with high beam assist, climate control, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rain-sensing wipers, keyless start, adaptive cruise control, leather-accented upholstery, front seat heating and a 60/40-split folding rear seat.

There’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality via cable and the sat-nav/infotainment system features an 8.0-inch colour touch-screen, seven-speaker Bose audio and DAB radio.

Passive safety items fitted to the LEAF e+ include six airbags – dual front airbags, side-impact thorax-protecting airbags (on the front seats) and head-protecting curtain airbags for the first and second row.

Driver assist technology includes all-round camera monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, driver fatigue monitoring, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, tyre pressure monitoring, traffic sign recognition and audible warning for pedestrians (reverse and low-speed only).

The standard LEAF retains a five-star ANCAP safety rating that dates back to 2018, although this does not apply to the higher-output LEAF e+ model.

In terms of aftersales, the LEAF is backed by Nissan’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, while its battery is covered by a separate eight-year/160,000km warranty – both par for the course.

Servicing intervals are set at every 12 months/20,000km, with an annual service priced between $250 and $300, according to Nissan.

Power hold

No changes have been made under the updated skin, meaning the entry-level 2022 Nissan LEAF still relies on a 110kW/320Nm electric motor for propulsion, drawing current from a 40kWh lithium-ion battery.

The 2022 Nissan LEAF e+ continues with a 160kW/340Nm motor and 64kWh battery combination.

Despite the sleeker wheels and bodywork, neither variant brings an increased range for the new model year, retaining their 270km and 385km (WLTP) ranges respectively.

According to Nissan, the LEAF e+ offers a 0-100km/h time of 6.9 seconds.

Charging from 0-100 per cent from a domestic AC outlet takes 32 hours, while a more powerful 6.6kW AC charger brings that time down to a much more palatable 11.5 hours.

Restoring charge from 20 to e80 per cent on a 50kW DC fast-charger takes 90 minutes, according to Nissan.

And based on past experience, we reckon these figures are largely achievable.

Elder statesman

For all of its pioneering ways, there’s something we should tell you about the freshly facelifted 2022 Nissan LEAF e+. It’s feeling its age.

That’s not a slight, or a preconceived criticism. It’s simply a fact.

Now well into its second generation, and with a replacement not on the horizon until mid-decade, Nissan’s EV pioneer simply cannot compete with the dazzling wares, big screens, range or performance of its modern contemporaries such as the Tesla Model 3 – recently announced as carsales’ Best Electric Car for 2022 – and the Tesla Model Y, plus the Kia EV6 and Hyundai IONIQ 5.

As such, jumping into the driver’s seat of the LEAF immediately presents as something of a throwback to its original launch in 2012: a foot-operated park brake, a perched driving position (a virtue of the batteries underneath and the ageing platform), no digital speedometer and no reach adjustment on the steering wheel.

We’d be pointing all of this out on a $20,000 city car, let alone a $60,000 EV – a vehicle segment that is supposedly about the cutting-edge tech. The LEAF e+ simply feels off the pace.

Moreover, the LEAF’s outward vision is impeded by bulky split front A-pillars and a narrow rear windscreen and the dashboard is festooned with all manner of buttons and switchgear.

On a practicality front, however, we find the LEAF e+ relatively sound, with ample in-car storage, charging points and overall space given its 4.49-metre length.

The infotainment system is relatively inoffensive, too, with simple corded pairing to smartphone mirroring and a legible, easy interface.

Further back, the second row happily accommodates two adults or children alike, serviced by rear seat heating and ISOFIX attachment points on the outbound pews. There are no rear air vents, however.

Likewise, the 405-litre boot area offers adequate proportions even with fitment of a Bose sound box. The LEAF’s engine bay is occupied by electric hardware, and as a result there is no additional storage.

On the road, the Nissan LEAF e+ again covers the bare basics, but even then, you cannot escape its age.

The drive experience is initially telegraphed by a spongey brake pedal action and more pitch and roll than a lot of EV contemporaries. We’d bet the latter is again a virtue of the LEAF’s ageing platform, with its wheelbase and spread of weight paling against more modern and athletic rivals.

The Kia EV6 immediately springs to mind.

Otherwise, the LEAF e+ is sound rather than ground-breaking with its on-road skillset. The ride and handling mix does an admirable job of isolating occupants from what’s happening underneath, while also offering faithful body control through changes in direction.

Most pitter-patter bumps are dispatched effortlessly, but there are occasions where sharper obstacles will thud their way through the cabin.

Power from the electric motor is likewise predictable and spritely, with ample shove off the line and a linear climb up the speedo when you ask for more urge.

In a city environment, the LEAF e+ never feels headed in terms of power and torque. And refinement is relatively strong too.

Based on our initial drive impressions – plus previous experience in the predecessor – we reckon a real-world range of between 300km and 320km is largely achievable in mixed conditions.

Moving on

We owe a lot to the Nissan LEAF and its role in helping EVs gain mass-market acceptance in Australia.

Irrespective of that, there’s no escaping the age factor and lack of sizzle around this ever-so-light facelift.

Sure, the 2022 Nissan LEAF e+ covers the basics and makes a reasonable case as an everyday ownership prospect.

But the EV game has also moved on in many respects – and consumers are increasingly wanting to do without compromise.

How much does the 2022 Nissan LEAF e+ cost?
Price: $61,490 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: Single permanent magnet synchronous motor
Output: 160kW/340Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 62kWh lithium-ion
Range: 385km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 18.0kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested

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