Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf is a pretty good way to get into electric vehicle ownership, because it has strong performance and a sleek design, although you’ll need to spend a decent amount extra to get the best range, mind you.

Gone are the days when buying an electric car marked you out as some kind of automotive pioneer. Not any more; having an EV is a bit like having a reusable face mask – you’re doing the right thing but don’t need to shout about it.

It’s a similar story inside, where you’ll find a fairly unassuming, yet nicely laid out cabin. Entry-level models look pretty plain, but higher-spec cars come with some partial leather seats with blue stitching to spruce things up a bit.

Appropriately for a futuristic electric car, you don’t have to fork out for any of the Nissan Leaf’s infotainment tech. Sat-nav, smartphone mirroring and a digital driver’s display all come as standard. It’s just a shame that the 8-inch touchscreen isn’t particularly responsive.

Acenta

The Acenta trim represents the best value. This trim level adds technology to the safety features of Visia trim. You get Nissan’s seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with sat nav which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system also comes with a reversing camera. You also get adaptive cruise control and 16-inch alloy wheels replace the steel wheels on the Visia grade.

N-Connecta

The N-Connecta trim adds upgraded looks, comfort and technology. You get heated part-leather seats, heated steering wheel and a 360-degree parking camera. On the outside, you get 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels and privacy rear glass. This is on top of a seven-inch touchscreen with sat-nav and smartphone mirroring plus a raft of safety assists.

Tekna

The Tekna trim is the top-spec Leaf so it gets Nissan's autonomous driving assistant as standard as well as full leather heated front and rear seats. You also get an updated sound system by Bose with seven speakers, dual zone climate control, cruise control, keyless entry and go, auto wipers and the e-Pedal system. All that, plus a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with sat-nav, a 360-degree parking camera and smartphone mirroring as well. On the outside, you get 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels, privacy rear glass and automatic fully LED headlights

e+ N-Connecta

e+ Tekna

Pick an E+ Tekna version of the nissan leaf  and you get 17-inch alloy wheels, partial leather and man-made suede seats, a 360-degree surround-view camera, tinted rear windows and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with built-in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, Bluetooth connectivity and satellite navigation. You also get heated seats and a heated steering wheel, LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking and a system that'll accelerate, brake and steer for you in traffic jams.