FULL REVIEW: Nissan LEAF - An introduction to the EV lifestyle

Nissan Philippines introduced the Nissan LEAF (Specs | News) to the local market to educate Filipinos about electric vehicles (EVs) and what they can offer as a new mode of transportation.

The unit we got from Nissan Philippines is the latest update for the LEAF for the local market. It comes with minor exterior upgrades and a new price point of ₱1,998,000, a considerable discount over its previous price of ₱2.7 million. 

With its latest price drop, it now raises the question, is the Nissan LEAF worth it in 2023, especially against newer EVs from South Korean and Chinese brands?

Also read: A worthy first EV? 5 Reasons Nissan LEAF is still worth it

Minimalist exterior

The Nissan LEAF has a minimalist exterior with a few cuts and creases on the hatchback's exterior to give it a more angular look.

Aside from its plain exterior, the Japanese automaker has given the EV a new set of wheels that are unique to the vehicle and drive home the point that it's an EV.

Aside from these minor changes, the EV still carries halogen headlights and taillights, which I found odd as other vehicles in the same segment carry LEDs. 

Also Read: SPEC SHOWDOWN: 2023 Nissan LEAF vs. 2023 BYD Dolphin

Simple yet effective interior

The interior of the Nissan LEAF isn’t revolutionary as it sticks to the basics with cloth seats, simple-to-use climate controls, and an 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

You also get access to Nissan’s intelligent mobility suite that gives you an around-view monitor for an easier parking experience. It also gives you adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, lane departure warning, rear-cross traffic alert, high-beam assist, automatic emergency braking, Intelligent Lane Intervention, Intelligent Trace Control, Intelligent Driver Alertness, and the e-Pedal.

The e-Pedal system works well and lets you drive the EV with the accelerator pedal. It takes time to get used to, but once you get it, you will be thankful for the feature as you will get used to the regenerative braking being able to stop the car instead of you pressing on the brake pedal.  

Electric power

Under the hood, the Nissan LEAF has an electric motor that pushes out 150 PS and 320 Nm of torque, with the vehicle coming with around 250 to 300 km worth of range, depending on how you drive it.

Driving the Nissan LEAF feels like any other hatchback that absorbs bumps and road imperfections well. However, it's one weakness is its NVH; without any internal combustion engine, you will hear the tire and wind noise better. It means you may have to crank up the tunes if you don’t want the eerie sound of silence for your commute. 

But, one of the benefits of driving an EV is its instantaneous torque which makes getting up to highway speeds a breeze at the cost of some range. It's a game-changing experience when you floor it as you feel like you are on a rollercoaster ride. The acceleration isn’t brutal, but it's enough to push you to the back of your seat for the entire duration you keep your foot on the floor. 

The EV lifestyle

Range anxiety is a big thing with the Nissan LEAF as the already limited charging infrastructure becomes even more limited thanks to its use of a CHAdeMo charger. Most charging stations in malls and even select gasoline stations use a Type 2 charger which means that they aren’t compatible with the Nissan EV unless you have an adaptor.

It meant that I had to keep an eye on the LEAF range to ensure that I could get from one location to another without needing to charge. It proved difficult, especially when going uphill, as I used more power than expected.

So, driving an electric vehicle requires more planning than usual, but you get the perks of a reasonably fast car and a clean mode of transportation. 

Charging and its struggles

As Nissan LEAF uses a CHAdeMO charger, which is rare in the Philippines, less than a handful of independent charging stations support this plug, with Nissan dealerships making up most of the network. 

While with the LEAF, I tried to go to the Unioil in Guadalupe to charge, but unfortunately, the charging station was out of service. I also tried the Unioil in Congressional Avenue, but they only had a Type 2 charger and standard wall socket for slow charging.

I also tried Robinsons Galleria, as they had a wall socket available for EV charging use, but by the time I got there, another EV was already charging. 

The limited charging options meant that I had to charge the LEAF at home or with wall sockets during its lend-out period with me.

For those wondering, Nissan says that it will take about ₱360 to charge the LEAF from zero to 100 percent, but with the current cost of electricity, it will now cost you around ₱460. Considering the thousands you will need to fuel a gasoline or diesel car, it's still not bad. You can also offset these costs using charging stations or fast-charging the vehicle at specific Nissan dealerships.

Verdict

The Nissan LEAF can be a functional EV for the Philippine market if you invest in a CHAdeMO to Type 2 charger adaptor, costing you between P5,000 to around P17,000. It opens you up to AC and DC fast charging stations in Metro Manila and select provinces, making it easier to use the EV daily.

However, if you are in a situation like mine where I didn’t have access to an adaptor, you will have to make do with the standard AC slow charger with the vehicle. It means limited vehicle use and charging every time you come home. 

Despite this limitation, the Nissan LEAF is a great first EV if you are only looking for a commuter car for the city. Its 250 to 300km range will get you far for your daily commute, and you can keep topping it off whenever you get home. Just make sure to plan your trips accordingly and note the distances accordingly.

The Nissan LEAF is an excellent first EV if you want something Japanese but want to spend less than P2 million. It opens you up to electrified mobility along with its pros and cons. However, if you are willing to wait a while for the charging infrastructure to develop, then the Nissan Ariya, when it arrives, is the ideal EV for you.

After all, the Nissan LEAF will reportedly be discontinued soon in the US,  but only after giving it a Type 2 charger to keep it relevant for a while longer. We only wish Nissan Philippines would bring in that version to take advantage of the local EV infrastructure. 

What do you think of the Nissan LEAF?

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