Nissan Leaf 2022 review
Overview
The second-generation Nissan Leaf (ZE1) was the car that made the electric family hatchback mainstream, and by 2022 it was Britain's most established used EV — built at Nissan's Sunderland plant, with more than 32,000 ordered in the UK by 2021. The 2022 range offered two batteries: a 40kWh pack with 150PS and 168 miles of WLTP range, and the e+ 62kWh with 217PS and 239 miles. Prices started at £28,995 for the Acenta, rising through N-Connecta, the '10' special edition and Tekna to the e+ Tekna at £36,445.
Driving the Leaf is all about easy pace: the 40kWh car does 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds and the e+ in 6.9, with instant torque and the clever e-Pedal that lets you drive on one pedal in traffic. Rapid charging uses the CHAdeMO connector — 50kW DC fills 20-80% in around an hour — and a 6.6kW onboard AC charger means 7.5 hours for a full charge at home or work.
Practicality is family-friendly: five seats, a 435-litre boot and a five-star Euro NCAP rating from 2018. ProPilot driver assistance (adaptive cruise with lane-keeping) was standard on mid trims and above, and the cabin is roomy if a little plain. Battery health is the key used-buy check: Nissan's battery warranty runs for 8 years or 100,000 miles.
The Leaf's weaknesses are well known: passive air cooling of the battery (no liquid cooling like most rivals), CHAdeMO rather than the CCS standard now dominant in Europe, and a dashboard that already looked dated by 2022. But as a cheap-to-run used EV — energy costs a fraction of petrol, servicing is minimal and VED is £0 — the 2022 Leaf remains one of the smartest first-EV buys in Britain.
UK price from: £28,995
Specifications
| Battery | 40 kWh / 62 kWh (e+) |
| Power | 150 PS / 217 PS (e+) |
| Torque | 320 Nm / 340 Nm (e+) |
| 0-62 mph | 7.9 seconds / 6.9 seconds (e+) |
| Top speed | 90 mph / 98 mph (e+) |
| Range | 168 miles / 239 miles (WLTP) |
| Charging | 50 kW DC (CHAdeMO); 6.6 kW AC (7.5 h full) |
| Transmission | Single-speed reduction gear |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Boot space | 435 litres |
| Kerb weight | 1,580 kg |
| Battery warranty | 8 years / 100,000 miles |
Features
- 40kWh (150PS) or 62kWh e+ (217PS) battery options
- 168 or 239 miles of WLTP range
- e-Pedal one-pedal driving with strong regenerative braking
- ProPilot adaptive cruise with lane-keeping assist
- 50kW DC CHAdeMO rapid charging fitted as standard
- 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Heated front and rear seats (N-Connecta and above)
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake pads (set) | £42.99 | Pattern part; EVs wear brakes slowly thanks to regen |
| Cabin pollen filter | £16.99 | |
| Front wiper blades (pair) | £21.99 | |
| 12V auxiliary battery | £79.99 | |
| Tyre 205/55 R16 (EV-rated) | £89.99 | Low rolling-resistance type |
| Rear brake discs (pair) | £54.99 | Pattern part |
Pros
- One of Britain's cheapest ways into EV motoring, with low used prices
- 435-litre boot and roomy cabin — a proper family hatchback
- Eight-year battery warranty and a proven reliability record
- £0 VED, minimal servicing and ultra-cheap home charging
Cons
- CHAdeMO rapid charging, not the now-standard CCS connector
- No active battery cooling — repeated rapid charges slow the car down
- The 40kWh car's 168-mile WLTP range needs planning on long trips
- Interior tech and styling feel dated next to newer EVs
