http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/nissan/leaf/2016-nissan-leaf-30kwh-review/1367060 2016 Nissan Leaf 30kWh review Jan 26, 2016 John Howell
[images http://cached.imagescaler.hbpl.co.uk/resize/scaleHeight/655/offlinehbpl.whatcar.com/galleries/RCW/nissan-leag2016-164.jpg http://cached.imagescaler.hbpl.co.uk/resize/scaleHeight/655/offlinehbpl.whatcar.com/galleries/RCW/nissan-leag2016-165.jpg http://cached.imagescaler.hbpl.co.uk/resize/scaleHeight/655/offlinehbpl.whatcar.com/galleries/RCW/nissan-leag2016-169.jpg http://cached.imagescaler.hbpl.co.uk/resize/scaleHeight/655/offlinehbpl.whatcar.com/galleries/RCW/nissan-leag2016-170.jpg ] The Nissan Leaf is the world's best-selling electric car, and this new 30kWh version has a longer 155-mile range. We've been finding out what it's like on UK roads In case you’ve missed it, the electric revolution is under way, with more than 27,000 EVs and plug-in hybrids sold in 2015. We’ve already got electric super-saloons such as the Tesla Model S, and even a hybrid-electric supercar in the form of the BMW i8. If you want to sign up to this revolution but can’t afford those cars' hefty price tags, the Nissan Leaf 24kWh has been offering membership to the electric vehicle (EV) club since – and still does, from just £20,790. However, if the 24kWh Leaf's claimed range of 124 miles (which in the real world is nearer 70 to 80 miles) isn't enough for you, then you'll be interested to hear that the world’s most popular EV can now go 25% farther. It's thanks to the higher-density battery in this new 30kWh model, which now sits alongside the 24kWh model in the existing line-up. Nissan reckons it’ll manage a maximum of 155 miles on a single charge, which in general driving will be more like 100 to 120 miles. The bigger battery is only available on the mid-level Acenta and top-of-the-range Tekna trim, so prices start from £24,490 if you include the £5000 government subsidy. For that, you also get a warranty that covers the battery for up to eight years or 100,000 miles, which Nissan says is to help appease those who harbour apprehensions about battery technology. The new car is 21kg heavier than the 24kWh version, but that shouldn’t make too much difference to how it feels on the road. Indeed, the performance is identical, taking 11.5sec to reach 62mph before heading on to a top speed of just less than 90mph. Whether you chose the existing 24kWh or the 30kWH version, all Leafs from Acenta trim up benefit from an improved infotainment system, called NissanConnect EV. This includes a DAB radio, 7.0in touchscreen, sat-nav and NissanConnect, which can tell you how far you are from the nearest charging point – of which there are currently an estimated 10,257 spread across the UK, including 500 30-minute rapid chargers – and whether or not it’s occupied. Using an app on your smartphone or computer you can also check remotely on the Leaf’s charge status, or, if you’ve forgotten where you left it, locate it on a map. On frosty mornings, you can even use your phone to switch on the car’s heater, making it nice and toasty before the morning commute. If you opt for the Tekna trim, the Leaf is adorned with a few more creature comforts, including LED headlights, heated front and rear seats and a nine-speaker energy-efficient Bose sound system. There are alternatives to the Leaf, including the Kia Soul EV and the Volkswagen e-Golf. However, neither can boast the new range potential of the Nissan. What’s the 2015 Nissan Leaf 30kWh like to drive? If you think 0-62mph in 11.5sec sounds slow, you need to drive a Leaf before passing judgment. EVs have an instantaneous surge off the line, which means the Nissan feels sprightlier away from the lights and junctions than many conventionally powered hatchbacks. This makes zipping around town easy and fun, and only when you get past 50mph does this sense of urgency begin to wane and progress start to feel a little pedestrian. The other magical aspect of e-power is the serenity that it brings. Around town, the Leaf is as quiet as the proverbial church mouse, while at higher speeds all you hear is mostly wind and road noise. There is a fair bit of suspension noise too, and it struggles to keep the ride controlled at times. Big speed bumps aren’t a problem, but deep potholes cause a shudder and it loses some of its composure on our patchy, broken UK road surfaces. Carrying all those batteries can make EVs handle a little ponderously, but driving the Leaf around the twisting British country roads was a relative blast. It feels light-footed and surprisingly grippy, and although the steering weight is rather unnatural, it’s accuracy is impressive. Try to have too much fun and the front will wash wide, at which point the stability control kicks in to safely pull the wheels back in line. What’s the 2015 Nissan Leaf 30kWh like inside? Apart from the infotainment it’s exactly the same as before. Up front, the seats provide the cushioning of a softly sprung armchair, but with plenty of support for longer trips. You don’t get a reach-adjustable steering wheel and the driving seat is missing that last inch of travel to satisfy really tall drivers, but nevertheless the Leaf still offers a decent driving position. Forward visibility is slightly restricted by the thick, angled windscreen pillars. The wide rear pillars also limit your over-shoulder vision, but the standard rear-view camera means it’s not too much of an issue. While the Leaf’s cabin is perfectly functional and well laid out, anyone used to the plusher-feeling materials in an e-Golf or Soul EV will find the Nissan a bit sparse; there are hardly any soft-touch surfaces and there is a proliferation of scratchy plastics. That said, Nissan’s excellent showing in our latest reliability survey suggests it should be durable and able to withstand the rigours of family use. The new infotainment system is loaded with features and simple to use. It’s got clear graphics and intuitive menus, and the only complaint is a slight lag after pressing some of the on-screen icons. In the rear, the leg room is excellent bearing in mind the Leaf’s size, but tall folks may find the headroom a bit tight. It’ll still take two adults or three children, but there's more room to relax in the back of the Soul EV. The Leaf does regain points for the biggest boot, though. There’s some intrusion from the rear suspension mountings, but it’s still deep and easily big enough to swallow a couple of pushchairs. Should I buy one? Five years ago the Leaf stole a march on the mass electric car market. As a result, it became a huge hit with buyers looking to take advantage of an EV’s low running costs, which Nissan estimates can be as little as 2 pence per mile. Even today, a 24kWh Leaf, starting from around £20k, remains one of the cheapest roots to EV ownership. The extra range of this 30kWh version will be invaluable to some, in which case it’s a recommended buy. However, if you don’t need the extra range, we’d stick to the cheaper versions and save some cash. If you are still thinking about spending around £25k on an EV and can stomach a real-world range of around 80 miles, more conventionally packaged cars like the e-Golf and Soul EV are worthy alternatives to consider. [© whatcar.com Haymarket Media Group 2016] For EVLN EV-newswire posts use: http://evdl.org/evln/ {brucedp.150m.com} -- View this message in context: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/EVLN-2016-Leaf-30kWh-review-r-120mi-ts-90mph-0-62mph-11-5s-tp4680122.html Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org Read EVAngel's EV News at http://evdl.org/evln/ Please discuss EV drag racing at NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
