Released just recently: Starting at $27,800 (MSRP), with a test price of $37,400 Power: Front-wheel drive with a single motor 147 horsepower Battery capacity: 149–226 90 mph maximum ProPilot Assist is smart. Wireless Google Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The 2022 Nissan Leaf doesn’t have the aesthetic appeal of other recognizable brands, but it has nevertheless established itself as a very well-liked electric vehicle. Nissan will be praising the heavens that the federal EV tax credit is about to be extended, even if it doesn’t have Tesla-level appeal.
When you offer an EV with a reasonable price, plenty of tech features, and good performance, that is what happens. The Leaf is not only one of the most affordable EVs on the market, second only to the recently reduced Chevy Bolt, but it also boasts a driving range of approximately 150 miles in that particular configuration.
We used the Nissan Leaf that was lent to us for just over two weeks. How simple it was to get going and start up impressed us. The 2022 Nissan Leaf is a fantastic, feature-rich entry point for anyone looking to purchase their first EV. It has a maximum range of 226 miles and is ideal for errands and local travel, while some people may find the lower 149-mile range choice insufficient.
Nissan has not hesitated to highlight the fact that the 2022 Leaf can be purchased for about $20,000. Some could counter that since the purchaser must redeem a possible $7,500 government tax credit, it’s not actually a $20K vehicle. And I do concur to some extent.
The 2022 Leaf is now one of the least expensive electric vehicles available for purchase in the United States, even though it is scheduled to be replaced by an all-electric Micra and a crossover SUV by 2025. The 2023 model is also coming, although there won’t be many modifications.
Aside from the debate over price, the Nissan Leaf is not a perfect EV. Although strong compared to other automakers, the lane assist and infotainment system falls well short of what companies like Tesla are putting in their vehicles.
Although some of the plastics can seem a little hollow to the touch, the inside quality is roughly on pace with the segment. Additionally, the exterior still has a squat gerbil-like appearance. Even so, the 2022 Nissan Leaf is a solid choice for the typical motorist seeking for a daily commuter.
In This Article...
What drawbacks are there to a Nissan Leaf?
1. It’s Weakness Is Also Its Strength
The fact that this car can only use electricity is astonishing. Some individuals could, however, consider this to be a drawback. Making the switch to an all-electric vehicle may be too much for some consumers, who can be slow to adopt new practices. There will still be some who just consider the Leaf’s range despite its flexibility in charging alternatives. The knowledge that lengthier journeys will always require planning with charging in mind may discourage them.
2. Costlier Than Some Might Believe
People may perceive the Leaf to be cutting-edge, trendy, and useful. They might not immediately consider the fact that it deserves to start at more than $30,000. Unfortunately, the fact that there are several hybrids on the market with prices that are far lower than that may cause some potential customers to choose the Leaf’s rivals instead of it.
3. The back seats are not flat.
A few more inches of room might be really helpful in some situations. Unfortunately, the Leaf’s design prevents the rear seats from being flush with the cargo area in the back. Larger things may be more difficult to fit as a result.
How long is the lifespan of a Nissan Leaf?
Depending on where you are and what you do, you’ll receive a specific timeline for your car. Extreme heat, frequent recharging (such as twice or three times a day), and city driving all hasten the battery’s depletion. The Nissan LEAF was designed to endure as much of these typical battery killers as possible, so you would have to be very rough on your car before you saw a significant change.
The Nissan LEAF was designed to travel up to 107 miles a day on a highway without recharging (depending on the model you choose.) You may travel up to 90 miles in even the busiest metropolitan traffic without having to worry about running out of juice. The battery will eventually lose power, but the amount of mileage you obtain will steadily decrease. The erosion will probably only have a minimal impact on you because the ordinary American will travel significantly less than the daily maximums. When you take care of your car, the Nissan LEAF battery should last between 8 and 10 years.
Is Nissan LEAF an old model?
The little electric car from Nissan will be discontinued “before mid-decade,” according to trade publication Automotive News on Thursday.
Why it matters: Early models like the Leaf failed to gain traction, despite the fact that electric vehicles are largely seen as the future of the auto industry (hello Tesla).
Rewind: The Leaf soon overtook all other EVs after making its debut in 2011.
- Of the 977,639 automobiles Nissan sold in the U.S. in 2021, just 14,239 copies of the Leaf were sold there.
- However, it quickly lost the top spot to Tesla and fell short of Carlos Ghosn’s goal of selling 500,000 vehicles annually by 2013.
Zoom out: The Leaf’s problems were caused by its short battery life and small size, with the 2011 model’s first iteration covering only 73 miles on a single charge.
- The Leaf was victimized by shifting consumer demand for SUVs and pickups in the late 2010s as gas prices plummeted.
