New Zealand review: Is the Nissan Leaf still a good buy in 2022?

When you think of electric cars in New Zealand, the Nissan Leaf springs to mind. But nowadays there's a lot of competition out there, thanks to high petrol prices.
So, to find out if the new Nissan Leaf stacks up in 2022, Gav took one for a blast, looking at comfort, charging speeds and operating costs.
If you enjoyed this video, be sure to hit the Subscribe button because next week's video reviews an iconic electric car!
Thinking of going electric but don't know where to start? Now that you need a mortgage to buy a tank of petrol or diesel, check out the EV Buyer's Guide to find an electric vehicle in your price range or with your desired range: buyersguide.ec...
And if you're keen on minimising your footprint on our planet's delicate ecosystem, why not switch to using 100% renewable electricity? With Ecotricity you can do that right now!
Plus, you might be surprised to see how much money you'll save, being New Zealand's only CarboNZero certified electricity provider with very competitive rates. Check out www.ecotricity.co.nz to join the future!

[@BradleyTurmel]

the Leaf was really the first "Normal" EV. it just looks like a car, it drives like an car, and it's basically as usable as an car. pretty admirable how it has stayed fairly affordable in the face of all the current more premium EVs.

[@erikbeumer]

Gav, Please review the BYD Atto 3. Would love to see your opinion on it compared to the Nissan Leaf.

[@KiwiEVadventures]

I've put my name in the ring but I'm reeeeeaaaaally far down the reviewing pecking order. If people subscribe and share these videos I'll climb up.

[@benchartrand]

Been really enjoying your videos. This video was quite timely. Been considering the Polestar, Kia EV6, etc but I think we'll end up going for a leaf. It helped hearing your thoughts, especially as you've driven others

[@theunknownunknowns5168]

Hey what's wrong with Palmerston North on a rainy weekend?! Put on a rain jacket grab a umbrella and go for a fantastic walk along the river, esplanade and summerhill tracks.

[@HarmLessSolutionsNZ]

Interesting to note that the first Leafs sold new in NZ for $70K for a 24kWh battery and now you get 60kWh plus more gadgets for the same price (before rebate). Now that battery size/range has reached most owners' range requirements the continuing advances in battery tech will see new EV prices decline, and once they reach price parity with ICEs the decision to go electric will become essentially a no-brainer. Price parity within the next couple of years will also see the residual value of ICEs, including hybrids, evaporate. Best not to be caught with a worthless fossil fueler!

[@PathosBedlam]

Exactly what I've been telling people for years. ICE cars are only going to be worth Scrap value unless they are some extremely popular rare vehicle. Even then, once the fuel is gone for good, they will need to convert to EV to be saleable. If you need to buy a new car and can afford a decent EV like the Model Y then buy it. The Leaf was OK ten years ago, but Chademo is dead and very hard to find. CCS2 is the new standard. No point getting stuck with a car you can only charge at home.

[@charlie737300]

Are you able to review the BYD, looking at the prices expected, the leaf may have competition.. love your work a big fan of this..

[@akie64]

Excellent upload, thank you!!! I really want to go electric and the LEAF seems to be the most accessible ev with so many choices available. I've driven the 3rd gen and must honestly say, I found it a blast, loads of fun and quicker than expectation. GO The Nissan LEAF!

[@kapitievs]

Sensible it is! Another great video Gavin.

[@Telcontarnz]

A trailblazing car…not competitive these days. Within $5k of a model Y makes it a difficult to justify a Leaf over a Tesla now.

[@peterjorgensen3]

I thought the batteries were completely uncooled? Just a sealed battery, no fans or air cooling?

[@RacingAnt]

If all you want is sensible, family transport, the MG ZS EV has that one licked. 51kwh pack for $42k, after rebate. It also charges at 70kwh. The BYD Atto 3 is also cheaper, with a bigger range, and faster charging, but might be a tad exciting for a prospective leaf buyer The e+ just looks too expensive next to a Tesla. Yes, the leaf is a competent car. But the competition is either cheaper, or way better for a few $$$ more. A model 3 will be worth way more in 5 years time. Now, that truly is sensible.

