If you’re looking for an economical EV and only travel short distances, the Leaf is worth a look.
In This Article...
We used the Nissan Leaf, the most affordable electric vehicle in the US. See 2 shortcomings and 4 reasons to buy.
- We tried the 2022 Nissan Leaf, which is the least expensive electric vehicle in the US.
- It costs $27,400, or perhaps as little as $20,000 after the $7,500 federal EV tax credit.
- Despite its alluringly low cost, you’ll have to give up some charging and range.
As they become more popular, electric automobiles are becoming less expensive, but they are still significantly more expensive than their gasoline-powered equivalents. According to Edmunds, the typical price paid for a battery-powered car increased beyond $60,000 in February.
There are nevertheless choices available for those wishing to go green on a tight budget. The Nissan Leaf is now the least expensive long-range electric vehicle available thanks to a price cut for the 2022 model.
To find out how much EV you get for $27,400, we put it to the test. Here are several reasons to buy the Leaf hatchback as well as some areas where it falls short.
Subaru Leaf
A 40 kilowatt-hour battery powers the base Leaf EV, giving it an EPA-estimated range of 149 miles.
Depending on the trim level, the Leaf’s estimated range with the 62-kilowatt-hour battery in the Plus version is 215 to 226 miles.
Additionally, it receives a stronger motor, which accelerates the Leaf Plus from 0 to 60 mph in less than a second compared to the 40-kWh Leaf.
On a 240-volt socket, the basic Leaf charges in 8 hours while the 62-kWh Plus requires 10.5 hours.
The Leaf’s ride is a little delicate, so until it hits a bump hard, it seems soft.
The lack of reach-telescoping on the steering wheel makes the driving posture awkward.
The ProPilot Assist option can maintain the vehicle’s lane separation and modify speed in response to traffic.
Its 149-mile driving range is less than the 250-mile range of the Chevy Bolt, but the Leaf is less expensive.
When the driver eases off the accelerator, the E-Pedal feature dramatically slows down the Leaf and sends energy back to the battery.
Because the steering wheel cannot be telescoped for reach, some drivers may find the driving posture uncomfortable.
The ProPilot Assist, which is an optional feature, can help the car stay in its lane and change its speed to keep up with oncoming traffic.
Automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning become standard in 2018.
The five-seat Nissan LEAF hatchback, which holds the distinction of being the first widely accessible and reasonably priced all-electric vehicle, typically has a range of about 75 miles.
A full charge in our 2011 tests required either six hours with a 240-volt power source or sixteen hours with a 120-volt power source.
Running costs are incredibly low, coming in at just 3.5 cents per mile and an average of 11 cents per kWh nationwide.
However, in the IIHS small-overlap crash test, LEAF cars from 2013 and later received a Poor rating.
The Nissan LEAF is inexpensive, why?
I therefore need a new automobile and would prefer an electric model, but I have limited funds. I was considering the Nissan Leaf and was taken aback by the price. Why are Nissan Leafs so reasonably priced?
In less than two minutes, find out if your auto insurance is being overcharged.
You’re right that making the switch to an electric vehicle is exciting.
Compared to other electric vehicles, the Nissan Leaf is significantly less expensive. Why, you inquire? Even though they are generally good automobiles, the Nissan Leaf doesn’t have the best reputation. Low battery range, depreciation, government subsidies, old technology, and a plain design are a few of the elements that contribute to the Leaf’s low pricing.
- Low battery range: The battery range on a new Leaf is just 80 to 100 miles per charge, and on a used Leaf, this decreases to about 50 miles per charge. Although the Leafas battery is less expensive to produce, its compact size means that it has significantly less power than other electric cars.
- Depreciation: The Leaf depreciates less frequently than the majority of other electric vehicles, which means it does so more slowly than more expensive vehicles. For instance, a Tesla typically depreciates by 20% over the first year of ownership.
- Government subsidies: Depending on the state you live in, there are a number of government subsidies and incentives available when buying a Leaf. These benefits lower the cost of purchasing the Leaf and enable quicker loan repayment.
- The Leaf may be inexpensive to purchase, but its technology hasn’t advanced much since it initially rolled off the assembly line in 2010, especially in comparison to the technological arms race being fought by other electric car manufacturers.
- Design: The Leaf isn’t a bad-looking car, but it isn’t sweeping up design accolades either. This may have contributed to the model’s poor sales and the subsequent price reductions.
Depending on your financial situation, a Nissan Leaf can be the ideal vehicle for you. Whatever you decide, make sure to use Jerry to find a strong auto insurance policy to cover your car.
This excellent vehicle insurance app can enable you sign up for your new policy and cancel your old one after just 45 seconds of registration!
What issues does the Nissan LEAF have?
The Nissan Leaf can only be used with specific charging stations because of its design.
Additionally, there have been numerous reports of charging incompatibility problems with Eaton chargers, particularly for the 2018 Leaf.
Is the Nissan Leaf a trustworthy vehicle?
I adore the Nissan Leaf concept, but I’m surprised to never see one on the road. Are they simply unpopular or are they unreliable? I want to get one, but I worry that it will malfunction.
