Nissan Leaf 2022 Review

In 2022, Malaysia's pure electric sedan market continues to expand. Mainstream brands are competing around endurance, intelligent configuration, and cost-effectiveness. As one of the earlier pure electric models to enter the market, the 2022 Public version of the Nissan Leaf has drawn much attention with its recent update. The key selling points of this car lie in improved endurance, upgraded intelligent driving assistance, and space optimization that is more suitable for daily use. Many consumers are curious whether it can maintain competitiveness among models in the same price range. Our main purpose for this test drive is to verify whether these upgrades truly address user pain points and evaluate its actual performance on Malaysian roads.

From a distance, the 2022 version of the Leaf Public retains the overall style of smooth and flowing lines. This design not only reduces wind resistance but also makes the car body appear more compact and flexible. At the front, the closed front grille paired with Nissan's signature V-Motion chrome trim has high recognition. The split-designed headlights include LED daytime running lights on top and matrix LED headlights below that support automatic activation and adaptive high & low beam, providing good lighting effects at night. The side of the car features a double waistline design extending from the front to the rear, paired with 17-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels for a more dynamic look. The recessed styling on the lower part of the doors adds a sense of layering. At the rear, the main highlight is the longitudinally-integrated LED tail lights, which have a strong recognition when lit up. The diffuser design on the lower part of the rear bumper, combined with the hidden exhaust (as it’s an electric vehicle), maintains the clean style associated with new energy vehicles. The overall design is harmonious and suits contemporary aesthetics.

Inside the car, the interior adopts a wraparound layout, with the center console tilted towards the driver for easier operations. The upper part of the center console is covered with soft-touch materials, paired with piano black trim and silver accents, enhancing the texture compared to the old model. The 10.25-inch floating central screen is the core of the interior, equipped with the Nissan Connect intelligent system, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless connections, while navigation and multimedia operations are smooth. Some physical buttons remain below for easier blind operation while driving. The three-spoke multifunction steering wheel is wrapped in leather, offering a comfortable grip. The left buttons control driving assistance functions, while the right buttons manage multimedia and phone calls. The seats are wrapped in faux leather, with the front seats supporting electric adjustment and heating functions. The cushions and backrests offer good support, making long drives less tiring.

In terms of body dimensions, the Leaf Public measures 4490mm in length, 1788mm in width, and 1540mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2700mm, placing it in the compact sedan category. The front-row space performs well; a passenger with a height of 175cm can achieve a proper seating posture, leaving a fist of headroom available. The rear space is moderate, with around two fists of legroom and one fist of headroom, sufficient for daily family use. Regarding storage space, the front central armrest box offers moderate volume, and the door storage compartments can accommodate two bottles of water. The trunk provides a standard capacity of 435 liters, which can be expanded to 1176 liters by folding down the rear seats to store large items. Additionally, the rear row is equipped with air-conditioning vents and USB charging ports, enhancing practicality.

In terms of power, the Leaf Public is equipped with a front permanent magnet synchronous motor with a maximum power of 110kW (150 horsepower) and a maximum torque of 320N·m, paired with a single-speed gearbox. It offers three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. In Eco mode, power output is relatively smooth, suitable for daily commuting; Normal mode provides moderate power response with linear acceleration; in Sport mode, power output is more direct, achieving 0-100km/h acceleration in approximately 7.9 seconds, providing confidence during overtaking. The battery capacity is 40kWh, with an NEDC range of 311km. In our test on mixed urban and highway roads in Malaysia, with the air conditioning on full, the actual range was about 270km, achieving 87% of the advertised range, which meets expectations. In terms of charging, using a 6.6kW home charging station takes 6.5 hours to fully charge the battery, while using a 50kW DC fast charger takes 40 minutes to charge from 30% to 80%, meeting daily charging needs.

In terms of driving and handling, the Leaf Public's steering wheel is precise with minimal play, light at low speeds, and stable at high speeds, aligning well with its positioning as a family car. The suspension system uses a front MacPherson independent setup and a rear multi-link independent suspension, tuned toward comfort. When going over speed bumps or uneven road surfaces, it effectively absorbs shocks, ensuring passengers inside the car do not feel significant jolts. During cornering, the body roll is controlled within a reasonable range, providing good stability. Regarding noise control, wind noise and tire noise are slightly noticeable at high speeds but remain within an acceptable range; the noise from the motor operation is minimal, and the NVH performance meets the standards of this class. The energy recovery system has three adjustable levels; the highest level provides strong recovery, decelerating significantly when the accelerator is released, thereby increasing range; the lowest level mimics the coasting feel of a fuel car, making it easier to adapt to driving habits.

As a compact pure electric sedan, the core strengths of the Leaf Public lie in its high range attainment rate, practical smart features, comprehensive driver assistance systems (equipped with ProPILOT 2.0 driver assistance, supporting full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, automatic emergency braking, etc.), and Nissan's brand reliability. Compared with competitors in the same class, such as the Volkswagen ID.3 and BYD Yuan PLUS, the Leaf Public has certain advantages in range performance and driver assistance features, while also being more affordable.

Overall, the 2022 Nissan Leaf Public is a well-balanced electric family sedan. Its range can meet the needs of daily commuting and short trips, and its space and features cater to family demands. The driving assistance systems enhance safety. It is suitable for families who value practicality and reliability, especially those with a daily commute of under 50km and access to home charging infrastructure. If you're looking for an affordable, stable-range, pure electric family car, the Leaf Public is worth considering.