Summary
The Nissan Leaf is a medium-sized five-door hatchback, and one of the pioneers of electric driving. The current model is the second-generation Leaf and is built here in the UK at Nissan’s Sunderland plant.
The Leaf has been one of the flag-bearers for electric cars over the last decade, although that mantle has been taken over by Tesla in recent years.
The Nissan Leaf has received particular praise for its smooth, quiet operation and generous equipment levels. However, it has been criticised for not matching other electric cars, like the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia e-Niro, when it comes to overall range. The higher-spec models are also considered expensive compared to the entry-level models.
A mildly facelifted Leaf arrived in the UK in Spring 2022. This consists of some minor styling tweaks, along with some new colours and alloy wheel designs.
As of January 2025, the Nissan Leaf holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 73%. It scores highly for its exceptional reliability record, zero tailpipe emissions and low running costs. Its safety score is only average, as the testing was done back in 2018.

Leaf highlights
- Leisurely driving experience
- Respectable battery range
- Roomy interior with intuitive practical gadgets
- Alluring affordable pricing
- Low running costs
Leaf lowlights
- At risk of being surpassed by newer EV rivals
- Polarising exterior looks
- The e-Niro and Kona Electric have better battery range
- Slightly complicated infotainment
Key specifications
Body style: Five-door hatchback
Power: electric motor, battery-powered
Price: From £28,995 on-road
Launched: Spring 2018
Last updated: Summer 20222
Next update due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: e+ Tekna
Score: 7.4 / 10
“The Nissan Leaf e+ is a worthy range-topper with a bigger battery providing improved performance and better range, but it still can’t keep up with key rivals.”
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“The ride is composed, and there’s a real sense of refinement from a decent interior and lack of noise intrusion from outside. It steers well enough and the electric motor provides punchy acceleration.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The all-electric Nissan Leaf is a practical and efficient family hatch, but it faces a growing number of appealing EV rivals.”
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Model reviewed: e+ Tekna 62kWh Auto
Score: 7 / 10
“The new Nissan Leaf e+ is exactly what it says on the tin: a Leaf, but with a bigger battery and a longer range.”
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Model reviewed: Tekna
Score: 8 / 10
“The Nissan Leaf’s brilliant blend of abilities has well and truly won me over; I love the economy and just how easy it is to drive.”
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Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“For a mass-market EV, the Nissan Leaf was already a strong car; this second-generation Leaf is a fairly impressive step up, particularly when you consider that many rival manufacturers are still rushing to build their first dedicated electric cars.”
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Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“Given driving the Nissan Leaf is a generally relaxing experience, there’s genuinely some satisfaction to be had from figuring out how to make it go further.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“Now in its second generation, the Nissan Leaf is a clever EV with an impressive driving range, useful technology and plenty of space. It broadens the appeal of electric motoring.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Nissan Leaf is a smart-looking electric car with decent range and a big boot but alternatives feel plusher inside and come with easier-to-use infotainment systems.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: Leaf e+ Tekna
“A good range-topper offering a welcome increase in range as well as a decent performance lift, but it comes at a pretty hefty price.”
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Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The range, looks, safety kit and improved residual values all make sure the Nissan Leaf is more appealing than ever. In the right application, it’s a cost-effective fleet vehicle.”
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Discover EV
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The world’s first second-generation EV is very likeable indeed and delivers more of everything: power, range, technology, safety, style, space and quality. Nissan has listened to loyal customers and made over 100 changes to the car based on feedback.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 6 / 10
“Nissan’s new electric car doesn’t thrill us just yet, but future iterations may be a different story.”
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: Leaf e+
Score: 9 / 10
“The Nissan Leaf e+ 3.ZERO is essentially a good car to drive, and with zero tailpipe emissions, it makes much more sense for journeys that are primarily in urban areas than petrol or diesel cars. It also has improved styling compared to the original LEAF model, and is reasonably practical in terms of space.”
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Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 9 / 10
“The new Nissan Leaf is, without doubt, an important car. With revised styling, a longer range, a practical body style, and a relatively affordable price, it will meet the needs of many people.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Nissan Leaf is a great entry to the electric car world. It demands few compromises, has punchy acceleration, comes well equipped, and drives better than many rivals, while undercutting them on price.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“Although the latest Nissan Leaf won’t make the headlines in the same way as the original, it’s a perfectly likeable introducing to electric motoring. It’s very useable – with a decent range and a bit boot. We just don’t think it’s quite as polished as it perhaps could be.”
