Nissan offers both electric and conventional models in the compact segment. Reason enough for ntv.de to take a closer look at the Leaf and Qashqai offers.
As has been heard, Nissan can’t complain about a lack of interest in its almost traditional Leaf electric model at the moment. It has been offered since 2010, making it one of the electric pioneers – the second generation has been available since 2017. Nissan advertises the king-size compact (it is almost four and a half meters long) as a “family car”. But at least it can be considered family-friendly, because it starts with 33,400 euros in the base – and here the support of currently 6750 euros has not even been deducted.
However, there is then only 39 kWh power storage, you have to think about that, because in this case the range is limited: 270 kilometers nominal in the combined WLTP discipline.
But as it is – in practice, the range quickly shrinks, depending on many factors such as the outside temperature or the topography. Nissan plays it safe and makes the version with the large battery (59 kWh) available as a test car. Here the work speaks of a combined range of 385 kilometers, so you can work.
But please don’t let this unsettle you, it actually depends on the exact purpose – if you hardly ever cover long distances anyway, you can get along well with the small battery. However, the Japanese also connect the motor power with the power storage size. There is a basic 150 hp, while the candidate with 59 kWh puts a whopping 217 hp on the road.
And that’s so much that the compact front-wheel drive vehicle has trouble putting this power onto the road at all. Scraping wheels are not uncommon with the Leaf under a lead foot from a standing start. On the other hand, the 217 hp version impresses with its high elasticity and makes you happy with its powerful acceleration – it only takes 6.9 seconds for the Stromer to reach country road speeds, but it only runs at a top speed of 157 km/h. However, the strong variant costs at least 41,100 euros (without funding) – no small matter.
It would also be important to know that the Leaf is expressly not a charging performer. And even more important to know: Instead of CCS (the new Nissan Arya can certainly do CCS), the Leaf uses a Chademo connection, which is more common in Asia than in this country. Nevertheless, Germany does have a dense Chademo charging network, which is not nearly as close-knit as the nationwide CCS network. You should take this fact into account when planning your trip – but you won’t be stranded if you drive carefully.
The question is rather: Do you want to be on the road longer at all with the Leaf? Why not, the driving experience seems a little synthetic, which does not identify him as particularly active. But cruising moderately on the highway – the Leaf is suitable for that. The chassis could work a bit smoother, the seats could do with a touch more contour, but the space is very okay.
Or would you prefer the Qashqai as an all-rounder? If you want to take your time with the electric car, you will at least find the right drive here. For example, the mildly hybridized 1.3 liter with four cylinders and a thoroughly cultivated running. With 158 hp, the approximately 1.5-ton SUV is not a sports cannon, but it is also not a lame thing – the factory gives the all-wheel drive version with automatic 9.9 seconds for the sprint to 100 km/h and a top speed of 198 km/h. But a pretty useful box, because with almost 1500 liters of cargo space, the Qashqai does not have to shy away from visiting hardware stores. Nissan does without a third seat – and prefers to offer a fair amount of space on the second.
And that actually works: It’s easy to forget that the Qashqai is a compact class. Instead, it looks stately and feels like a full-fledged all-rounder. One that deserves the title in particular when it rolls to the start with two driven axles. On request, it has the coveted feature that the strong Leaf sorely lacks and that cannot be bought for money with the Stromer.
Because while the Leaf’s engine clogs the tires with a massive 340 Newton meters even on non-slip, dry asphalt, the all-wheel drive seems downright underchallenged here with 270 Newton meters. Of course, that changes suddenly when the Qashqai has to cross a wet meadow. Even on wet roads (especially with slippery leaves), the 4×4 variant pays off in the form of safe progress, in snow anyway.
The Qashqai damping works a bit more binding than that of the Leaf. The emphasis here is definitely on the comfortable gait, which also underlines the edition with automatic transmission. Since the machine works steplessly, there can be no jerking when changing gear ratios. However, programmed translation values prevent the petrol engine from stalling at high speeds. Especially since that would not sound particularly good with this rather thin-sounding engine.
Since the 4×4 is not available under the “N-Connecta” line (40,960 euros), its price is quite fair. The infotainment group in particular should be happy given the 12.3-inch larger display (usually 8 inches) plus as much display space for the instrument cluster. In addition, there is a 360-degree camera. LED headlights, keyless locking system and cruise control are also free.
The much more powerful Leaf is also launched as the “N-Connecta” at the unsubsidized basic price of 41,100 euros. And while the Leaf has to make do with a little less infotainment – its touchscreen is basically eight inches in size – it offers more playground for assisted driving: the adaptive cruise control is standard.
The petrol-fired SUV does not go away empty-handed – this assistant is also available for around 1200 euros. This package also includes features such as automatic high beam (adaptive), head-up display and active steering. The Leaf does not have a head-up display, but its instrument cluster still has a fairly large display. And another speedometer scale with a classic mechanical display – meanwhile a rare commodity, but found by so many drivers to be good.
Which option to choose in the end, Leaf or Qashqai? It depends on. With its large trunk equipped with a clever storage system, the Qashqai is the better “transporter”, but in return it is even the more compact car with a length of 4.43 meters (Leaf: 4.49 meters). The Leaf, on the other hand, is one of the cheap electric cars that are still fully-fledged thanks to the large battery and generous amount of space. He also trumps the Qashqai with his poisonous sprint stats.
Although it is currently not possible to make a reliable forecast as to which one will be cheaper over the course of the car’s life (especially in terms of maintenance), but even assuming high electricity prices, the maintenance of the BEV is significantly cheaper, which compensates for potentially higher electricity costs. In the end, of course, it’s also a question of personal preference as to whether you’d rather be silent or drive with a combustion engine. It’s nice that Nissan still leaves the choice to the customer.