2023 Nissan LEAF Overview What’s new? Changed the look of the front end with the LED Nissan logo There are now only two trims instead of five in a better lineup. A new Leaf from 2018 that is part of the second generation The Nissan Leaf is better than the Tesla and doesn’t have the most advanced EV technology. It is still one of the longest-running electric cars on the road, making it an affordable and valuable choice for people who want a car with no emissions. Even though it looked weird and had a short range, it was quietly showing off its kilowatts on the streets long before the first Tesla came out of the factory and got people interested in EVs. The second-generation Leaf of today looks more like other cars and has a more extended range. Nissan changed the Leaf’s front end and cut down on the number of trim options for 2023. Looking closely, you can see that the grille, front bumper, and headlights have been updated with darker housing. But at night, you can better see the Nissan badge on the grille because it is lit up. The Leaf is currently available in two models: the Leaf SV Plus, which has a bigger battery pack and a more extended driving range, and the Leaf S, which has a smaller battery pack and a shorter driving range. Even though the larger battery pack had a range of 215 miles, the 2022 model we tested had 237 miles. Even though it is cheaper, the Nissan Leaf is neither the newest nor the most attractive EV. It’s also comfortable, has a unique EV torque at low speeds, and has a larger battery pack with enough range for most uses. Also, the hatchback shape should be handy if you need to move something big. If the Leaf doesn’t have what you want, look at one of its competitors with a more extended range, like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, or the Chevrolet Bolt EV, which has a similar price. What do they like to live with? Do you want to know how the Nissan Leaf did when we tested it for a year? Learn more about the 2018 Nissan Leaf by reading our in-depth review. We liked how reliable it was and how we didn’t have to pay for repairs, but there were a few problems that we should have fixed in the 9,365 miles we had. Even though there have been some changes since the 2018 model year, most of our observations still hold. Pros vs Cons Pros Has a lot of driver-help features built-in as standard. A pleasant and calm driving environment Reasonable cost Cons There is little space for small things. The seats in the back don’t fold down flat. The Leaf’s fast-charging connection can only be used at some public charging stations. Performance The Nissan Leaf is great for fighting for space in traffic. The Hyundai Kona and Kia Niro EVs and the regular Nissan Leaf took 7.8 seconds and 7 seconds, respectively, to go from 0 to 60 mph. This is a little slower than the leaders. When you turn on the e-Pedal mode, the brakes feel comfortable. This gives you more control and excitement on your daily commute, and most normal braking can be done by gently letting off the accelerator. Like most EVs, the Nissan Leaf is straightforward to drive because it has smooth, quick power and doesn’t need to shift. Because the battery is low in the Leaf, it has the balance and coordination required to make turns confidently. This also helps the car stay close to the road. Comfort It’s hard to find something wrong with the Leaf’s essential comfort. The Leaf’s seats are comfortable and well-shaped. They have a lot of give and don’t feel too tight. The Leaf is easy to drive and has a smooth ride. It’s just right—not too hard and not too soft. It does a great job of smoothing out both big and small bumps, but sometimes you can feel the road surface. The Leaf’s electric drivetrain doesn’t make any noise or fuss when it changes gears as a non-EV would. Wind and traffic noise are the only things that could make the noise, but they aren’t very loud. Interior Every seat has plenty of room for your head and legs. Even though it could be more complete, the Leaf’s cabin feels about right for its size. Some drivers may need help figuring out where they should be in the car. Because the driver’s seat is mounted pretty high, the tallest pilots may need to lower it even more. Large windows and a low cowl help with visibility, but the rear roof pillar is a little wider than it used to be, making the blind spot more obvious. Our biggest problem is with the shifter, which is so strange that it comes with a diagram of how to use it. Technology The Leaf has an excellent touchscreen interface; you can connect your phone to it with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. As an upgrade for the SV Plus trim level, ProPilot Assist is something to think about. It works on making a driver assistance system that makes driving on the highway easier by adding a more advanced adaptive cruise control system and lane-keeping assist. Storage The Leaf has a huge amount of space for cargo, even when the seats are in use. But because the seats don’t fold flat, it’s hard to fit as many people as possible. Small things could also be stored better in the front of the house. The glove compartment and the center console box are both the same size. The Leaf is great for families because its doors open wide, and its roof is almost flat. This makes it easy to get to children who are strapped in. Since the backseat has a lot of space, it’s easier to put in seats that face backward. You may quickly and easily set up the three top tether anchors. Use, but the bottom anchors are hidden between the seat cushions. Fuel Economy The Leaf Plus SL we tested has an EPA range of 215 miles, which is about average for the primary EV market. It uses 32 kilowatt-hours of electricity per 100 miles, which makes it the least efficient electric vehicle in its class by a small amount. In InvoicePricing’ real-world tests, the Leaf Plus’s range was slightly higher than predicted. It went 237 miles while using only 27.1 kWh per 100 miles. Even though this measured efficiency is better than the EPA rating, it is nothing special for a non-luxury EV. Value If you only look at the Nissan Leaf’s price and range, it’s a great deal. The leather seats in the car we tested were very friendly, and the materials inside seemed right for the price range. The EPA says that the content of the basic Leaf is 149 miles. Even though it costs several thousand dollars more, the Leaf SV Plus can go up to 215 miles. Wildcard The second-generation Leaf doesn’t look as strange or cartoonish as the first model. It also has a good amount of power and can be fun to drive. On the other hand, some EVs have a bit of character. What is Invoice Pricing's Recommendation? Even though the standard Leaf S price is reasonable, many drivers may want more than the car’s short driving range. We recommend the Leaf SV Plus because it has a more extended range and has many advanced driving aids and technology as standard. Nissan LEAF model The 2023 Nissan Leaf is a small electric hatchback with S, and SV Plus trims levels. The EPA says that a 40 kWh battery pack gives the Leaf S a range of 149 miles. Nissan adds a 62-kWh battery to the Leaf SV Plus, which makes the car’s range 215 miles. Also, the 214-horsepower electric motor in the Leaf SV Plus is better than the 147-horsepower motor in the base model. 2023 Nissan LEAF Video Review
