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Expert Rating

Nissan Leaf

(2018 - present)

Expert Rating

New car score:

73
%
A

Used car score:

79
%
A

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

64
%
C

Safety Rating:

64
%
C

Eco Rating:

100
%
-

Reliability Rating:

100
%
A

Running Costs:

92
%
A

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

New car score:

73
%
A

Used car score:

79
%
A

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

64
%
C

Safety Rating:

64
%
C

Eco Rating:

100
%
-

Reliability Rating:

100
%
A

Running Costs:

92
%
A

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.

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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


Media reviews


Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

+

Auto Express

+

Car

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Company Car Today

+

Discover EV

+

Evo

+

Green Car Guide

+

Heycar

+

Honest John

+

Parkers

+

Regit

+

The Sun

+

The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

Which EV?

+

Safety rating


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%

Eco rating


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

Clean Air Index: 10 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 8.5 / 10

Reliability rating

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Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

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.

Running cost rating

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Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Battery rangeAverageScoreVariationScore
EV models195 milesB168 – 239 milesB – C
Electrical efficiencyAverageScoreVariationScore
EV models4.2 m/KWhB3.9 – 5.9 m/KWhA – C
Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
All models25B21 – 28A – B
Service and maintenanceCostScore
Year 1£137A
Year 2£307A
Year 3£536A
Year 4£634A
Year 5£856A
Overall£2,470A

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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Subscribe to a Nissan Leaf


Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)

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The latest Nissan Leaf has received consistently good scores from the UK motoring media, although it has few electric family car rivals to measure against.Nissan Leaf