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“Price aside, the Nissan Leaf is a very good family car and a viable alternative to petrol and diesel. Nissan has been building electric vehicles for longer than any carmaker and it shows here, with the Leaf feeling far superior in build and technology compared to its rivals. As a long term ownership proposition, it should prove good value for money.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 7.8 / 10
“A usable electric car that’s starting to fall off the pace”
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Regit
Score: 6 / 10
“The Nissan Leaf is comfortable, reasonably quick and relatively pleasing to drive. If comfort and practicality are priorities, then it’s a good choice. But, despite recent upgrades, it’s showing its age as more competition arrives on the scene.”
Author: Tim Barnes-Clay
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The Sun
Model reviewed: Range review
“The Nissan Leaf is fun and speedy — but looks like a cross between a DeLorean and a hearse.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“A big improvement in range and dynamics for Nissan’s best-selling electric vehicle. It’s a shame all that work couldn’t have included a lower driver’s seat and steering-column adjustment, but in most other aspects this is as competent an EV as you could wish for.”
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Model reviewed: e+ Tekna
“This new Leaf e+ is good in parts and the extra range is welcome, even if the chassis struggles with this amount of torque and the driving position remains awkward.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“The real joy of the Nissan Leaf isn’t the money, it’s the motor and its charming grace. For the way most people drive, it’s simply a better source of motion.”
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Which EV?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.1 / 10
“The Nissan Leaf has grown and matured into something much more versatile than just a city car. The more powerful e+ version is a great all-rounder EV that can do both metropolitan journeys and longer motorway runs, with a usable range and plenty of space for passengers and luggage going on holiday. The basic model is a great little city car for a more affordable price. The Leaf is quite chunky to look at, but it’s still one of the best everyday EV options around.” (James Morris)
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Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: April 2018
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 93%
Child protection: 86%
Vulnerable road users: 71%
Safety assist: 71%
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Model tested: 40 kWh N-Connecta
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: July 2019
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 8.5 / 10
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 12
Average repair cost: £295.81
Last updated: August 2024
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
The Nissan Leaf has an excellent reliability score of 87%, according to workshop and warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partner, MotorEasy. This score applies to both the current model (2018) onwards and the original Leaf (2011 to 2017). This score is the top result for all cars in our Expert Rating Index.
As well as having very few problems, repairs have proven to be quite cheap when a Leaf does have an issue, with an average repair bill of just under £300.
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
EV models | 195 miles | B | 168 – 239 miles | B – C |
Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
EV models | 4.2 m/KWh | B | 3.9 – 5.9 m/KWh | A – C |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 25 | B | 21 – 28 | A – B |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £137 | A |
Year 2 | £307 | A |
Year 3 | £536 | A |
Year 4 | £634 | A |
Year 5 | £856 | A |
Overall | £2,470 | A |
The Nissan Leaf is a very affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Servicing and maintenance bills should be very inexpensive, and insurance is generally good as well. The Leaf has good electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon in a petrol or diesel car), which means it can run for nearly 200 miles despite a modest battery size.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Nissan Leaf
Date: June 2024
Model types: All
Build dates: 10/2019 to 06/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 1
Defect: The VIN stored in the vehicle system may not match the actual VIN of the vehicle. This may lead to a situation where a vehicle user can see information related to a different vehicle resulting in a data security breach.
Remedy: Replace the navigation display / control unit and the telematics control unit.
Date: July 2023
Model types: All
Build dates: 12/2017 to 05/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 37,574
Defect: A potential concern affecting the Vehicle Control Module (VCM) logic of some vehicles has been identified whereby in specific and rare circumstances after switching off the cruise control function there is a possibility of unintended acceleration.
Remedy: The software of the VCM will be updated.
Date: July 2017
Model types: All
Build dates: 02/2017 to 03/2017
Number of vehicles affected: 65
Defect: Due to a non confromity in production the headlamp auto aim function may not operate.
Remedy: Reconfigure and then reinitialise the headlamp leveliser control unit on affected vehicles.
As of August 2024, there have been four DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the second-generation Nissan Leaf. These cover software issues, parking brake and hedlights.
Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Nissan dealer.
If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Leaf, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Nissan Leaf has received
2023
Auto Trader Awards – Best Car for City Drivers
2022
- DrivingElectric Awards – Best Used Small Electric Car
2021
- Carbuyer Awards – Best Used Family Electric Car
2019
- Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Electric Car
2018
- Carwow Awards – Innovation Award
- DieselCar and EcoCar Awards – Best Electric Car
- World Car Awards – Best Green Car
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Nissan Leaf, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën ë-C4 | Hyundai Ioniq Electric | Hyundai Kona Electric | Kia Niro EV | MG 4 | Peugeot e-2008 | Polestar 2 | Tesla Model 3 | Toyota Prius Plug-In | Volkswagen ID.3
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