When compared to other electric vehicles now on the market, the Nissan Leaf is regarded as being quite dependable. When contrasted more broadly, the actual reliability ratings that the Leaf has received are rather ordinary.
The Leaf can be a great option if you’re expressly looking for an electric car. It is reasonably priced, reasonably dependable, and has a low yearly average cost of ownership.
The battery is the sole aspect of the Nissan Leaf that warrants caution. It’s advisable to purchase a new Leaf because used ones frequently have batteries that aren’t very reliable. As a result, your electric vehicle’s battery has a lifespan of only 100,000 to 150,000 miles before you all have to spend money installing a new battery.
The Jerraay app can assist you in finding an insurance plan if you’re still determined to purchase a Leaf. By doing this, you can reduce the amount of money your insurance company charges you and use that money for battery replacement and maintenance. The typical user saves $887 yearly!
Is repairing the Nissan Leaf expensive?
With a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5, the Nissan LEAF is ranked third among all alternative fuel vehicles. It has typical ownership costs with an average annual repair cost of $748.
How does it feel to operate a Nissan Leaf?
How would you describe driving? If you adopt the Leaf’s own method of doing things, which is quiet and tranquil, everything is really straightforward and soothing. It will push back at you if you try to drive it like a Golf GTI. However, even the 40kWh specification isn’t sluggish.
Is insurance for a Nissan Leaf expensive?
In total, drivers will shell out roughly $128 per month or $1534 annually for Nissan Leaf insurance. The average annual cost climbs to $3568 for drivers over 30.
According to Expert Insurance Reviews, the average cost of insurance for a Nissan Leaf compares to the costs for its rivals as follows:
- a Buick LaCrosse costs $1360 annually
- Hybrid Ford C-Max: $1404 annually
- Ford Fusion Energi yearly cost: $1492
- Hybrid Chrysler Pacifica: $1500 annually
- A Ford Fusion Hybrid costs $1644 annually.
- Chevy Volt: $1700 annually
The likelihood of filing a claim regarding a Nissan Leaf is often ranked by insurance providers as follows:
- 55 percent of people are fully covered.
- Medical insurance coverage: 36%
- Coverage for physical injuries: 24 percent
- Protection against personal injury: 17%
- 16% of damages were to property.
- Collision protection: 11%
What Nissan Leaf model is the top of the line?
The Nissan Leaf has established itself as one of the top new electric vehicles available. It has shown to be a fantastic used EV as well. What Nissan Leaf trim should you choose?
At $32,400, the Nissan Leaf S Plus is affordable. After tax breaks from the federal and municipal governments, this cost might be reduced to $25,400. Amazing value for a brand-new electric vehicle. Compared to the original model’s 147 horsepower, the Leaf S Plus has 214 horsepower.
On a single charge, the Nissan Leaf S Plus model’s range is 226 miles. Only 149 miles may be covered by the base model on a single charge. The finest Nissan Leaf trim is the S Plus because it offers more range and power than any other trim. It still cannot compete with more well-known new EVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, while being far more affordable to buy.
How long is the lifespan of a Nissan Leaf?
The 24 or 30 kWh battery used in the first generation Leafs has a maximum range of 100,000–150,000 miles. The second version has a battery that can go 200,000–300,000 miles and weighs 40–66 kWh. We anticipate that the Leaf will last between 10 and 15 years because batteries also deteriorate with time.
Are tax credits available for the Nissan Leaf?
The tax credit varies depending on the size and battery capacity of your electric car and is available both at the state and federal levels. The potential federal tax credit for Nissan LEAF is $7,500. Will the electric vehicle tax credits expire? Yes
Tesla or the Leaf, which is better?
In conclusion, the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus has a longer range, charges more quickly, and accelerates to 60 mph more quickly than the Nissan Leaf. But when real-world driving, storage capacity, and maintenance costs are taken into account, the Leaf offers great value for the money. Additionally, there is the issue of regular serviceability. Currently, there are a lot more Nissan dealers than Tesla boutiques spread out around the nation.
What occurs if the battery in a Nissan LEAF dies?
The Nissan Leaf has a “Turtle Mode” that activates when the battery is low and pushes you to go a few more miles before the battery runs out altogether.
What is the price of a Nissan LEAF battery replacement?
Additionally, we created a comprehensive LEAF battery replacement tutorial. Although it has some of the same information, going a little deeper might be beneficial.
- The Nissan Leaf 40 kWh battery costs $5,500, or roughly $137/kWh, which is right in line with the average pricing for 2020, according to a 2020 Greencars assessment. A
- A dealership in Canada reportedly gave a 2013 Nissan Leaf owner a quotation for a replacement battery of $15,000 CAD.
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- Buyers of cash cars recorded in September 2020
- Price for a 30 kWh pack is at most $150/kWh and ranges from $3,500 to $4,500.
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- Price for a 40 kWh pack was at most $187.5/kWh and varied between $6,500 and $7,500.
- It is anticipated that a 62 kWh battery pack will cost between $8,500 and $9,500, or at most $153/kWh.
How frequently does a Nissan LEAF’s battery need to be changed?
Every three to five years, the Nissan LEAF battery needs to be replaced. Given that this is a very long period of time between services compared to other models and their respective services, this is really advantageous to the driver.