Nissan Leaf EV Reborn

What is it?

The 2025 Nissan Leaf is back with a proper reboot, this time looking more like a family-friendly electric crossover than the quirky little hatch it started out as. Still made in Sunderland, it’s had a big makeover—modern styling, better tech, more space, and longer range. This is Nissan trying to stay in the game against rivals like the Kia EV3, VW ID.3, and Renault Scenic E-Tech. Built on the CMF-EV platform, the new Leaf can now go up to 375 miles on a full charge (WLTP), which makes it a properly strong option if you’re after something practical, decent to look at, and built in Britain

Exterior Design

This new Leaf’s had quite the glow-up. It leans more towards crossover than hatchback now, and it definitely looks more modern and sorted. It’s got a bit of SUV stance about it without going full-on bulky, and the design ties in well with the rest of Nissan’s electric range. Size-wise, it’s 4350mm long, 1810mm wide, and 1550mm tall, so it’s still easy enough to live with around town. The sharper lines and new light setups make it look more grown-up, and overall it’s a lot sleeker than before.

Battery and Range

You’ve got a choice of two battery options: there’s a 52kWh version and a bigger 75kWh one.

Go for the 52kWh and you get 174bhp with a 0–62mph time of 8.6 seconds. Need a bit more shove? The 75kWh model bumps power up to 215bhp and gets to 62mph in around 7.6 seconds. Torque figures haven’t been nailed down yet, but it should be roughly 250Nm or 300Nm depending on the battery.

Both versions drive the front wheels, and there’s no official word on top speed, but it’ll likely be somewhere between 90–100mph to keep the range in check. Speaking of range, the smaller battery is good for up to 271 miles (WLTP), while the larger pack stretches that to 375 miles—not bad at all, especially at this price point.

Charging-wise, you’re looking at 100kW DC fast charging for both versions, meaning you can go from 10–80% in around 30–40 minutes if the conditions are right. No exact figures yet for efficiency (mi/kWh), but Nissan reckon it’ll beat the old model thanks to the updated underpinnings.

Ride & Handling

When you get it out on the road, the new Leaf leans more comfort than corner king. It’s a bit chunkier than rivals like the Skoda Elroq or Kia EV3, so it’s not the most nimble thing on four wheels. Still, it’s a smooth, calm drive and surprisingly quiet even at motorway speeds.

The steering’s nice and light in regular driving, which makes it easy around town, but it firms up a bit in Sport mode so you’ve got a bit more feel through corners. It’s not exciting, but for the day-to-day—school runs, commutes, Tesco trips—it feels solid and gets the job done without stress.

Interior & Tech

Inside’s where the Leaf has really stepped up its game. The cabin feels much more put-together now, and there’s loads of new tech. Front and centre are two big 14-inch screens—one for your dials and one for infotainment. The main screen sorts wireless phone stuff and even has Google Built-in, which means you get Maps, voice control and app updates over the air. There are around 70 apps available too, including streaming services for when you’re parked up.

Materials feel a step up as well—soft surfaces in all the right places, easily on par with the Kia EV3 and actually a bit nicer than the more basic VW ID.3 finish. Top-trim versions even get a fancy panoramic roof that tints itself at the press of a button. Most of the old-school buttons have been swapped out for touch panels (especially for the climate controls), but thankfully it’s all decently laid out and not too fiddly.

You get nice extras like ambient lighting, a flat floor through the cabin, and decent storage here and there. Driver aids are plentiful too—ProPILOT Assist as standard, a 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control, and loads more.

Practicality

As a family car, the new Leaf shapes up well. The boot’s a useful size at 437 litres, and the shape of the tailgate means it’s dead easy to load up—whether it’s the food shop or a pushchair. That flat floor in the back isn’t just good for legroom; it also makes it easier to fit in child seats or shift stuff around.

The raised seating position feels more SUV-like, which helps with visibility, and overall there’s been some smart thinking in how space is used inside. There’s enough room for grown-ups in the back, and with the new tech and neat cabin design, it all comes together really well.