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Twelve months have passed since we got the Leaf e+ and I thought I'd share my thoughts about it. Especially so, when quite a lot of competition is around Leaf right now and it is being criticised a lot by many people in the UK (surprisingly not so by US reviewers, but that is for another conversation).
So, the good, the bad and overall thoughts:
THE GOOD
1. Build quality
E+ is my second Leaf. Before that I had a 30kWh Tekhna for 3 years and loved it a lot. I remember collecting it from our Nissan dealer checking everything and trying to find faults in paint or panels alignment, especially as that was the first new car I ever had. I found very, and I do mean very, few faults on 30kWh. Likewise, there were almost none on the e+. The car is very well made, the panels feel sturdy and after 12 months and about 7k miles the cabin has no unwarranted noises. Paint coating is superb throughout.
2. Ride comfort and driving experience
A lot was said about supposedly "unsettled ride" of e+ due to heavier weight and tighter suspension. I disagree. Compared to 30kWh, e+ is a much more balanced car. It feels heavier and it rolls more than 30kWh on bends, but at the same time, it feels better planted on the road, which gives more confidence. It is subjective, but I happen to frequently drive rented cars during work trips and suspension on e+ is definitely no worse than the new A-class Merc or Peugeot 3008. E+ is also much quieter than my old 30kWh Leaf and I would give it an edge over M3, which I had an opportunity to drive for a day. Not that M3 was loud, but I think its suspension is just more sensitive and that adds lower frequencies to road noise.
Regarding the acceleration and power, it is miles away from 30kWh. I was vowed by M3 and e+ is surely not Tesla, but I also never feel that I lack power with e+. Overtaking at 70mph is easy and 0-30mph beats any usual ICE at the traffic lights if I get off Eco. It is not an exciting car in terms of pure acceleration, but I dont do racing and don't care about 0-60mph, so for me that number is neither here nor there, if the car is fast enough for normal circumstances. E+ delivers what I expect.
3. Propilot and driver assist
If there is one area where e+ beats M3 hands down is the usability of driver's assist technology. I was somewhat surprised at how many times did the autopilot disengage during my M3 test drive. That, combined with a few similar reviews from M3 drivers just proved the point: having superior hardware doesn't equate to superior experience. With my e+ I use Propilot everytime it is safe to do so. It is very reliable and, unlike M3, allows several options from speed limiter to full driver assist. In addition, LED signals in wing mirrors are perfect for blind spots when overtaking.
4. Cargo space
It is a hatchback. I can put almost anything realistic in the boot without worrying about dimensions. There are other EVs out there with similar or even larger boots, but I do love Leaf for being a very versatile daily car.
5. Heated steering wheel and all seats
BLISS, especially when preheated in winter No worries about scrubbing windows or wearing gloves while driving.
THE BAD
1. Infotainment and connectivity
We all know that the main screen is greatly underused and somewhat old on Leafs. E+ is much faster than Gen1 of course, with regular online updates, traffic information, Apple/Android car play. However, just as in my opinion "Tesla way" of removing all physical buttons and knobs is extreme (and borderline unsafe), Leaf could use some of that touchscreen functionality on its infotainment screen. For instance, why charging information is not available on the main screen? Why aircon widget cannot be used as a touch control? Also, why can't I see the temperature in the car when the sensor is available? Battery temperature and health anyone? Frustrating...
The Connect app is way better than before, but still is too slow and has limited functionality. Why not give the driver ability to look at cameras at any moment in time? Or to open doors via the app? Technical capacity may or may not be there, but alas, not implemented properly or not thought through.
2. Steering wheel adjustment
No comments. We all know, it doesnt adjust by reach...
3. Not aimed at the car, but at Nissan - service cost
Annual service is only 50£ cheaper than similar service for ICE, but it requires so much less actual work from Nissan. Realistically, it has to be cheaper. Having said that, I have never had any out of order situations with Leaf in all the years of owning both models, so can't complain.
4. Not aimed at the car - lack of 100kW chargers
Any e+ owner will ascertain, there is only a handful of fitting 100kW charges in the UK and, with Ariya ditching CHADEMO, I don't think this network will be growing as fast if at all. It effectively means that full charging speed is rarely achieved.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
The main question is, Would I buy e+ again?
Knowing what I know and if I needed the car right now - YES.
E+ is a great car. Far from perfect, but it fits my lifestyle and I have enjoyed driving it on every trip I took, close and far. Propilot is superb, while drawbacks from infotainment are partially negated by Apple/Android compatibility.
