Although it’s far from new, the Leaf’s interior (right) is still fresh thanks to Nissan’s clever design and the update it received for the 2016 model year. The layout is a lot simpler and cleaner than the competition, so you won’t get that high-tech-like feeling you may have in the e-Golf. However, if you enjoy simplicity, this might be thing you need. On the flipside, there’s loads of plastic inside the Leaf and most of it, especially on the center console and upper dashboard, doesn’t look too good. But then again, Nissan didn’t develop this little EV as a premium offering. The additional display atop the instrument cluster is a nice touch, while the upgraded infotainment system brings it up to date. The base model uses a five-inch display with Bluetooth connectivity, audio streaming, hands-free text messaging, and NissanConnect, which includes mobile apps for Facebook, Pandora, and iHeart Radio. Moving up the range, the SV and SL trims add a seven-inch display that supports multi-touch, voice recognition, navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, and additional apps. The graphic interface of the display is also new, while the charging screen information is updated every 12 miles.
Nothing fancy indeed, but it gets the job done. More important changes occured under the hood, where a more powerful electric motor replaced the original unit. Now rated at 134 horsepower and 214 pound-feet of maximum torque, the revised motor sends an extra 19 horsepower and 15 pound-feet to wheels, making the e-Golf faster than ever before. Specifically, the sprint from 0 to 60 mph is achieved in 9.6 seconds, more than a second faster than the outgoing model, while top speed increased from 86 to 93 mph. The lithium-ion battery is brand-new and has an energy capacity of 35.8 kWh, up from 24.2. The range also increased from 83 to 124 miles, which translates to a 50-percent improvement over the original e-Golf. What’s more, the on-board 7.2 kW charger is now standard on both SE and SEL Premium trims, so both models can be charged to 100 percent in less than six hours at a traditional charging station.
When equipped with DC Fast Charging, which is optional on SE and standard on SEL Premium, the battery can be charged to 80 percent within an hour at a DC fast charging station. The Ford Focus might be a good option if you don’t care much about the latest infotainment technology, but it sets the bar pretty low as far as performance goes. Although its electric motor isn’t exactly weak at 123 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of twist, it needs more than 11 seconds to hit 60 mph and tops out at 84 mph. More importantly, its range is rated at only 76 miles, 48 below the e-Golf. There are rumors that Ford is planning to upgrade the car to 100 miles, but that’s still significantly less than the German hatchback. Not to mention that a 100-mile range is by no means competitive in a market where cars like the Chevrolet Bolt and Tesla Model 3 promise to deliver more than 200 miles per charge. The Nissan Leaf is doing a bit better, but it’s also behind the e-Golf.
Powered by an 80-kW AC synchronous electric motor that gets its juice from either a 24-kWh or 30 kWh lithium-ion battery, the Japanese EV comes with 107 horsepower and 187 pound-feet on tap. The maximum EPA-estimated range is 107 miles on a single charge, 23-mile improvement over the previous version. However, the upgrade is only available if you opt for the more expensive SV and SL trims, meaning the entry-level S model still uses the 24-kWh battery pack. A range increase is always good news, but much like Ford, Nissan needs to come up with an electric drivertrain capable of at least 150 in order to remain relevant. The facelift adds numerous driving assists and safety features to the e-Golf, including Traffic Jam Assist and new Pedestrian Monitoring for the Front Assist function with City Emergency Braking. The new safety package also includes Emergency Assist and a refined passenger protection system.
