2011 Nissan Leaf One Week In: Five Things We Like

By Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Contributing Writer BIO

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield is a self-confessed petrol head. She grew up in a carless family but was able at a very early age to name cars passing her on... More

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The First customers (and fans) of the 2011 Nissan Leaf in the U.K.

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As you may have seen earlier this week, I’ve been a proud owner of a 2011 Nissan Leaf since late last month. Today marks ten days since we took delivery.  

We’ve already shared the five things that we hate about the 2011 Leaf, so now it’s time to share the things we really like. 

Level 3 Fast Charging Is a Game-Changer

Remember the days when an electric car took all day to recharge? So do we. 

At the top of our favorite list is the ultra-fast charge option on SL models. Capable of charging the Leaf from empty to 80% full, or 50-100% full in less than 30 minutes, it revolutionizes the way the Leaf can be driven. 

That is, if you happen to live near any $20,000 level 3 fast chargers. With so few in the wild, the bonus of ultra-fast charging is one that not every Leaf owner gets to share. 

Admittedly, Nissan warns against excessive use of its fast chargers, but for those who need the occasional fast-charge to make longer trips possible we can’t fault the system and wish it came standard of every electric car. 

Fast Charging 2011 Nissan Leaf

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Road Noise Really is Minimal

It’s easy to speed in the 2011 Nissan Leaf, not because of its 80 kilowatt motor, but because of the just how quiet the car is at speed. 

Part of the Leaf’s low noise comes from the obvious lack of an internal combustion engine, but looking beyond that the specially designed windshield wipers, headlamps and wing mirrors all help to reduce the wind noise the Leaf creates driving along. 

The net result is a car which is calming to drive and which encourages energy efficient driving. 

Smooth, Instant Power Delivery

Thanks to the lack of conventional gearbox, the 2011 Nissan Leaf accelerates smoothly from standstill, enabling quick getaways off the stop light and instant torque for overtaking maneuvers. 

Unlike the lag present on hybrids like the 2011 Toyota Prius, the throttle response is instantaneous, meaning you’re never left in a sticky situation without the power to get out of it. 

Remote Pre-Cooling/Heating

2011 Nissan LEAF iPhone App

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While we knew we’d like the remote pre-cooling and heating of the Leaf we didn’t know just how much until we’d lived with it a few days. 

Setting your car’s air conditioning to come on ten minutes before you leave home or even on your way back to the parking lot really does add a level of comfort never before known to most car drivers. 

It Feels Like a $35,000 Car

We all know that the Leaf’s high price-tag is at least in part down to the car’s 24 kilowatt-hour battery pack.  But unlike the European version of the 2011 Mitsubishi i which feels like a $10,000 car with a $25,000 drivetrain bolted on, the 2011 Leaf feels like a $35,000 car. 

Everything from the sound of the door slam to the soft trim and the sound system lets you know you’ve purchased a high quality car. 

Sure, the light colored seats stain easily and the hockey-puck gear shifter may not be to everyone’s taste, but the fit and finish reminds you that the Leaf is not a car Nissan have cut corners to make. 

Do you have a 2011 Nissan Leaf? What are your favorite points about Nissan’s first all electric hatchback? Let us know in the Comments below.