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Mat Watson finds Nissan Leaf comfort, but not its promised range

The redesigned EV earns a shortlist recommendation despite awkward cabin controls, inconsistent brakes and a substantial highway-range shortfall.

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carwow Story of October 25, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? 1,393,070 views so far, and here is what is inside it.

New Nissan Leaf Review: Better Than a Tesla?

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2:26The acceleration test beats Nissan's claim, followed by a measured emergency stop.
3:20Watson criticizes the screen's reach, low cupholders and cabin control placement.
6:51The highway efficiency test yields an estimated 255-mile range, below the displayed 387-mile claim.
12:06The trunk inspection covers the false floor and a successful seven-suitcase load.
14:18Bump absorption earns praise, but inconsistent braking and the lack of true one-pedal driving draw criticism.
18:44Watson recommends shortlisting the Leaf rather than giving it an outright buy verdict.

Can the redesigned Nissan Leaf deliver on its range promise? Mat Watson's Oxfordshire-to-London highway test produces an estimated real-world range of 255 miles, against the 387 miles claimed for the car tested. That gap becomes one of the clearest findings in carwow's "New Nissan Leaf Review: Better Than a Tesla?"

The title asks about Tesla, but this is a standalone Leaf assessment rather than a direct comparison test. Watson puts the Nissan through acceleration and braking runs, loads its trunk and investigates the everyday annoyances that a striking new shape cannot fix.

Inside, his complaint is less about appearance than placement. The screen stretches too far away, the cupholders sit low, and the wireless charging pad eats into storage. "I find this car to be a bit of an ergonomic nightmare, right?" he says. A missing rear wiper also gives colleague James some window-wiping work.

There are useful compensations. The Leaf accelerates faster than Nissan claims, swallows seven suitcases and absorbs bumps well. Out on the road, though, Watson criticizes the inconsistent brake feel and the absence of true one-pedal driving. The comfort impresses him more consistently than the controls.

Viewers pick up on that distinction, too: some defend the cupholder placement and clear drive-selector buttons, while another explains why a separate power switch can be useful when leaving a passenger with music and air conditioning.

The video includes a vehicle-history advertising segment. Watson's final buying judgment is qualified rather than triumphant: "I reckon you should shortlist the Nissan Leaf."

Published on Trari

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What viewers say

I actually really like the clear drive select buttons. Way better than the unique puzzles half the other car makers invent.
@IIIlllIIIIIIIIIIIIlSee it on YouTube
Lol. I never thought I'd ever see a Nissan Leaf do a 0-60 in under 7 seconds!
@emiliogatoSee it on YouTube
Idk. That cup holder placement seems pretty good
@natebutontheinternetSee it on YouTube

2 more comments

Said it on a previous video with the same complaint; The power switch is important if you want to leave accessories on while you're not in the vehicle. Say your passenger wants to have the AC and music on while you pop into a grocery store. If it automatically turns off when you exit the driver's seat like in a lot of cars then the passenger has to move.
@shroomyescSee it on YouTube
the back seems like the honda CR-X from the 80´s
@brunolopes7065See it on YouTube

Public comments from the video's page on YouTube