2021 Nissan Leaf pricing and specs detailed: Hyundai Ioniq Electric rivals gets new e+ flagship with longer range and higher performance

Nissan Australia has released the second-generation Leaf’s new flagship, with the all-electric small hatchback’s aptly named e+ variant delivering longer range, faster charging and higher performance – at a cost.

The Leaf e+ is priced from $60,490 plus on-road costs, meaning it commands a $10,500 premium over the carryover regular Leaf.

This positioning puts the Leaf e+ in the same conversation as the entry-level Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus mid-size sedan ($62,900) and well above its direct rival, the Hyundai Ioniq Electric (from $48,790).

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That said, Leaf e+ buyers compensated for the extra spend with a 62kWh battery that provides 450km of NEDC-certified range, which are 22kWh larger and 135km longer than that of the regular Leaf.

When the Leaf e+ does need to be charged, it takes 11.5 hours to charge its battery from 30 to 100 per cent capacity when using a 6.6kW AC charger, while a 100kW DC fast-charger will take it from 20 to 80 per cent in 45 minutes.

2021 Nissan Leaf e+

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2021 Nissan Leaf e+

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2021 Nissan Leaf e+

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For reference, the regular Leaf’s 6.6kW AC charging time is four hours shorter due to its smaller battery, but its DC fast-charging time is 15 minutes longer because it instead tops out at 50kW.

Furthermore, the Leaf e+’s front-mounted electric motor produces 160kW of power and 340Nm of torque, making it 50kW and 20Nm more potent than the regular Leaf.

The Leaf e+ is therefore the higher performing of the two, with it sprinting from a standstill to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds, which is one second quicker than the regular Leaf. Its top speed is also 13km/h superior, at 158km/h.

Standard equipment in the both Leaf e+ and regular Leaf includes dusk-sensing LED lights, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding side mirrors with heating, 17-inch alloy wheels, a space-saver spare, keyless entry and rear privacy glass.

Inside, push-button start, an 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system, satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, a seven-speaker Bose sound system, a 7.0-inch multifunction display, a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear outboard seats, and black leather-accented upholstery with grey Ultrasuede accents feature.

Advanced driver-assist systems in the Leaf e+ extend to autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, high-beam assist, driver attention alert, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, surround-view cameras, front and rear parking sensors, and tyre pressure monitoring.

2021 Nissan Leaf pricing before on-road costs