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Nissan Leaf tested: more mature, but the market has already moved on
The new Leaf improves in driving, range and perceived quality, but it faces newer and tougher rivals.
4 September 2026 1 min read 13 views
The Nissan Leaf returns with a major update: cleaner styling, a more convincing cabin and road manners that finally match the best compact EVs. Range and battery management also take a step forward, making it better suited to everyday use.
The issue, though, is the wider market: this segment is now crowded with fresher alternatives, many of them faster to charge and packed with more technology. The Leaf remains a sensible choice, but it may be arriving late to the game it helped create.