[@baronsilverbaron757]

MG is too slow. My 62 kWh Leaf does 0 - 60 in 6.7 seconds.

[@RacingAnt]

@@baronsilverbaron757 your 62kwh Leaf is around $20k more expensive than the MG. I was comparing the 40kwh Leaf, which is still more expensive than the MG, but more comparable in performance. If you're after a performance EV, you don't buy a leaf. Even the 40kwh version struggles to put down the torque.

[@britishmalayasociety]

@@RacingAnt I think then, the Atto 3 would be the better competitor, slightly cheaper, faster charging, thermal management on the batteries, slightly higher range, V2L.

[@gregandkaruna6674]

Nah MG4 all the way up to 64kwh battery up to 135kw charge speed and a very impressive 150kw motor all for less than the MG ZS EV. Only negative is NZ will not see it until 2023

[@kalisto333]

Nissan should really start making Ariya available to the NZ market quite annoying really nothing but media on their webpage. Umm, who else has a car similar in NZ now?

[@ericwolff6059]

Nice car, except for the dead cows, and price. I don't know anyone who could possibly afford a new car, so have to wait years for these to come through as second hand,by which time battery degradation will be a problem, possibly, especially if they sell under $10G

[@PiefacePete46]

A fellow Kiwi (New Zealander to the uninformed), I bought a Kia Niro EV (2023 model), four and a half months ago. We are on an electricity supply contract that includes free electricity to the whole property from 9pm to midnight. The car is plugged in daily to a standard household 10amp power outlet, and the built-in charger only charges during the free period. (Easily overridden by pushing a button beside the plug). We have travelled 4000 km (2485 miles), and spent a total of NZD12.74 (USD7.40, UKL6.10). Most of our motoring is local... there is one five hour trip, one four hour trip, and six two hour trips included in this. My guess is that the Leaf would be similar or better than this. As a forty-year BMW driver, I expected remorse at my choice... hasn't happened yet! 👍 😜

[@ThalassTKynn]

If I wasn't so hooked on subarus I would have got an old leaf when I bought my last car. The newer ones are pretty nice for a conventional car, as you say.

[@Pstaines439]

Gavin, I'm so impressed with your reviews. 'Trusting a toilet in a dream' was pure gold. I'd go as far to say I enjoyed this review more than any other on the whole Internet! Also a shout out to Nissan for keeping the hinged 'one hand' charger 'caps' which are so. Ugh easier to use than the tethered caps that Hyundai and others have.

[@smileychess]

That toilet in a dream bit made me laugh so hard I had to pause it.

[@jaydensteyn1359]

Honestly I am just glad it looks better than the old one

[@continental_drift]

Thanks Gavin, the car seems to be better than I thought it was.

[@andynicholson5324]

Like watching your videos. Nice bit about HAPINZ report. I contributed to recent parliament paper on car emissions making recommendations on incorporating emissions testing into WOF instead of relying on manufacturer data. I see so many older cars that would not pass an emissions test like the one we had in the UK MOT . Hopefully some big changes will be implemented to reduce those figures .

[@stevencrosbie6026]

“Like a toilet in a dream, do I trust it?” 😂 Also, no comment about the poor visibility out the back like on other reviews I’ve seen you do.

[@HarmLessSolutionsNZ]

Also worth noting that the Leaf (2013 and later) are the only EV currently available in NZ with V2G/V2H capability, thanks to manufacturing mandates implemented in Japan in the wake of Fukushima. The only other vehicles that can also do this are the Mitsubishi PHEVs due to their also having CHAdeMO charging ports. All other EVs are limited to V2L which is fine if emergency supply for an appliance or two is required but a poor second to V2G if blackout protection for your home is what you're after. Admittedly V2G is still struggling to gain traction in many countries including NZ & AU but the Leaf is ahead of the game in this respect so ready to rock when regulatory restrictions and supporting bidirectional charging come up to speed.

