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Nissan Leaf 2018 Review
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Nissan Leaf 2018 Review

By:  Jorge
·
February 11,2018
·
11 min read

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Nissan Leaf 2018

The Nissan Leaf 2018 will be coming to our market; however, nobody knows (or they don’t want to tell us yet) when and for how much. In all cases, we can estimate that it will be arriving -at least to the UAE- towards the end of the year or beginning of 2019. As per their statement, engineers still need to adapt the product to the Middle East requirements. Worst case scenario (which seems unlikely) will be that the car will be launched at the Expo 2020 since Nissan is the official automotive partner <Read the article here> and committed to delivering a fleet of eco-friendly cars. 

Now I’m talking to you Nissan, you have a solid product between your hands so speed up things because other brands are taking over. We have your cousin Renault with the Zoe and Chevrolet with the Bolt <read our first quick drive here>, not to mention Tesla with the Model 3, but that’s another question mark because while you can pre-order it by paying something along the lines of AED 4,000 you never know when you’re going to get it.

Nissan Leaf

Having addressed the money, it’s also important to know how much the 2nd Generation Nissan Leaf will cost, right? At the end of the day, people care about electric cars because they are supposed to be cost-effective. Since you save on petrol, servicing, parking (for at least one more year in Dubai) and a Salik Tag. Yes, just the Salik tag. Those street comments saying you don’t pay Salik are false, you don’t pay for the tag which is AED 50. Going back to the question, we don’t know the price but in Europe, they are selling it for Euro 32,000 approximately; hence we can estimate around AED 140,000-ish. If these assumptions are accurate we will have an eventual price point situation. 

Anyways, let us take a break to appreciate this picture. I’ll tell you the story. We were driving downhill Tenerife Mountains and at one point I pulled over and took this image. We were literally driving above the clouds. Besides the amazing picture, now I’ll be able to tell my grandson (in let's say 35 years) I’ve touched the clouds. 

Tenerife

So, about the Leaf. When it comes to the history I’ve written another article which a farewell for the 1st, 7-year-old generation model. You can read it by clicking on the following link (History of the Nissan Leaf) but, if you don’t want to give me that second page view, this is the summary (read it very fast like those legal tags after radio promos). The first-generation Nissan Leaf was launched 7 years ago, since then they’ve sold 300,000 units which represents more than 3.9 billion electric, non-contaminated kilometers. Those 3.9 billion kilometers driven saved 1.2 million CO2 emissions. The previous mentioned equals to all of Genève in trees (15.93 km2). In addition, the first generation won several awards such as European Car of the Year, Japan Car of the Year and World Car of the Year; hence this 2nd Generation has a lot to prove. Will it beat its older brother or not? If you are interested in us answering this question keep reading the review. 

About the experience: Overall, I must admit they’ve created a great electric, eco-friendly experience to launch the 2018 Leaf. Let me tell you why. We arrived in Tenerife and the minute we got out of the plane we started driving the New Nissan e-NV200. For those who don’t know what that is, it’s a cargo / 7-seater electric van.

Nissan e-NV200

That’s me, with the van, the wind farm, and rainbow behind. 

From the very beginning, we got our hands on the current Nissan electric line up. After driving it for more than 80 kilometers we reached the Institute of Technology and Renewable Energies (ITR). It just so happens that it is sort of a sustainable city facing the sea with wind farms and solar panels that actually source the houses and everything that needs power. Everyone heads to their villa and then a short product presentation of the New 2018 Nissan Leaf. The next day, hands-on with the electric car, 2 journalists per car, and a fully charged battery to drive up and downhill.

Jorge Bialade

About the drive and the car itself.  As you can see I dressed according to the situation. I was driving an eco-friendly car; hence I took an eco-friendly “Miracle Garden-ish” shirt from my wardrobe. There are many ways of presenting a car. This time I would like to address the new stuff and enhancements against its predecessor. Then, after reading this article I would suggest you read our ABC for First Electric Car Buyers, which is a quick guide on how to evaluate buying an EV (electric vehicle) <read here>. 

Design wise, this second-generation Nissan Leaf looks less electric (less awkward) than its predecessor. Back in those days, there was a need of making an electric car different from the others. Nowadays, that need is khalas, done and dusted. I’ve taken a picture with both, so you can see the difference. 

Nissan Leaf old vs new

Even though it looks more like a “petrol car” you still find electric hints, such as there are no grilles or exhaust pipes.

Interior wise, the all-new Nissan Leaf can seat 4 to 5 adults with their short weekend luggage to put inside its 435-liter trunk - at the end of the day it is a hatchback. In all cases, I’m not sure how the range of the battery will react to such weight. Five adults (3 men + 2 women), average 85 kilograms per man and 55 kilograms per woman, plus an extra 10 kilos luggage each and we are on a good 415 kilos, my friend. Something to further test when it comes to Dubai and specifically to the YallaMotor garage. 

