Can’t wait for the new Nissan Leaf? The old one is still worth a look!
October 10, 2025 by Jamie Edkins
Car changing is a big deal
The all-new Nissan Leaf is nearly here, but it won’t hit UK streets until next year. Can’t wait that long? News Editor Jamie Edkins reckons there’s still a case to be made for the old one.
This is the new Nissan Leaf, and it’s shaping up to be one of the best electric cars on the market. I was impressed by the interior and technology when I went to look at the car back in the summer, and senior reviews writer Mario Christou was equally smitten with the way it drives.
The new Leaf will go on sale in early 2026, but what if you can’t wait that long? Well there is a case to be made for both the first and second-generation Leaf, depending on your needs, so I’m going to walk you through each version of this electric car to help you decide which is right for you.
Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
Every Nissan Leaf – quick facts
| Feature | Mk1 Nissan Leaf | Mk2 Nissan Leaf | Mk3 Nissan Leaf |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current price | From £1,500 | From £7,500 | £33,000 (TBC) |
| Price when new | £26,000 | £28,500 | N/A |
| Claimed range | 124 miles | 168-239 miles | 272-386 miles |
| Real-world range | 60 miles (est) | 200 miles (est) | 300 miles (est) |
New Nissan Leaf – the best all-rounder
The new Nissan Leaf is the best the brand has built. Mario flew out to Copenhagen in October to get behind the wheel, and he was impressed by just how comfortable this car is to drive. It’s in no way sporty or fun, but as a comfy cruiser it’s brilliant.
He found it easy to drive in town thanks to the light steering and shorter dimensions compared to the old Leaf, and it’s relaxing on the motorway as well. The suspension also does a great job of soaking up bumps in the road, whether it’s a suburban speedhump or a pothole on a faster-moving road.
I also had the chance to poke around the new Leaf, and I found the interior to be a huge step up in quality over the old one. That’s not to say the previous Leaf felt flimsy, quite the opposite, but there were a lot of hard and scratchy plastics. The new one feels much more plush, with a soft-touch dashboard and door cards, as well as a more modern design.
The rear seats are a touch cramped though, especially for me at 6’3”, and the boot isn’t as capacious as a Kia EV3 or a Skoda Elroq.
This new Leaf can go further on a charge than any of its predecessors, with a claimed range of up to 386 miles according to Nissan. During his drive in Denmark, Mario managed to average 4.2 miles per kWh. That equates to just over 300 miles in the real world.
Prices for the new Leaf are yet to be announced, but we reckon it’ll cost around £33,000 when it goes on sale next year. It could also be one of very few cars eligible for the full £3,750 government electric car grant, because it’ll be built in Nissan’s factory in Sunderland.
Previous Nissan Leaf – the second-hand bargain
If you can’t wait until next year, the second-generation Nissan Leaf is still worth a look. It may not be as stylish as the new one, and the interior isn’t quite as posh, but it’s still spacious, comfortable and you can get one for as little as £7,500 through Carwow.
It’s really well-equipped for the money as well. All cars get key safety kit like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and autonomous emergency braking, while desirable optional extras such as a 360-degree camera and front and rear parking sensors are easy to find on many Leaf cars for sale.
Out on the road, the old Leaf can still hold its own. Like the new car, it’s not much fun on a twisty road – but it’s more focussed on comfort than thrills. Around town it handles bumps pretty well, although it’s not quite as comfortable as the new car.
The range isn’t as impressive either. The longest-range model is the E+, and that car can do 239 miles on a charge according to official stats. In reality, you’re likely to see closer to 200 miles, but that’s still more than enough for most people’s daily needs.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that the previous Leaf uses the old style CHAdeMO DC charging connector, and these are both slower and less readily available than the new CCS connector you get on the new Leaf. If you do regular long distance motorway slogs, you may be better off looking elsewhere.
First-generation Nissan Leaf – still has its uses
The first-generation Nissan Leaf was one of the first electric cars to properly take off in the UK when it was launched back in 2010, and it was revolutionary when it was new.
It was spacious inside, comfortable to drive and it had loads of standard equipment. When new, the Leaf had a claimed range of 124 miles. That seems pathetic in 2025, but 15 years ago it was pretty decent.
Thing is, nowadays a Mk1 Nissan Leaf won’t do anything like 124 miles on a charge. We actually lived with one for well over a year, and it managed 60 miles on a charge at most.
That rules this car out as a long-distance commuter, but as a runaround in town there is still a case to be made for this old electric car. There’s plenty of interior space for the school run, it’s a relaxing car to waft around in and it’s surprisingly easy to charge.
If you have a driveway, a full charge from a three-pin socket takes four or five hours – that’s the benefit of having a small 24kWh battery. We just trailed the cable out of a window during the day, and it only needed charging once a week when on urban driving duties.
But the price is what makes this car really appealing – because we paid just £1,500 for our Leaf. It’s a fantastic second car, and it’s dirt cheap to run. I’d have one of these over a Citroen Ami any day of the week.
In conclusion
The Nissan Leaf gets better with every passing generation, and the latest car is well worth waiting for if you’re after a brilliant all-round electric car. It looks great, it’s comfortable and it’s really efficient as well.
The second-generation model is worth looking at if you want an affordable EV for pootling around town, but still need to make the odd 100-mile motorway trip. If all you want is a second car for running around the city, check out the first-generation Leaf.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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