The new Nissan LEAF arrives in Poland. A pioneer in electric mobility with a range of 622 km and a price starting at 149,900 zł.
In the article
How has the third-generation Nissan LEAF changed?
What batteries, power outputs, and ranges does the new model offer?
What is the charging power of the new LEAF?
What did the initial test drives reveal?
How much does the new Nissan LEAF cost in Poland?
In what market conditions is it launching and who are its competitors?
Nissan LEAF – from market pioneer to crossover
The first LEAF appeared in 2010 and came equipped with a battery of 24 kWh capacity as well as an engine producing around 110 horsepower. The second generation was introduced to the market in 2017, and production at its plant in Sunderland, UK, ended in March 2024 — still without a direct successor at that time. Nissan has sold over 700,000 units of the first two generations of this vehicle, of which approximately 290,000 were delivered to customers in Europe.
The third generation has little in common with its predecessors beyond the name. The LEAF has become a crossover with a sloping roofline, and its styling builds upon the aesthetic language seen in the Nissan Ariya and the sporty Nissan 300ZX. European versions are once again produced in Sunderland—as the first model under the EV36Zero program—with batteries supplied by AESC’s gigafactory located nearby.
Dimensions and aerodynamics
Despite the change in body type, the LEAF remains a compact car. It measures 4350 mm in length (14 cm shorter than the previous model), 1810 mm in width, and 1550 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2690 mm (1 cm shorter). Its drag coefficient according to European specifications is 0.25 — significantly lower than 0.28 in the second generation, but still not the lowest when compared to competitors in the market.
The ground clearance is 135 mm, and the trunk with a two-level floor has a capacity of 437 liters. I’d like to pause here for a moment. Although the trunk is larger than that of the previous model, its two-level design is somewhat unsatisfactory. Specifically, it refers to the partition separating the two levels. The fact that it’s divided into two parts without any fixation makes it a less convenient solution. It can be frustrating to try to access items underneath when the trunk is filled with luggage on the upper level.
The cabin features two screens — a 12.3-inch display in the base version and a 14.6-inch screen in higher trims — along with buttons that provide haptic feedback for controlling the climate system. The top version also includes a glass roof with adjustable transparency. Interestingly, it has the word “LEAF” written on its half, which casts a shadow onto the rear seat on sunny days. Nissan deserves praise for this feature, as it is not a standard addition among many manufacturers that offer glass roofs.
It’s also worth noting that aside from the screens, the interior has been made similar to what we’ve seen in the Aryia model. This applies especially to the steering wheel and the haptic buttons. What’s somewhat hard to understand, however, is the section of the dashboard with buttons, or rather switches for the gearbox and driving mode selection. It looks like a block of hard plastic that’s been added to the dashboard. Functionally, it’s fine. But in terms of design… I have to admit honestly that it could have been done better.
Powertrain and Batteries – Two Versions to Choose From
The version with a 52 kWh battery has an engine producing 177 horsepower and, according to WLTP standards, can cover up to 450 km with an average energy consumption of 13.5 kWh/100 km. The version with a 75 kWh battery delivers 217 horsepower, with a range of 622 km and an energy consumption of 13.8 kWh/100 km. The top speed for both variants is limited to 160 km/h.
An important change relates to battery temperature management. Previous generations of the LEAF had batteries cooled passively, which limited charging speed during rapid charges and was one of the most frequently criticized aspects of the model. The new LEAF features an active battery cooling and heating system along with a heat pump—standard in all versions except the base Engage 52 kWh, where they are optional.
Charging – up to 105 or 150 kW
The maximum DC charging power is 105 kW for the 52 kWh battery and 150 kW for the 75 kWh battery. According to the manufacturer, about 15 minutes using a fast charger is sufficient to recharge the battery for 160 km of driving in the smaller variant and up to 284 km in the larger variant. The onboard AC three-phase charger has a power of 11 kW, and the vehicle supports V2L functionality, which allows powering external devices using the traction battery. But that’s not all, as the vehicle is also prepared to utilize V2G (Vehicle to Grid) and V2X (Vehicle to Everything) technologies. For now, this is still in the initial stage of implementation, but Nissan is working on making them available to the public.
Good efficiency, suspension needs improvement
During my first drives in Poland with the new Nissan LEAF, I had the chance to test the version with a small 52 kWh battery. What stands out immediately is its fuel efficiency. When driving slowly on the roads in Masuria at 10°C, the consumption was around 17 kWh/100 km, and even with a more dynamic driving style it never exceeded an average of 19 kWh/100 km.
Other notable features include a precise and well-tuned steering system, a simple interface with physical switches on the steering wheel, and effective reduction of aerodynamic noise. The stiff suspension, noticeably audible noise from under the wheels on wet surfaces, high seating position behind the steering wheel, and limited legroom in the second row of seats are some of the drawbacks.
Price of the new Nissan LEAF – starting at 149,900 PLN
The Polish pricing list includes four trim levels. The Engage version costs 149,900 PLN with a 52 kWh battery and 169,900 PLN with a 75 kWh battery. The Advance version is priced at 162,900 PLN (52 kWh) and 179,900 PLN (75 kWh), the Evolve version at 174,900 PLN and 194,900 PLN, while the top-tier Evolve Plus costs 184,900 PLN and 204,900 PLN. Even the base version comes standard with features such as 360-degree cameras, adaptive cruise control with Stop&Go function, two-zone automatic climate control, e-Pedal mode, and 18-inch wheels.
In the pre-sale, a selection of vehicles is available at 5,000 zł lower than their listed prices – the Advance 52 kWh at 157,900 zł and the Evolve Plus at 179,900 zł (52 kWh) and 199,900 zł (75 kWh) – with a 0% interest loan.
Competitors
The Nissan LEAF will compete with models such as the Skoda Elroq, Volkswagen ID.3, Kia EV3, Hyundai Kona Electric, and Renault Megane E-Tech, and its price is also comparable to cheaper versions of the Tesla Model Y.
Does it have a chance to return to the top?
The third generation of this vehicle has been significantly improved, addressing the biggest weaknesses of its predecessors. It offers much greater range, faster charging, and active battery temperature management, while also being cheaper to purchase than the LEAF from three years ago. However, its DC charging speed is not outstanding compared to competitors. In my opinion, the model’s success will depend primarily on financing options and actual discounts at dealerships. The car itself will meet customers’ expectations, though it’s a shame that more effort wasn’t put into aspects like the charging curve.
Maciej Gis
Photo by Author
