NISSAN’S been here before. While Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz and Audi might be launching their first full-electric vehicles this year, the Japanese brand achieved that same feat seven years ago.

Needless to say, it has learnt a lot of lessons since 2012, and it’s this experience that Nissan says puts it at the forefront of the electrification movement.

So, it goes without saying that the new Leaf small hatch represents a huge generational leap forward, but with rivals now emerging in droves, will it be able to assert itself as the best there was, the best there is and the best there ever will be? Read on to find out.