"When we put a Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion through our test rigours, it managed 11.1sec to 60mph. The Nissan Leaf did the same sprint in 10.8sec, so there is no question over whether its electric propulsion affects the Leaf’s usability purely in respect of its low-down response. In practice, it is also responsive enough at motorway speeds, offering enough of a surge that you don’t feel exposed when mixing with faster traffic, although it comes at the expense of the car’s range and it’s more sluggish to gather speed since the initial punch of torque is already used up. Essentially, the Leaf offers a usable and safe level of performance for the sort of driving it will be used for, including short motorway trips.
Around town, it has more than simply useful pace; it offers a surreal sort of entertainment, as much due to the novelty factor that electric propulsion currently holds as for the actual sensations that the torrent of silent torque brings with it. A 0-30mph time of 3.6sec sounds distinctly normal, particularly next to the Golf’s 3.7sec, but the reality of having the full 207lb ft going to the wheels from zero revs to 2730rpm gives a real urgency to the power delivery that an equivalent combustion engine lacks.
Eco mode is no less usable, given that it has no less power than standard Drive mode. Instead, it brings stronger regeneration (or what feels like much more severe engine braking) and dulled throttle response, which has the effect of making the Leaf harder to drive smoothly around town, even if, with familiarity, it’s still an easy steer.
Much of that ease comes not only from the electric motor but also from the single reduction gear. Having such a constant and uninterrupted stream of power gives the Leaf the ability to ease through an environment that would force many other cars – even some automatics – into more staccato progress. The combination of such immediate torque and then a constant and predictable power delivery makes the Nissan one of the best urban commuters around. Only the brakes threaten to corrupt the around-town experience, having very little pedal travel or allowance for modulation, but they stop the car efficiently and take little time to get used to.
Our test showed the Leaf can return 75 to 80 real-world miles on a single charge. It would be easy to view this as a very limiting factor, but considering that the vast majority of Leafs will be second cars, it’s also clear that this will be fairly irrelevant for many.
As a result of its ranks of lithium ion batteries, the Leaf is heavier than its combustion-engined equivalents by some 200kg. But in reality this doesn’t hamper the Leaf’s ability to work as comfortable and pleasant transport. Having the batteries mounted under the boot floor hasn’t eradicated the sense of weight, but in general use the soft suspension isolates occupants well. There is more body roll than you get in most conventional hatches, but that roll is quite progressive. It’s not a flawless ride – there’s some fidgeting over disturbed surfaces, and with cornering forces involved there’s a firm thump over bigger intrusions – but overall the Leaf is a comfortable car.
Handling is similarly decent, but the defining characteristic is the steering. Very light and linear, it suits urban use perfectly, but it is devoid of feel and, with 3.3 turns lock to lock, a touch more steering input is needed at higher speeds than most would want.
But few cars need to provide a feelsome drive less than the Leaf, and it is a pleasant car in which to cover miles. Turn-in is sharp enough, there’s ample grip and the Leaf is wholly safe, predictable and not unsatisfying to drive. It’s far from invigorating, but these elements of the Leaf still deserve merit simply because they do the job effectively by normal class standards."
Em: http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/Roa ... ec/256697/