What’s it like to drive?

Key to the appeal of Nissan Leaf performance is just how easy it is to access it. Press the start button, remind yourself there’s not meant to be any engine noise, select D and touch the accelerator – you’re off.

There’s 254Nm available from the off, and 108hp shortly after, so while the Leaf is more concerned with saving the planet than shaving tenths off lap times it can prove surprisingly nimble at the traffic lights. In fact, with its single forward gear ratio the Leaf is surprisingly fast around town and can keep up with, and sometimes sprint in front of, most other users.

On the open road the Nissan will complete the 0-62mph benchmark in 11.5 seconds and complete its run at a maximum of 89mph. All in relative silence – save for the now more noticeable road and wind noise. It’s a strange sensation, but one that readily appeals from the moment you set off.

Handling and ride

It handles much like a conventionally powered family car, and is more composed than most of its electric car rivals of a similar age. There’s some body roll when cornering, but on the whole you’re unaware of the car’s relatively tall 1,550mm height – the low slung batteries helping keep the centre of gravity down.

The later the car, the better it gets. Revised cars received a number of improvements over the first generation cars, with the suspension being comprehensively retuned with British roads in mind. Previously high-speed ride was an issue, the bobbing sensation on rough motorway surfaces a tell-tale sign of the Nissan EV being considerably underdamped.

The steering was re-engineered too, requiring more effort than before at high speed, lessening the nervous feeling it had around the dead ahead before. There’s still little feel though, and the Leaf is most at home in the town centre when steering feedback isn’t important.