Having said that, I am looking forward to Ariya and, if it comes out the way I hope it will, I will upgrade in a couple of years.
So, the good, the bad and overall thoughts:
THE GOOD
1. Build quality
E+ is my second Leaf. Before that I had a 30kWh Tekhna for 3 years and loved it a lot. I remember collecting it from our Nissan dealer checking everything and trying to find faults in paint or panels alignment, especially as that was the first new car I ever had. I found very, and I do mean very, few faults on 30kWh. Likewise, there were almost none on the e+. The car is very well made, the panels feel sturdy and after 12 months and about 7k miles the cabin has no unwarranted noises. Paint coating is superb throughout.
2. Ride comfort and driving experience
A lot was said about supposedly "unsettled ride" of e+ due to heavier weight and tighter suspension. I disagree. Compared to 30kWh, e+ is a much more balanced car. It feels heavier and it rolls more than 30kWh on bends, but at the same time, it feels better planted on the road, which gives more confidence. It is subjective, but I happen to frequently drive rented cars during work trips and suspension on e+ is definitely no worse than the new A-class Merc or Peugeot 3008. E+ is also much quieter than my old 30kWh Leaf and I would give it an edge over M3, which I had an opportunity to drive for a day. Not that M3 was loud, but I think its suspension is just more sensitive and that adds lower frequencies to road noise.
Regarding the acceleration and power, it is miles away from 30kWh. I was vowed by M3 and e+ is surely not Tesla, but I also never feel that I lack power with e+. Overtaking at 70mph is easy and 0-30mph beats any usual ICE at the traffic lights if I get off Eco. It is not an exciting car in terms of pure acceleration, but I dont do racing and don't care about 0-60mph, so for me that number is neither here nor there, if the car is fast enough for normal circumstances. E+ delivers what I expect.
3. Propilot and driver assist
If there is one area where e+ beats M3 hands down is the usability of driver's assist technology. I was somewhat surprised at how many times did the autopilot disengage during my M3 test drive. That, combined with a few similar reviews from M3 drivers just proved the point: having superior hardware doesn't equate to superior experience. With my e+ I use Propilot everytime it is safe to do so. It is very reliable and, unlike M3, allows several options from speed limiter to full driver assist. In addition, LED signals in wing mirrors are perfect for blind spots when overtaking.
4. Cargo space
It is a hatchback. I can put almost anything realistic in the boot without worrying about dimensions. There are other EVs out there with similar or even larger boots, but I do love Leaf for being a very versatile daily car.
5. Heated steering wheel and all seats
BLISS, especially when preheated in winter No worries about scrubbing windows or wearing gloves while driving.
THE BAD
1. Infotainment and connectivity
We all know that the main screen is greatly underused and somewhat old on Leafs. E+ is much faster than Gen1 of course, with regular online updates, traffic information, Apple/Android car play. However, just as in my opinion "Tesla way" of removing all physical buttons and knobs is extreme (and borderline unsafe), Leaf could use some of that touchscreen functionality on its infotainment screen. For instance, why charging information is not available on the main screen? Why aircon widget cannot be used as a touch control? Also, why can't I see the temperature in the car when the sensor is available? Battery temperature and health anyone? Frustrating...
The Connect app is way better than before, but still is too slow and has limited functionality. Why not give the driver ability to look at cameras at any moment in time? Or to open doors via the app? Technical capacity may or may not be there, but alas, not implemented properly or not thought through.
2. Steering wheel adjustment
No comments. We all know, it doesnt adjust by reach...
3. Not aimed at the car, but at Nissan - service cost
Annual service is only 50£ cheaper than similar service for ICE, but it requires so much less actual work from Nissan. Realistically, it has to be cheaper. Having said that, I have never had any out of order situations with Leaf in all the years of owning both models, so can't complain.
4. Not aimed at the car - lack of 100kW chargers
Any e+ owner will ascertain, there is only a handful of fitting 100kW charges in the UK and, with Ariya ditching CHADEMO, I don't think this network will be growing as fast if at all. It effectively means that full charging speed is rarely achieved.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
The main question is, Would I buy e+ again?
Knowing what I know and if I needed the car right now - YES.
E+ is a great car. Far from perfect, but it fits my lifestyle and I have enjoyed driving it on every trip I took, close and far. Propilot is superb, while drawbacks from infotainment are partially negated by Apple/Android compatibility.
Having said that, I am looking forward to Ariya and, if it comes out the way I hope it will, I will upgrade in a couple of years.