Nissan Leaf e+ 2021 review | 62kWh Leaf | Chasing Cars

We drive the new Nissan Leaf E-Plus and see what this small EV hatchback is like to drive.

Is the improved long range Nissan Leaf still worth buying at $60,490? Joining the circa-$50K Leaf in Nissan’s Australian EV lineup, the Leaf e+ sees the battery size increased from 40kWh to 62kWh, allowing a boost to the 2021 Leaf’s range to 385km WLTP. But with the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus and Hyundai Kona Electric both offering more than 400km of range for similar money, does the Leaf e+ make sense?

And with Nissan launching the Ariya EV SUV soon, what will the Leaf’s role be in future?

In today’s video, Tom takes a detailed look at the new top-spec Leaf E Plus to give you detailed insights about this vehicle.

What do you think of this car? Leave a comment below.

While you’re there, please consider subscribing and joining our Chasing Cars community.

Time codes:

0:00 - Introduction
1:28 - Interior
4:23 - Back seat
5:30 - Boot
6:42 - Driving the Leaf e+
12:26 - Verdict

[PhilDodd]

Concern about the lack of active battery thermal management makes me a bit shy of the Leaf. It would probably be ok around town and charging at home, maybe not so if frequent DC fast charging is on the cards.

[JakubSobczak]

@Chasing Cars can the steering wheel be adjusted in both horizontal and vertical plane?

[Well_Theres_Your_Problem]

Will be good when EVs can compete with the $20K city cars.

[GlowingTube]

No active cooling means early battery charge drop in hotter climates like Australia. Best avoid.

[markwfrancis]

Thermal battery management is a big deal in hot and cold climates, yet it is not covered in your review of this or other electric cars. Why?

[robertceroli]

Did Nissan sort out the battery issues as there were documented case early series leaf suffered from battery prematurely failings after the 7 year mark conveniently after warranty period and resulting in a battery replacement bill that exceeded the value of the pos and zero support from Nissan like there disastrous CVT

[ALxdCrftPlays]

Nissan New Zealand FINALLY has released the e+ version. This would be my dream car. Problem is it's super expensive only the rich (not middle class) can afford it. NZ$69, 999 or NZ$61, 990 for the 40kw version. The 40kw can't do long road trips where as the e+ opens the door to do so. Can't believe Toyota are so behind not even having an electric car yet. Plus the Leaf has better cabin features than Toyota (space for passengers, boot size per car ratio).

[magicalwonton]

Quick questions, I was driving the Hyundai Kona electric the other day, and one annoying thing with the break energy regeneration is that when you have the cruise control on and you wanna break, it always applies on top of regular breaking power, and the whole car stops more heavily than you want which kinda ruins the ride. Is it just that car or is there any cure for that issue?

[DeoanandGeer]

Maybe they can now build charging ports at various points along the way !!

[popehoopsqwrrt]

With that price tag no question im getting a tesla model 3 SR+

[jatinrai]

Great video Tom 👍, my thoughts is that I would look for an huyandai ioniq which has around 300km range and 10k cheaper to do a comparison, my cousin bought an ioniq premium at 52k in Melbourne and has better features than this leaf I feel, Kona I read somewhere yesterday that will no longer be produced as huyandai will be focusing on the ioniq 5 will be interesting to see you do a review of the same when possible.

[darrellOOO]

No competition at all.
$62, 900 Tesla Model 3 (NSW Rego) 508km Range (NEDC), 5.6s zero to 100km/h. Who would buy a Nissan at the same price point as a Tesla?

[memnon]

It’s a lot of money for something that looks like a rental car.

[mudroch]

$60K and an interior from the 90's. Sorry, but not yet. I really want to get into EV's but this doesn't inspire.

[ednaemode]

60 grand!! Just buy a used Tesla model 3 for that price

[Gritto]

Nothing new in this review, pretty disappointing effort really.