- The range increased over time, but Nissan has subsequently focused mostly on upcoming EVs, such as the stylish Ariya crossover.
The Leaf is currently blowing in the wind, but EVs are far from being extinct.
How much does a Nissan LEAF battery replacement cost?
Additionally, we created a comprehensive LEAF battery replacement tutorial. Although it has some of the same information, going a little deeper might be beneficial.
- 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.
- Price for a 40 kWh pack was at most $187.5/kWh and varied between $6,500 and $7,500.
- A dealership in Canada reportedly gave a 2013 Nissan Leaf owner a quotation for a replacement battery of $15,000 CAD.
- 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.
- It is anticipated that a 62 kWh battery pack will cost between $8,500 and $9,500, or at most $153/kWh.
What is the world’s least expensive electric vehicle?
The 2023 Chevrolet Bolts EV and EUV, with a starting price of $26,595, are now the most affordable all-electric vehicles you can purchase following a $5,900 price reduction ahead of its summer production start date. As an additional value offering to help offset GM’s loss of government rebates that rival EVs can still receive, parent manufacturer GM now promises to assist consumers with the expense of installing a 240-volt home charger. Do not worry if you purchased a Bolt EV or EUV between 2020 and 22 or in 2022; Chevrolet will offer reimbursements that are retroactive.
The 2023 models are virtually the same as the 2022 models, which had newer looks, save from the decreased price. The upright front end with “high-eye daytime running lights and turn signals with lower-set headlamps” is the major visual change for the 2022 Bolt EV. It has new seats inside, and the instrument panel has been updated with a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen and an optional 8-inch gauge display. Toggle and button designs are used in a new shifter. A rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree camera system, and adaptive cruise control are optional but the majority of safety technology is standard. The Bolt EV also comes with a dual-level charge line that can be utilized with either a 120-volt household outlet or a stronger 240-volt home outlet, like as what you might see for a clothes dryer. DC fast-charging capabilities is now a standard feature. The Bolt’s 200-horsepower electric engine and 65-kilowatt-hour battery remain as its powerplant.
The Bolt EUV, which made its debut in 2022, uses the same platform and powertrain but has an additional 6 inches in length, more interior room, a little less range, and costs a little more. Chevy claims that despite how similar the two Bolts appear, they do not share any external sheet metal. The EUV is the first Chevy to offer GM’s Super Cruise driver-assist technology for hands-free driving on suitable roads; it’s a $2,200 option and only available on the more expensive Premier trim level. Interior style and features are identical. The EUV offers a dual-level charge wire and standard fast charging, just like the Bolt EV. View the models side by side.
EVs: Are they worth it?
Initially, electric automobiles are more expensive than gas-powered ones. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average cost of an EV is $56,437, which is about $5,000 more expensive than the average cost of a base-model, high-end, gas-powered car. However, the gas savings might offset the difference in sticker price. According to a Consumer Reports study, fuel costs are about 60% lower for EV users than for drivers of gas-powered vehicles. According to CNBC, the entire cost of a gas-powered automobile would be $94,540 over the course of its 200,000-mile lifespan, whereas the cost of an equivalent EV would be $90,160.
Additionally, federal tax incentives that can reduce the cost of your vehicle by as much as $7,500 are helping to cut the sticker price of EVs. Additionally, because to advancements in battery and technology, EVs should become much more affordable in the upcoming years.
How durable are electric vehicles?
An electric vehicle obtains its power straight from a large pack of batteries, as opposed to internal combustion engined cars, which get their energy from burning gasoline or fuel.
These resemble an enlarged version of the lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery in your smartphone; however, electric vehicles (EVs) use packs made up of thousands of individual Li-ion cells that cooperate to power the vehicle. Electricity is utilized to change the batteries’ chemical composition while the car is charging. These modifications are then reversed when the vehicle is in motion to create electricity.
Electric car battery technology
While driving, EV batteries go through cycles of “discharge,” and they “charge,” when the car is plugged in. The battery’s ability to keep a charge is affected by how often you repeat this operation. As a result, the distance between charges and the time between trips are reduced. The majority of manufacturers offer a battery guarantee of five to eight years. A battery for an electric vehicle, however, is currently expected to last 1020 years before needing to be replaced.
It’s surprisingly easy to understand how a battery and the car’s electric motor function together.
The wheels are driven by electric motors that are connected to the battery. When you step on the gas, the car immediately supplies the motor with power, which progressively uses up the energy stored in the batteries.
When you release the accelerator, the automobile starts to slow down by turning its forward momentum back into power thanks to the fact that electric motors can also function as generators. This effect is amplified if you apply the brakes. By recovering energy that would otherwise be lost during braking, regenerative braking increases battery life and extends the travel distance of an automobile.