The perfect deal right here is the SV Plus as a result of it carries an inexpensive worth, the longest driving vary, the extra highly effective electrical motor, and provides a good bundle of ordinary gear. It has an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, automated local weather management, keyless entry with push-button begin, and automated headlamps.

EV Motor, Energy, and Efficiency

Leafs are front-wheel drive automobiles. The usual Leaf S comes with a 147-horsepower electrical motor and a 40.0-kWh battery pack—each dinky by at this time’s requirements. Leaf SV Plus will get a gutsier, 214-hp electrical motor and a bigger 62.0-kWh battery. An S managed a 7.4-second zero-to-60-mph time at our check monitor, however it feels perkier than this quantity suggests due to the instantaneous energy supply of the electrical motor. This consequence makes it slower than the Bolt EV and the Mannequin 3, although. Upgrading to the extra highly effective Plus mannequin will little doubt lead to faster acceleration, however we cannot be capable of affirm that till we’re capable of check one. The Leaf’s e-Pedal function permits the driving force to toggle backwards and forwards between regenerative braking modes, one in every of which permits the automobile to coast when the driving force lifts off the throttle and one other that slows the automobile whenever you take your foot off the gasoline and makes use of that power to recharge the battery.

Vary, Charging, and Battery Life

The Leaf may be plugged into an everyday 120-volt outlet or a 240-volt outlet, however the charging occasions fluctuate dramatically between the 2. On a 240-volt connection, Nissan says each the usual Leaf’s battery and the bigger one within the Leaf Plus may be replenished in seven hours. A DC fast-charging connection is customary on all trims. The Leaf S comes with a 40.0-kWh battery that gives a comparatively restricted vary of 149 miles. This could be sufficient vary for some drivers with brief commutes however it’s lower than half of what the Mannequin 3’s Lengthy Vary mannequin offers. The SV Plus offers 215 miles of EPA-rated driving vary due to its bigger battery pack.

Gasoline Financial system and Actual-World MPGe

Our SV Plus check automobile exceeded its EPA freeway ranking of 94 MPGe by delivering 98 MPGe over our 75-mph freeway fuel-economy check route. Nevertheless, we noticed 180 miles of vary throughout this check; EVs typically get lower than their EPA rated quantity on the freeway. For extra details about the Leaf’s gasoline financial system, go to the EPA’s web site.

Inside, Consolation, and Cargo

Though the cabin of the Leaf has numerous black plastic, the well-assembled and uniform textures assist it keep away from wanting low cost. The gauge cluster options a big analog speedometer subsequent to a 7.0-inch digital readout that may be reconfigured to indicate quite a lot of shows. The Leaf’s seats are La-Z-Boy snug; the spacious rear seat provides loads of room for adults, too. Even if the Leaf’s again seat does not create a flat load flooring when folded, we discovered the cargo capability to be among the many greatest in its class. We match seven carry-on suitcases behind the again seat and a whopping 19 with the again seat folded. For comparability, the Bolt EV held 5 in its cargo space and maxed out at 16 with its again seats stowed. The Niro EV—which sports activities a extra SUV-like bodystyle—held barely extra cargo in our testing, however the Leaf nonetheless is tops amongst electrical automobiles.

Infotainment and Connectivity

All Leaf fashions include the identical 8.0-inch infotainment show with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration; navigation is optionally available. The most recent Nissan Join software program interface, whereas not significantly pleasing to the attention, is intuitive and fast to reply to inputs. Audiophiles could also be dissatisfied with the Leaf’s customary six-speaker audio system; a seven-speaker Bose system is optionally available however it did not impress us throughout our check drive both.

Security and Driver-Help Options

Nissan’s Security Protect 360 suite of driver-assistance options are customary throughout the lineup and the model’s novel ProPilot Help semi-autonomous driving mode is optionally available. For extra details about the Leaf’s crash-test outcomes, go to the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) web sites. Key security options embrace:

• Customary automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Customary blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
• Obtainable adaptive cruise management with semi-autonomous driving mode

Guarantee and Upkeep Protection

Nissan provides a fundamental guarantee bundle that covers the identical period of time as the remainder of the Nissan lineup; nonetheless, the Leaf’s battery is roofed for as much as eight years or 100,000 miles.

• Restricted guarantee covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain guarantee covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• Battery guarantee covers 8 years or 100,000 miles
• No complimentary upkeep