Christopher Sharp tested the Nissan Leaf, an electric SUV that has been compared to Ferrari's first all-electric model, the Luce, despite a £412,000 price difference. The Leaf, with an RRP of £37,999, stands against the reported £450,000 Ferrari.
Comparison with Ferrari Luce
The Ferrari Luce, unveiled last year, drew immediate comparisons with the Nissan Leaf. The Leaf, now in its third generation, has transitioned from a hatchback to an SUV. Sharp sought out the car at SMMT's Drive Live event near Worcester in late September, driven by the interest sparked by the comparison.
The price gulf between the two cars is massive, but expected given one is mass-produced and the other is for the extremely wealthy. The comparison has nonetheless generated acute interest in the Leaf.
Specifications and Interior
The tested version was the 75kWh Advance model, offering 387 miles of range and 160kW (214bhp). The five-door, five-seat platform weighs just under two tonnes, with dimensions just over four metres long and around two metres wide.
The interior is classic Nissan, familiar from the Qashqai hybrid. It features physical buttons on the steering wheel, simple drive-mode switches, and a touchscreen that doesn't dominate the dashboard. Manual shortcuts control the aircon and lane assist. Seats are firm but comfortable, and the steering wheel is easy to hold.
Driving Experience and Verdict
On the road, the Leaf feels light and nimble without being overly fast. Nissan avoided giving it excessive power, so it reaches motorway speeds promptly rather than abruptly. The tyres are grippy, and the suspension absorbs bumps well. Regenerative braking is unobtrusive and adjustable, though the minus setting increases regen, as in other cars.
It feels firm but well damped for an SUV, with a slight sense of cheapness compared to pricier cars like the Polestar 4, but it's easier to drive and learn. The sub-two-tonne SUV handles fine, being drama-free, stable, and competent on its two-wheel-drive platform. Verdict: 7.5/10.
