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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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.
Is Buying a Used Nissan Leaf a Good Idea?
A used Nissan Leaf can be purchased for as little as 50% off, and many are offered for as little as 70% off. If you do your research and confirm the battery is in good shape, the car has not been involved in an accident, and you only plan to use the Nissan Leaf for quick errands around town and not for any sort of lengthy journey or road trip, buying a used Nissan Leaf may not be a bad choice. Otherwise, having a limited EV range would be extremely annoying or would render the Leaf useless. Although keep in mind that buying a secondhand Nissan Leaf won’t qualify you for any government subsidies.
The Nissan Leaf has so far received fairly average reliability evaluations in terms of overall performance and safety. It all depends on whatever model year you choose to invest in because some model years are more dependable than others.
The 2019 Nissan Leaf receives a 5-star dependability rating from Consumer Reports, making it the most reliable model. The 2018 model, which is likewise quite dependable, comes next. The greatest models to choose from when buying used are unquestionably those from 2019 and after. If you’re considering the 2019 model year, many people would like to purchase a brand-new 2021. For those on a tight budget, buying nearly-new vehicles rather than completely new vehicles will be advantageous.
Without including battery replacement, the 2019 and subsequent models also offer lower yearly maintenance costs. The most frequent repair for a 2019 Leaf is $950 to replace the refrigerant line in the air conditioner. The average yearly maintenance cost for a 2019 Leaf is $748, whereas it is $998 for a 2016 model. The 2018 Leaf is generally dependable, but customers claim that it has a serious AC compressor problem that may necessitate a total replacement, which would cost about $1,450.
Concerning the finest deal, which year
Recently, I paid roughly $10,000 for a 2013 SV with all the extras I desired. Any Leaf model made after April 2013 should function well, but the older the model year, the less expensive. A 2015 has the lizzard battery, which is said to be more robust than earlier models, so if you can find one used, do so. Right now, the 13s are probably still the most accessible.
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.
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 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.
Are Nissan Leaf vehicles dependable?
This generation of Leaf received a high score of 98.6% in the reliability survey. Unfortunately, Nissan as a brand no longer enjoys the best reputation for dependability as it lags in 27th place out of 30 manufacturers, despite the fact that this is largely because of its conventional petrol and diesel vehicles.
How long does the 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.
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%
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.
What issues is the Nissan LEAF experiencing?
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.
Who manufactures the Nissan Leaf battery?
To develop and manufacture high-performance lithium-ion batteries for automobiles, Nissan Motor Company, Ltd., NEC Corporation, and NEC Tokin Corporation formed AESC (Automotive Energy Supply Corporation).
The Nissan FUGA HYBRID electric battery is now being produced in bulk by AESC.
The 100% electric Nissan LEAF’s lithium-ion battery is now being mass produced by AESC. The 2011 “European Car Of The Year” title went to the Nissan LEAF.
For their contribution to the creation of lithium-ion batteries for use in transportation, AESC received the IBA Technology Award from the International Battery Materials Association (IBA).
The Po-Chiku and Po-Chiku huge mobile power chargers were first offered for sale by AESC. AESC started offering the LEAF to 100V specialized power conversion box for sale.