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regeneration so the battery doesn’t get as much charge. Move into an urban scenario and that changes for the better. Having said all that the Leaf offers greater journey length for its price than many EVs. It also provides practicality, seating for up to five people and a boot to match. Prices start from a very competitive, for
an EV, £26,845 on the lead-in 40 kwh model with a range of 168 miles. My test model was the arguably more practical 62 kwh version with that greater 239 mile range. Standard fare in the Leaf is good even on the entry level model and includes such items as auto lights and high beam assist, auto wipers, adaptive cruise control, Apple Car Play and Android Auto, DAB radio, Bluetooth and a plethora of safety kit. There’s some impressive tech on the Leaf including e-Pedal that allows you to just use your right foot
TRY IT AND YOU REALISE JUST HOW EASY IT MAKES THE DRIVING
as when you ease off the throttle the car brakes. Depending how quickly you ease off decides on the level of braking, so it’s fairly easy to learn to feather the throttle. It’s one of those things where until you’ve experienced it you wonder what’s the point. Try it and you realise just how easy it makes the driving. Add an Eco mode, along with increased
regenerative braking, and there are plenty of opportunities to maximise range. Prices for the longer range 239 mile model start at £32,695 and bring increased specification and performance.
The Leaf set the trend and continues to be a sound
EV choice. In some areas it shows its age against more digital competitors but personally I’d rather have buttons than digital. If you want an affordable EV combining practicality and decent equipment levels then the Leaf is a hard act to beat.
I
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV FAMILIARITY BREEDS REASSURANCE
t is said that English writer Geoffrey Chaucer first used the expression familiarity breeds contempt. Essentially suggesting long association with something makes you more aware of foibles and faults, so you lose interest and appreciation. There’s a counter argument that familiarity is reassuring, proven and reliable. All epithets I would happily apply to Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV. Launched back in 2014 it quickly made its mark, and still appears in the top ranks of the plug-in SUV sales charts. Not bad for a vehicle that has only been revised twice since its launch, and a testament to its original design. Utilising an electric motor on each axle it retains full off-road credentials and marked a turning point towards greener SUVs. It looks very modern without the fussiness of design
adopted by some competitors. Climb behind the wheel of my Exceed specification test model and it’s a nice place to be, with comfortable diamond quilted leather, heated seats and steering wheel, keyless entry and start among the standard equipment. Prices start from £35,815 and top out at £44,225,
my Exceed model sitting near the top of the tree at £41,705. All PHEV models come with a 2.4 litre petrol engine driving through an automatic gearbox and three driving modes - all electric, hybrid (a mix of electric and petrol power) or a parallel hybrid mode using both electric and petrol power .
There is a quoted range of 28 miles on pure electric
according to the new, stricter real world WLTP test. I actually managed 36 miles, it very much depends on style of driving, road types and conditions. It’s an impressive range when you consider many much newer plug-in hybrids still hover at this kind of range. For such a large vehicle its overall economy using hybrid mode was impressive, a mainly urban driving week averaging mid 50s mpg. With masses of interior space for five (you lose the
7-seat capacity of non-PHEV models due to the battery) it can double as family car and workhorse. The interior is perhaps a little old-fashioned in some respects with smaller than average touchscreen display and plastics that are perhaps not up to some competitors. I suspect they would be more durable! It does have proper buttons, simple to use controls and all modern comforts, even in the lead-in versions. It is a very nice, refined and comfortable machine that demonstrates the virtues of familiarity.
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