Nissan LEAF Named Number One of 161 Electric Cars on Sale in the UK
Nissan LEAF Named Number One of 161 Electric Cars on Sale in the UK
Auto Express has ranked the all-new Nissan LEAF first in its guide to every electric car currently on sale in the UK, all 161 of them. It’s the latest award for a car already named the magazine’s 2026 Car of the Year, and it’s built in Sunderland. If you’re considering going electric, the LEAF is worth a closer look, and you can try one at Barton Townley.
What did Auto Express say?
Auto Express’s reviewers put the third-generation LEAF ahead of every rival. In their words, it is the best new car on sale, EV or not. They liked its excellent value for money and its all-round balance, and they picked out several things in particular:
- The new shape: a switch from hatchback to fastback styling
- The interior: a user-friendly cabin with Google built-in
- Real-world usability: up to 386 miles of range and 105kW rapid charging
More Nissans in the rankings
Two other Nissan EVs placed well:
| Model | Position | What Auto Express praised |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan LEAF | 1st | Value, design, usability and range |
| Nissan Micra | 15th | Lively driving, value, interior tech and a good choice of batteries |
| Nissan Ariya | 69th | A high-quality interior and better value after recent price cuts |
The Micra’s top-20 finish is a strong result for the car’s first year as a fully electric model. Auto Express noted that it shares most of its best qualities with its Renault 5 cousin. The Ariya was the magazine’s Car of the Year in a previous year, and the reviewers said recent price cuts have put it back in contention.
Proudly built in Britain
The LEAF is designed, engineered and built in Britain. Nissan’s Sunderland plant, the UK’s biggest car factory, builds the LEAF alongside the Qashqai and Juke, and it’s central to the company’s EV36Zero plan for sustainable manufacturing. The Micra was designed at Nissan’s studio in Paddington, London. For a Cumbria dealership, it’s good to be selling cars with such strong British roots.
Two battery sizes to choose from
The LEAF is available with a choice of battery:
- 75kWh: up to 386 miles of range, for drivers who cover the longest distances
- 52kWh: up to 280 miles WLTP, and Nissan quotes a starting price of £28,849 including the Government’s £3,750 Electric Car Grant
Both versions qualify for the full £3,750 Electric Car Grant. Nissan announced the smaller battery as a more affordable way into the LEAF range.
Try the LEAF at Barton Townley
We’ve written before about the Nissan LEAF arriving at Barton Townley. The best way to find out whether it suits you is to drive it. We can talk you through range, home charging, finance and what electric ownership is like day to day.
- Browse the range: New Nissan EV and Hybrid models
- Current offers: New car offers
- Part-exchange: Get a valuation for your current car
Call 01229 823131 (Sales, option 1) or visit us at James Freel Close, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 2NW.