Nissan Leaf Hatchback (2011 - 2018) practicality

Nissan Leaf safety levels are high, and in fact the Leaf was the first full five star electric car tested by EuroNCAP.

The Leaf is fitted with ABS and Electronic Brake Distribution, six airbags, (front side and curtain) and there are two ISOFIX points and a rear-view camera for safe and easy parking.

When not under charge, an electric relay within the vehicle turns off the power to isolate the charging port. Although the charging port is waterproof and has a drainage structure for use in the rain, in case of a short circuit, the supply of electricity is immediately interrupted.

The platform has been designed to protect the batteries and prevent short circuits in the event of an accident. In short, there’s no safety reasons to worry about when choosing a Leaf.

It’s larger than most electric rivals and at least on a par inside with conventional family models so Nissan Leaf practicality was obviously high on the list of priorities for the designers and engineers behind the project.

There’s ample space for five adults to get comfortable, though the middle rear passenger does have a rather large ‘transmission tunnel’ to contend with. Still, the airy feeling afforded by the deep side windows will likely prove a hit with families as children should be able to see out easily.

The boot’s grown by 40 litres over the old car by moving the charger under the bonnet rather than behind the rear seats.

It now has a maximum range on a single charge of 124 miles, however, that figure will drop significantly if it is not driven sympathetically. There is an ECO mode to improve this though.

Charging from empty takes eight hours with a household socket, but you can opt for a quick charge which will see the battery regenerated to 80% in only 30 minutes.

The public infrastructure is still in its infancy in the UK but Nissan’s revised CarWings app will now inform you en-route if the charging point is already in use.

Range anxiety should be a thing of the past as well, as the sat-nav system will now tell you how much energy you will have left at the end of your journey so you can plan your next move accordingly. There’s even an eco route option which takes into account topography to maximise the efficiency of your journey.