Nissan’s long-running model facelifted for 2023 and launched in Malaysia, the new Nissan Leaf.

Alias ZE1, the updated second-generation e-hatchback is largely identical in specification to its pre-facelift model (2019). 

Fully-imported (CBU) from Japan, it arrives in a single variant, priced at MYR 168,888 on-the-road and without insurance. 

Each purchase comes with a three-year/100,000 KM vehicle warranty, and an eight-year/160,000 KM battery warranty.

Seven exterior colours (Stealth Grey, Akatsuki Sunrise Copper, Opera Mauve, Vivid Blue, Burgundy, Pure White Pearl, Midnight Black) are available, with all options coming in a dual-tone outlook (roof - Super Black).

Weighing in at 1,580 KG, the new Nissan Leaf stands at 4,480 MM long, 1,790 MM wide, 1,540 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,690 MM.

Striking from every angle, its subtly redesigned exterior exudes sleek lines and a dramatically edgy outlook.

Its front end features a new bumper, with Nissan’s signature new three-dimensional V-Motion grille finished in all-black, adorning an updated Nissan emblem.

The updated rear end is edgily sculpted and sporty looking, fitted with new elements that harmonises with the front nicely.

Featured is a new bumper integrated with a grey-accent diffuser, and a new minimalistic roof-edge aero spoiler.

The headlamps are very sharply-shaped, and new are the black inserts serving as the background. Installed are LED units with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL).

Slightly wrapped-around, the tail lamps get an inverted arrow-esque design, blending in with the rear layout well. Installed are LED combination units.

The side mirrors with integrated LED turn signals feature a dual power adjustment and auto folding functions.

Cruises on a set of newly redesigned 17-Inch two-tone black accent, five-multi-spoke alloy rims, wrapped in 215/50 R17 tyres.

Dashboard of the new Nissan Leaf is simple and airy. It sees soft-touch paddings, featuring an upholstery colour choice of Graphite Black and Stone Grey.

Dialling it back, it utilises physical dials for some of the accessibilities, instead of the contemporary, futuristic-esque touch screens and touch-sensitive panels.

All the elements are placed strategically and driver centric, for a better driving experience. Overall, the craftsmanship is satisfactory. 

Installed is a digital-analogue instrument cluster, paired with a seven-Inch Multi-Information Display (MID).

The leather and suede combination seats come with an upholstery colour choice of Graphite Black and Stone Grey.

Front seats feature manual adjustments, while the rear seats get a 60:40 split-folding configuration.

Head and shoulder spaces are adequate, and while the front legroom is a bit snug, the rear legroom is spacious. Considering it to be a C-segment e-hatchback, space in the cabin is satisfactory.

Fitted is a three-spoke flat bottom leather steering wheel with multi-switch functions (Audio, Advanced Drive Assist Display (ADAD), Bluetooth, Cruise Control), tilt and telescopic adjustments, and a Vehicle-Speed-Sensitive Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

Sufficient storage areas are present. A decent-sized glove box, side door pockets, backseat pockets, and centre console compartments.

There are two cup holders located at the front centre console, and two bottle holders located at each front side door pockets.

It comes with one USB-A port and one 12-V power socket, located at the front centre console.

It has up to 435-Litres (seats up) and 1,176-Litres (seats down) of boot space. 

The new Nissan Leaf features the Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM) suite of Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS), comprising of Intelligent Forward Collision Warning and Emergency Braking, Intelligent Around View Monitor and Moving Object Detection, Intelligent Lane Intervention and Lane Departure Warning, Intelligent Rear View Mirror, Intelligent Driver Alertness, Intelligent Ride Control, Intelligent Trace Control, High Beam Assist and Cruise Control. 

Passive safety includes six airbags (two-front, two-side, two-curtain), three-point seat belts (reminder, pretensioner, force limiter), ISOFIX (top tether), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), 360-degree and reverse camera, parking sensors (front, rear), and a regenerative braking system.

Five drive modes accessible via the Drive Mode Selector - e-Pedal, D Mode, B Mode, ECO Mode, and B ECO Mode. 

It is installed with an eight-Inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wired connectivity, USB-A, Bluetooth, voice recognition, and other vehicle settings.

The Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM) suite of ADAS, along with the accompanying systems will make the emission-free driving experience a light and breezy task, and most importantly, safer.

Besides that, to overcome any vision-obstruction in the cabin, the ‘Intelligent Rear View Mirror’ system helps by utilising a rear spoiler integrated digital camera that provides live feeds to the interior rear-view mirror.

Fitted in the new Nissan Leaf is the familiar EM57 synchronous electric motor, front-mounted, generating an output of 148 HP/110-KW and 320 NM of torque.

Married to the e-motor is a single-speed reduction automatic transmission.

All power is transmitted to the front wheels. 

Zero to 100 KM/H is done in 7.9 seconds and top speed is 155 KM/H. 

Juicing up the system is a 40-KWH Lithium-Ion battery, providing up to 311 KM of driving range (NEDC).

Fully charging the 350-V battery via AC charger (Type 2 – 6.6-KW) takes seven hours, while via DC fast charger (CHAdeMO – 50-KW) takes an hour.

Also, included is a portable cable, offering three-pin AC charging with a Type 2 connector at 3.6-KW. A full charge takes about 12 hours. 

The new Nissan Leaf comes with Nissan Intelligent Key with immobiliser and Push Start button, auto headlamps, intermittent wipers with time adjustment, steering wheel (multi-switch functions, tilt, telescopic), single-zone automatic air-conditioning with timer, parking sensors (front, rear), parking camera (360-degree, reverse), digital interior rear-view mirror, electronic parking brake, and cargo area tonneau cover.

The ride quality is good, providing responsive handling, and the seats are supportive and well-bolstered.

Its emission-free drive is safe and suitable as a daily driver or for long adventures. This is courtesy of the comprehensive ADAS, flexible cargo space, and the drive modes.

Good sound insulation with the NVH aspects accounted for. The cabin is able to suppress unwanted noises well and make them barely noticeable, even when cruising through bumpy asphalts.