Nissan Leaf 2023 experience:
- Nissan Leaf 2023: ($28,040 – $36,040)
- Pros: The Nissan Leaf is affordable, spacious, and offers plenty of tech features for the price.
- The negatives: Its range and power aren’t very competitive with the rest of the EV field
The LEAF is the electric vehicle we’d recommend to anyone who isn’t interested in. And while there are plenty of other electric cars to choose from, such as the Chevrolet Bolt, Hyundai Kona EV, and Kia Niro EV, the Nissan Leaf will always have a special place in our minds. Maybe because it pioneered electrified cars when it debuted in 2010. Or maybe because it’s Nissan, which has been making cars for many years and knows a thing or two about quality.
LEAF is simple, as there are only two trim levels to choose from:
- Live S: $28,040
- Liv SV Plus: $36,040
Don’t let the $8,000 price difference between the two trim levels scare you away. The SV Plus model comes with a larger battery, which equates to more power and range, as well as a few more internal features. Also, your LEAF purchase may qualify for a $7,500 federal rebate, which makes up the price difference.
We had the opportunity to drive the Nissan LEAF SV Plus for a week and were impressed with the features and range it offered.
What’s it like to drive a Nissan Leaf?
Although the 2023 Nissan Leaf SV Plus we drove delivered plenty of power, buyers shouldn’t expect Tesla-like acceleration from it. Still, the 160-kW motor is rated at 214 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque, which is enough to push your head into the seat a bit when you bury the accelerator. This thing isn’t designed to perform like the Model 3, but its 0-60 mph time of 5.5 seconds means it’s easy to do on the highway, blast past slow cars, and walk up inclines.
Otherwise, the LEAF is easy to drive and look out of. Its compact hatchback shape makes it easy to get in and out of crowded parking lots, and the light steering effort makes it easy to handle. Surprisingly, we didn’t care much about the brakes either, considering that’s a weak point in most electric cars. Instead, we found the Leaf stopped well and felt great on the road.
However, don’t expect luxury car-like quietness, as we detected a decent amount of road noise when driving, especially at highway speeds. Also, the car’s e-pedal feature, which allows single pedal driving, was nice but became annoying because the car would slow down very quickly. We found that pressing the “eco” button did a better job of saving miles while maintaining normal driving behaviour.
How long does it take to charge a Nissan Leaf?
According to Nissan, charging the Leaf to 100% using a 240-volt household outlet should take about 7.5 to 11 hours. Using a DC fast charger that you can find at grocery stores and other public places will bring that charging time down to about 40-45 minutes, depending on what level of LEAF trim you’re charging.
The base LEAF S model supports up to 50kW of charging, while the SV Plus supports up to 100kW of charging so it can charge even faster. When a 50kW charger is connected to the LEAF SV Plus Charger, it should take up to an hour to charge up to 80%.
In our testing, we found this estimate to be correct, taking us just over an hour from 24 to 95% at 40 kW. Interestingly, a charge added a total of 241 miles to the car, even though Nissan rated its range at 212 miles.
Is the Nissan Leaf comfortable?
The Nissan Leaf is surprisingly comfortable despite its small stature. The front seat area feels airy, thanks to the dome-shaped greenhouse. However, the rear passengers will not be so comfortable. There is decent head and legroom in the back, but the bottom of the seat is a bit high.
Other than that, we liked the placement of the climate control buttons and the 8-inch touchscreen. Everything is within easy reach, and the physical buttons are refreshing compared to accessing everything from a touchscreen (we’re looking at you, Tesla). One caveat, however, is that while the Nissan Leaf’s interior is comfortable and functional, it’s not luxurious.
You won’t find any leather here, but you will find cloth seats and plenty of hard plastics around the cabin. There’s blue stitching on the seats and door panels, as well as plush-looking floor mats, but overall, the LEAF’s cabin feels more homely than futuristic.
How much power does the Nissan Leaf have?
Nissan Leaf has two different engine ranges depending on the trim level you choose. The base S model comes with a 110-kW motor that draws its power from a 40-kWh battery and produces 147 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, while the top-of-the-line model comes with a 160-kW motor and a 60-kWh mixture.
As for range, the LEAF S can get up to 149 miles on a single charge, while the upgraded Edge has up to 212 miles.
Nissan Leaf comes with many features
Although the Nissan Leaf does not have many frills, it is still very well equipped. The LEAF comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels with caps, halogen headlights, LED taillights, and a trip computer.
As for the technology department, the LEAF S sports an 8-inch touchscreen with four speakers, a USB port, and Apple Carplay/Android Auto. The upgrade adds more amenities like 17-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, LED headlights, and an eight-way power driver’s seat. It also comes with more tech features like a 360-degree camera, two additional speakers, and adaptive cruise control with steering assistance.
Is Nissan Leaf safe?
Yes, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2023 Nissan Leaf an overall safety rating of five out of five. Aside from that rating, buyers can rest assured their LEAF is safe with ProPilot Assist, which includes adaptive cruise control with steering assistance, forward collision warning, and blind spot monitoring.
MotorBiscuit gives the 2023 Nissan LEAF an official rating of 8.1 out of 10
The editors at MotorBiscuit rated the 2023 Nissan LEAF an overall 8.1 out of 10. The Nissan LEAF lives up to the ease-of-use ethos it has always been known for. While it’s not as fast or fancy as Tesla, as well as other competitors in the EV space, the LEAF provides buyers with a well-designed EV experience. Any buyer looking to get into the world of electric vehicles without having to spend a lot or deal with a huge learning curve can find a lot to love about the Nissan Leaf.
