While both are excellent values, we advise purchasing the 2018 model in order to obtain the ideal mix of cost-savings and effectiveness. However, if you choose the 2019, you’ll benefit from buying nearly-new rather than brand-new vehicles. Since both models have the same features in the end, there is really no wrong choice.
The average automobile spends 1-2 weeks on the lot, but the greatest offers are typically scooped up in less than 48 hours. Get notified right away when the price of a saved car reduces or when a terrific new Leaf listing becomes available by downloading the CoPilot app.
In This Article...
Which Nissan Leaf models make for reliable used cars?
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.
The runner-up Leaf trim
The Leaf SL Plus, which costs $37,400, is the second-best Nissan Leaf grade. After state and local tax breaks, the SL Plus can cost less than $30,400. There are 214 horsepower in the SL Plus. On a single charge, it has a 215-mile range. It comes with a Bose Energy Efficient Audio System and leather-appointed seats but has a little smaller range than the S Plus. Exterior mirrors with LED turn signal indicators are also included.
Customers should choose the Nissan Leaf SL Plus trim because it adds comfort and style to the otherwise boring Nissan Leaf. Both reviews and customers have criticized the Leaf’s interior as being dull. The leather-appointed seats and Bose Energy Efficient Audio system give the Nissan Leaf some much-needed flair. Even without tax advantages, the SL Plus is still less expensive than the typical new compact car despite being the Leaf’s highest trim level.
The Nissan Leaf is a dependable car, so you might as well select the coziest trim. Although the Leaf S Plus offers a marginally improved range, regular trips to a charger can be anticipated if you decide to stick with the Leaf’s limited battery range.
SERPRESULT
The Nissan Leaf is rated as the second-best electric vehicle by U
Although the standard Leaf S is reasonably priced, many drivers could find its limited driving range to be insufficient.
Cost and Which One to Purchase
The SV Plus is the best option here since it has a fair price, the greatest driving range, the strongest electric motor, and a respectable list of standard features. It boasts automatic climate control, keyless entry with push-button start, an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and automated headlights.
Which should I purchase?
This mostly relies on your budget and how you want to use the vehicle. The 2013 model’s range is 124 miles, compared to the 2011 model’s 109 miles. Most consumers won’t require much more, and if you fall into that category, you’re in luck because they’re also the most affordable to purchase.
You’re better off saving your money unless you really require the 30kWh version with its 155-mile official range. Finding a model with the 6.6kW on-board charger, which was an option for older cars, is worthwhile because it cuts the charging time in half to four hours.
In terms of trim levels, we would steer clear of the earlier models because of how quickly their light-colored interiors become soiled. Nevertheless, they have the majority of amenities you may fairly expect, such as climate control, sat-nav, and 16-inch alloy wheels. Make sure the sat-nav is up to date if you intend to rely on it because most Leafs do not come equipped with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto as standard. Both metallic paint and a solar panel mounted on the rear spoiler were options. The majority of owners concur that its main function is to maintain the car’s 12v battery’s charge.
Models made after 2013 began with Visia trim, which we advise avoiding because it doesn’t have alloy wheels or an infotainment screen, making it more difficult to use some of the car’s functions. More importantly, the heater isn’t very efficient and there isn’t rapid charging.
Alloy wheels, a satellite navigation system, an energy-efficient heater, and a CHAdeMO socket—which enables the use of numerous public rapid chargers—were added to Acenta versions. Leather upholstery, LED headlights, a Bose audio upgrade, and bigger alloy wheels are added to Tekna variants.
Verdict on the Nissan Leaf review
An excellent EV is the Nissan Leaf. It’s not the best, and Makato Uchida, CEO of Nissan, won’t become the second-richest person in the world as a result. But it completes its very precise role in a respectable manner.
Nissan didn’t set out to create an innovative electric vehicle. Instead, it made a daily EV, a vehicle used for commuting to work or attending soccer practice, acting responsibly. The price was competitive, beating Tesla to the sub-$30K and sub-$20K (with incentives) price points. This was crucial. Additionally, it is priced competitively with the Toyota Prius.
The Leaf, in my opinion, is the most significant vehicle offered by Nissan. It assisted Nissan in establishing itself in the EV market and is enabling the firm to advance towards the Nissan Ariya, which will compete with the Model Y from Tesla, the ID.4 from Volkswagen, and the Mach-E from Mustang. It’s difficult to say if Nissan would have been able to put together what appears to be a convincing EV crossover if the Leaf hadn’t been around for the last 10 years.
The Nissan Leaf is not the best choice for a road trip, it is not the most pleasant for commuting, and its acceleration will not cause eyelashes to fall out. However, considering its price and category, the Leaf continues to perform satisfactorily. And the Nissan Leaf is the ideal EV to get into for the appropriate consumer. At least it is until the introduction of the Leaf’s successor, a yet-unnamed crossover SUV that Nissan has promised would be obtainable starting in 2025.
What variations exist among the Nissan LEAF models?
Only two types of the Leaf are currently available: the Leaf SV Plus, which has a larger battery pack and a longer driving range, and the base Leaf S, which has a smaller battery pack and a shorter driving range.
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).
Is the 2022 Nissan Leaf a good investment?
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.
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.
- 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.
The longest-range Nissan Leaf model: which one?
A 40 kWh lithium-ion battery powers the 2023 Nissan LEAF S, which has an EPA range of up to 149 miles. Nissan LEAF SV PLUS variants are powered by a 60 kWh lithium-ion battery, which has a range of up to 212 miles.
Is it expensive to repair the Nissan LEAF?
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.
Nissan Leafs are dependable?
Nissan Leafs: Are They Reliable? Overall reliability ratings for Nissan Leafs are fairly mediocre. It all depends on the model you choose to invest in because some years are more dependable than others. Although battery deterioration will be a problem, you may expect newer Leafs to be more dependable than older models, as seen below.
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%