Nissan’s Leaf took the crown for 2024 Car of the Year. Twenty-seven previous winners stood in its path, but the new EV cut through the noise. The reason for the win isn’t complicated. It’s about happiness. Or at least the promise of it.
The Leaf prioritizes owner needs above all else. It aims for well-being, and in doing so, it became the outstanding family electric vehicle. Performance numbers are strong too, class-leading or highly competitive across the board.
What about range?
Even Goldilocks might approve of the 386 miles the extended-range model delivers. Not too much to break the bank, not so little that you panic during long drives.
It’s hard to find a competitor that matches that specific package. Range. Horsepower (215bhp). Efficiency at 4.5 miles per kilowatt-hour. And price. After the government grant, the 75kWh battery version costs £32,250. Stick with the standard 52kWh model? You’re down to £28,850.
But specs aren’t the whole story. They rarely are.
How does it feel?
The ride quality stands out. It’s plush, comfortable, but the car still reacts when you turn the wheel. Nissan’s engineering lets the vehicle follow your inputs smoothly without feeling loose. The interior feels calm, clean. Big screens sit low in the dash, intuitive to use but not intrusive. Google runs the system here, which means electric route planning works well. Gemini AI chimes in to help.
Some flaws exist. The air conditioning buttons have a haptic response that feels a bit vague. The gear selector feels like it needs a better quality finish. Mind you, you get Nissan’s ProPilot Level 2 driver assist standard. A 360-degree camera helps when parking. A heat pump keeps your range high.
Compact yet capable
The car itself is small, only 4.35 meters long, but don’t let that fool you. Rear seats are good for adults. The boot is decent. The design is smart too—a crossover with a coupe-like glass roof but enough bulk to feel like a proper SUV.
UK Built
Design happened in London. Engineering support came from Cranfield in Beds. Final assembly took place near Sunderland. Parts fed the line from the UK’s first and only battery gigafactories. That makes the Leaf a British win for the UK market. Auto Express awarded it their title because it deserves it.
The Leaf proves you don’t need maximum specs to win. You need to solve real problems for real drivers.
Auto Express invites you to configure a Leaf now via their Buy A Car service. Deals exist for new models, and used options offer better value. See all 2026 award winners in the gallery or read the special collectors’ edition of Auto Express, available in shops. Digital editions work too, on tablets or phones. Subscribe to stay updated on car news from 2025 forward, follow their social channels, and maybe ask yourself: do you really need another supercar if the Leaf this happy?
The choice is yours, the road is long, and the Leaf is waiting.