[@DarrylTalks]

I heard there was a problem with charging compatibility on the 300kW chargers. I don't know if they ever worked it out. They opted to limit the CHAdeMO to 50kW so that the chargers would remain compatible with older cars. The 62kWh Leaf Plus should be able to charge at up to 100kW, but it won't on those chargenet chargers. The Leaf plus may be able to charge quicker on some other chargers, of which, at this time, there are not many, in New Zealand..

[@AussieTVMusic]

But does it have a cassette player?

[@yasserafiq]

Half of your videos that I've watched have been filmed in the rain 🤣. Auckland weather!!!

[@peterjorgensen3]

Your videos are awesome and make me happy!

[@karora]

Actually it does have automatic lanekeeping - or it does if it's like my 2021 model - but you've got to turn it on in the menus.

[@pinkelephants1421]

Colour coordinating footwear with review vehicles now Gavin? 😉😁🤭

[@suad01]

Seems like the 10% premium for the e+ is well worth it.

[@ObiePaddles]

An even better buy in late 2024!

[@MissyMooss]

Do you think u would ever buy a Tesla Model s Plaid when it’s out in nz ?

[@sara.cbc92]

This or the Atto3?

[@jaydensteyn1359]

Do you reckon you could do a comparison between the New Nissan Leaf and the MG ZS EV

[@rexjamo]

Half a billion Leafs??? I don't think so.

[@KiwiEVadventures]

Yeah, sorry mate. Got my millions and billions mixed up. If I had a reputation to lose, I'd have lost it ages ago.

[@justanotherriderNZ]

Are you going to review the BYD Atto3 that is now in NZ and the 1st lot of deliveries will be in couple of weeks?

[@gregandkaruna6674]

Why wait? They have lots of demo cars already, I drove one last week, nice EV, hate the software but very smooth, although the lane keep assist needs improving. Forget the claimed range of 500km our test car was 100% full and was showing 401km but that quickly dropped probably 350km is realistic. $59k is too expensive, would be good value at $50k

[@allenh2972]

Hi does anyone know how much to cost for replacing a complete battery for a 2018 leaf 40kw? Im thinking to buy one however worry about the battery on a used car？

[@thorgraum1462]

It does have lane keeping..

[@Brutale587]

If you buy this over a Model 3 you are making a BIG mistake.

[@gregandkaruna6674]

Big fail vs Japanese import Leaf as no NZ new Leaf get Propilot and the NZ model still uses a foot parking brake! Think the first NZ new Nissan with Propilot is going to be the new Qashquai.

[@continental_drift]

Oi! what's wrong with a 2 seater sports car? We feel oppressed.

[@alexdhutanu]

Tesla 3 for 68k after rebate over this any day, the Leaf has dried

[@clearnewview]

My gas burner is paid for.

[@kentyfriedicecr]

I requested this hehe.

[@kentyfriedicecr]

2 months ago. Now let's see a Prius and Honda fit review!!!!!!

[@FentoZ]

No , no liquid cooled batteries , battery degrades faster than ice in a desert heat wave

[@gregandkaruna6674]

Total rubbish my 8 year old Leaf is about the same degradation as other EV of similar age and it has a tiny 24kwh battery the bigger the battery the slower the degradation. No where in NZ gets hot enough to risk over heating the battery. Age is the enemy of batteries

[@jasonlane4042]

Sorry I would rather have a Tesla over a leaf any day

[@clearnewview]

Wait for the real game changer, Aptera.

[@rexjamo]

They are going to be great. We'll be waiting a long time though. Prototypes are easy, mass production is hard. 🤣

[@clearnewview]

1000 watts of solar panels...?

[@clearnewview]

After all the low quality crap Nissan has put on the market, I would never spend a penny on their products.

[@johnhornblow4347]

Eh? 150,000km with our leaf. Only service costs are wiper blades and tires...