Nissan Leaf 2018 Interior

Wondering about the range and the power? Keep reading. 

When it comes to the power, the Nissan Leaf has a 40-kWh battery (this is what you can expect nowadays). The Renault Zoe comes with a 40-kWh battery, and the Chevrolet Bolt should come with the same. As another example, the Tesla Model S (basic) comes with a larger 60-kWh battery pack.  This electric engine can deliver 150 horsepower with 320 Nm of instant torque. This 2nd Generation of the Leaf can take you on a single charge and in optimal conditions for 230 km on a combined cycle which means city and highways. Whereas if you drive it only in the city, in optimal conditions, if you are an electric car guru, you were born with a socket in your left hand and a solar panel in your right, and Benjamin Franklin is your great, great, great, great, grandfather, it will deliver 415 kilometers of range. Jokes aside, I believe it’s possible. Especially with the introduction of the e-pedal (see below). All that sort of electric power can take you from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds, which is good for a hatchback, right?

Electro-tip of the day: Do you know that electric cars consume more on highways than in cities? It’s the opposite of petrol cars. So, if you are driving an Electric Car with the arrow in 90 degrees and you think you are consuming less battery, you are completely wrong.

Nissan leaf 2018 interior

The drive overall is very interesting. And it will be even more interesting if it’s the first time you are driving an electric car. You will appreciate the quietness in the cabin above anything else. However, there is still a bit of connection between the driver and the “engine” with that electric mosquito repellant sound. 

Technology-wise: I would like to highlight the following three things. 

1) Pro Pilot (AKA enhanced adaptive cruise control plus lane assist / AAKAIYAIMOAAEL - also known as if you are in marketing or an automotive electric engineer- “Da first step towards autonomous drive “. Sorry I got too engaged with that. Anyway, going back to explain the Pro Pilot. You just press a couple of buttons located on the steering wheel and the car will control the steering, acceleration and brakes making sure to keep you in between the lanes and with a safe distance with the car that you have in front while driving on the highway. Warning, Warning, Warning beep, beeeeeeeep, beeeeeep; this is a hands-on system. Hence, you can’t take your hands off the steering wheel. The before written drama is how the car will let you know if you take your hands off.

2) e-pedal also as known as one pedal driving. This is such a beautiful experience by the way. And to be honest with you; I assumed I was going to hate it; but I didn’t. With this tech, you can drive the car using only the accelerator, because when you remove your foot from the pedal the car will brake as if you are using the brake pedal. So, your left leg just becomes completely useless. Moreover, since it has the letter “e” while releasing your foot from the accelerator the car will regenerate energy to give you / match the range stated. 

3) Pro Pilot Park. In addition to a semi-autonomous drive, along with the fact that you can drive it using only your right leg, the Leaf introduces automated parking. We actually didn’t test it, so we can’t tell you much. In all cases, it was a feature to highlight. 

Integration wise, the Leaf has a “I can’t expect less these days” 7-inch screen that you can connect to Apple Car Play and Android Auto. In addition, the Leaf offers owners the Nissan Connect EV app. With this app, you can control and schedule (remotely) the temperature of the car and check the battery status, among other features. 

Nissan Leaf 2018 Interior Screen

Now the charging part. Every electric car needs to be charged, right? You will have 3 different options and timings. 

1) You plug the Leaf to a regular socket in your house. From 0% to 100% will take 21 hours. Not good. 

2) You go to the public infrastructure or install a public infrastructure in your garden (for example the ones you can find in Mall of the Emirates, hotels, and things like that) and from 0% to 100% will take you 7.5 hours. Depends on how many kilometers you drive a day, but let's say after 4 days you need to leave the car charging the whole night. If you are charging it in the mall, you will be definitely be spending more than 3 Nissan Patrol tanks in goodies since nobody goes and walks in the mall for 7.5 hours or does the Carrefour groceries in that time.

Nissan Leaf Charging

3) Fast Charge. You can charge up to 80% of the battery within 40 minutes to 1 hour. 

So, the conclusion:  The 2018 Nissan Leaf is worth a shot. Especially for the legacy. Nissan carried out improvements, added technology which is useful and extended the range. However, I'm not entirely sure how it will drive in the UAE since we drive a lot on highways and electric cars, as of now, are made for smaller cities (to use the e pedal and things like that). In addition, I’m really looking forward to seeing how they will be adapting the Leaf to the region as well. Since apparently, the engineers are currently working on it. Moreover, we still need to know the price in a price sensitive, offer friendly market like the UAE. If it’s well priced, it will be a great option since you can wave off petrol prices with much cheaper electricity. Finally, we still need a lot more infrastructure locally.

Nissan Leaf 2018 interior

Bonus track: Quick guide for first electric owners.

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Also See:

Toyota Camry 2018 Review

Arabia Taxi welcomes Toyota Prius to its fleet in UAE

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