Except for the three Nissan Leaf years to avoid, we can pretty much recommend every model year if you’re searching for a Nissan Leaf that’s a decent option as a secondhand car. Having said that, we’d especially suggest the models from 2017 through 2020.
Of course, it might be difficult to find a secondhand 2019 or 2020 model in that case. Since most owners are still keeping their cars, the most modern models aren’t appearing on the used market very often.
It’s also important to keep in mind that compared to other models, you might have to pay a bit more for a used Nissan Leaf automobile. This is due to the fact that models with a lengthy history of dependability and efficiency tend to hold their value better than cars with more widespread problems.
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What to Watch For When Purchasing Used
Actually, purchasing a used Leaf carries very little risk other than some battery deterioration. Therefore, it’s essentially a massive gamble. Nevertheless, if you choose a 2019 model year or newer (2018 is fine too), and if you do your research, as with purchasing any other used vehicle, you would considerably lower your risk.
To verify the battery’s state, such as its State of Health percentage (SoH%), take a picture of the dash so you can see how many battery bars are still present. Then, use the LeafSpy app to examine the battery’s condition. You shouldn’t have to worry too much if the Leaf has a 24kW/hr or 30kW/hr battery and has roughly 11 bars, as long as it doesn’t abruptly die on you on a chilly winter morning.
Overall, if you choose the correct year to buy in, the Nissan Leaf is still a dependable EV. Nissan Leaf owners advise you to steer clear of the 2011 and 2012 versions because they lack a heat pump and have the quickest battery deterioration rates of any model year. Additionally, the 3.3kW charger that comes with these early Leafs is much slower than others. Your best bet if you decide to purchase a secondhand Leaf before 2019 is to look for one with an L3 CHAdeMO charging connector and to choose higher trim levels so you can acquire a heat pump.
The Nissan Leaf’s Best and Worst Years
There aren’t many complaints about the Leaf, according to Car Complaints. This suggests that the Nissan Leaf is an excellent vehicle. We still need to identify the least trustworthy model, though.
The 2015 Nissan Leaf is rated as the worst model year by Car Complaints. The car’s brakes are the subject of the worst criticism.
The significant number of owner complaints about the 2011 and 2013 Nissan Leafs suggests that you stay away from them as well.
older and eccentric
Even publications like Consumer Reports recommend a few of the preceding generation’s model years as excellent choices. Although the 2015, 2016, and 2017 Leafs have an unmistakably electric aspect, they do have a very uncomfortable appearance that some people may find rather endearing. Most of the used models you find on the market are under $10,000, which makes them a great deal since they are only a few years old and still have a lot to offer.
What Nissan Leaf model is the best to buy?
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.
Is the Nissan Leaf being phased out?
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.
- 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.
- Of the 977,639 automobiles Nissan sold in the U.S. in 2021, just 14,239 copies of the Leaf were sold there.
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 range increased over time, but Nissan has subsequently focused mostly on upcoming EVs, such as the stylish Ariya crossover.
- The Leaf was victimized by shifting consumer demand for SUVs and pickups in the late 2010s as gas prices plummeted.
The Leaf is currently blowing in the wind, but EVs are far from being extinct.
Why is the Nissan Leaf having issues?
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 it expensive to maintain a Nissan LEAF?
The annual auto maintenance costs for the Nissan Leaf come to $748. The table that follows provides a detailed ranking of each car in this overall scheme for comparison’s sake. The Nissan Leaf is significantly less expensive to maintain when compared to the average vehicle ($651 annually vs. $748 for the Nissan Leaf).
Nissan Leafs are dependable?
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.
When did the Nissan LEAF receive a larger battery?
S, SV, and SL are the three main trim levels for the Nissan LEAFA. Nissan introduced the LEAFA Plus in 2019, a variant with a bigger, 62 kWh battery, an additional 75 miles of range, a larger motor, and more horsepower. Regardless of trim level, the Plus is offered.
The LEAFA’s lowest model, the S trim, now has capabilities like Apple or Android integration that were previously only available as upgrades or add-ons. Depending on the year, the SV, which is the mid-level choice, offers optional technology and driver assistance packages. The top-of-the-line LEAFA, the SLA, includes enhanced interior and comfort features as well as various SL options and LED headlights as standard equipment. While standard on the SL and SV trims, DCA rapid charging is an add-on option for the S trim. Nissan unveiled ProPilot Assist in 2019, a collection of driving aids that includes lane support, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian and collision warnings with automatic braking, and more.
Can you go by car with a Nissan LEAF?
It was a long trip—600 miles—with a combination of largely high-speed highway travel, slow work zones, and some city driving.
We tried to extend our range for some of the journey. We chose comfort and speed for the other sections of the trip—the hot, rainy parts. This, in our opinion, represents the effectiveness of a road trip fairly well.
We ended up using 3.4 miles per kilowatt-hour on average. The Nissan Leaf Plus’s effective range after a full charge is 211 miles, with a battery size of 62 kWh. That’s a respectable efficiency that is on par with some of the more efficient EVs now available. Battery capacity dictates range.
The Leaf is a capable vehicle for long trips. It’s relaxing. It moves fairly quickly. Excellent safety technology. It works well. The charge rate on numerous fast chargers is the only thing preventing it from doing really extended road trips.
Although the majority of individuals won’t drive their cars in that manner, that is also not how Americans believe. The Ariya, Nissan’s upcoming fully electric vehicle, is expected to address all of these issues with CCS high-speed charging and smart temperature control. Heck, it might end up being the finest road trip EV if it charges quickly enough — like over 200 kW.
Nissan Ariya’s real-world range may already be known to us, or it may not.
How many miles can a Nissan LEAF travel?
The tremendous power of the 2022 Nissan Leaf(r) translates into an impressive range. Two batteries are included to provide you with immediate acceleration and ecstasy. The typical 40kWh battery can travel up to 149 kilometers on a single charge and generates 147 horsepower. On the other side, the 62kWh battery that is readily available increases power. It has a 160kW motor that can produce 214 horsepower and propel the vehicle up to 226 kilometers on a single charge.
Can a Nissan Leaf be charged while in motion?
For lengthy journeys, Saildog commented, I was wondering if it would be feasible to pull a small trailer with a running diesel generator (genset) that would be attached to the vehicle’s charging port.
I apologize if this subject has already been covered. I searched for it but was unable to locate it.
It has been brought up countless times, almost as frequently as men wishing to power their cars with a few solar panels that were bungee corded to the roof. NO, is the response to your query. You CANNOT use an AC generator to charge the car while it is moving because the AC charger cannot be used with the engine running.
A DC generator was connected directly to the HV bus of the car by Ingineer, which DOES work but costs a lot of money and calls for specialized hardware. You probably can’t do it unless you’re an electrical engineer or an EV mechanic.
Additionally, the solar panel concept is a failure. Even if you kept the car in the sun all day, you would still only add a few miles, thus it would require all of the aforementioned knowledge.
How frequently should Nissan LEAF batteries be changed?
How frequently should a Nissan Leaf battery be changed? Every three to five years, but to ensure that it’s performing at a high level, you should have your battery tested naturally for voltage drops.
Should I replace the oil in my Nissan LEAF?
No oil changes Nissan LEAF doesn’t have an internal combustion engine, thus it doesn’t require regular oil changes or maintenance with motor oil to keep it running smoothly. Ever
How long will a battery in a Nissan Leaf last?
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.