2021 Nissan LEAF Review

　　

2021 Nissan Leaf Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　The Nissan Leaf was both a pioneer as well as a bit of an odd duck when it debuted for the 2011 model year. Yes, it was the first widely available electric car to come from a mainstream automaker, but it also had funky styling and limited range (73 miles!). Much has changed a decade later. Nissan has continued to evolve and improve the Leaf, which is now on its second generation, by adding a good assortment of advanced driver aids as well as a larger battery for longer range. And thanks to its hatchback body style, the Leaf remains a practical EV.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below

　　

2021 Nissan LEAF EV Insights

Trim:LEAF S

　　S 4dr Hatchback (electric DD) - $31,670 MSRPSV 4dr Hatchback (electric DD) (Most Popular) - $34,960 MSRPS PLUS 4dr Hatchback (electric DD) - $38,270 MSRPSV PLUS 4dr Hatchback (electric DD) - $40,520 MSRPSL PLUS 4dr Hatchback (electric DD) - $43,970 MSRP

　　

Estimated Range Based on Age

　　141 milesThe range for a used 2021 Nissan LEAF is estimated to be 141 miles because electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year, with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 141 miles.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Rutland, North Dakota. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © Recurrent contributors | Recurrent

　　from 58067

　　

EV Battery Warranty

　　8 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.

　　Estimated battery warranty remaining is 5 years or 58,000 miles for this car.Warranty remaining value is based on the vehicle year, and on driving 14,000 miles per year. Confirm exact warranty coverage for each vehicle with the dealers and the manufacturer before purchasing.

　　

Charging at Home

　　8 hours

　　Total Charging Time (240V outlet)

　　

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

　　$4,400

　　Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

　　Federal Credit

　　$4,000

　　Restrictions: Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers taxpayers a Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credit equal to 30% of the sale price up to a maximum credit of $4,000 for the purchase of a used plug-in electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Beginning January 1, 2024, Clean Vehicle Tax Credits may be initiated and approved at the point of sale at participating dealerships registered with the IRS. Dealers will be responsible for submitting Clean Vehicle Tax Credit information to the IRS. Buyers are advised to obtain a copy of an IRS "time of sale" report, confirming it was submitted successfully by the dealer.

　　For the vehicle to qualify: Price cannot exceed $25,000. Need to verify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Must be at least two model years older than the current calendar year in which the vehicle was purchased. Must be sold through a dealership, private sales not permitted. Not have already been transferred after August 16, 2022, to a qualified buyer.

　　For individuals to qualify: Must meet income eligibility, depending on modified adjusted gross income (AGI) and tax filing status. Must not be the first owner of the qualifying vehicle. Has not been allowed a credit under this section for any sale during the 3-year period ending on the date of the sale of such vehicle. Purchased for personal use, not a business, corporation or for resale.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　Utility EV Charger Offer

　　$400

　　Restrictions: Otter Tail Power offers EV owners a rebate of up to $400 towards the installation of a Level 2 charging station. To qualify for this rebate, the customer and/or charging station must meet the following requirements: Receive electricity from Otter Tail Power.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　

Cost to Drive

　　$64/mo

　　LEAF

　　vs

　　$161/mo

　　Car Avg.

　　Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　

Am I Ready for an EV?

　　EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.

　　If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.

　　Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.

　　Even with its available 226 miles of range, the 2021 Leaf can't match the longer ranges offered by the Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Kona EV and new Volkswagen ID.4. It's arguably not as stylish either. Still, the Leaf certainly gets the fundamentals right, and it has some of the most comprehensive advanced driver safety aids around. Read our Expert Rating below to get our in-depth take on this year's Leaf.

　　

What's it like to live with?

zzdcar owned a Nissan Leaf for one year and drove it almost 10,000 miles. To learn more about our experiences, visit the long-term page for our Recurrent. We cover everything from seat comfort to real-world electric range. Note that while the 2021 Nissan Leaf is not significantly different than our long-term Leaf, the available Plus trim now has a larger battery for more range. The two cars are from the same generation, though, so most of our observations still apply.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the LEAF drive? The Nissan Leaf has acceptable performance for jockeying for position in traffic. The standard Leaf posted a reasonably quick 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds, while the Leaf Plus did it in 7 seconds flat, which is just a hair slower than the top players including the Kona and Niro EVs. The brakes feel smooth, and most routine braking can be handled by easing off the accelerator if you engage the e-Pedal mode, which adds control and a bit of fun to the daily drive.

　　As with most EVs, smooth, instant power and a total absence of shifting make the Nissan Leaf ridiculously easy to drive. The low-slung battery also helps the Leaf hug the road, and it has the balance and coordination necessary to inspire confidence when going around turns.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the LEAF? It's hard to find fault with the Leaf's basic comfort. We like the Leaf's well-shaped and supportive seats, yet they still have a nice level of give and aren't overly confining. The Leaf's ride is smooth and nicely controlled. It's in the Goldilocks zone — neither too rigid nor too buoyant. It's good at swallowing large and small bumps alike, but a little road texture feel and intermittent jiggliness do come through.

　　The Leaf's electric drive components don't make any noise and lack the commotion that a non-EV makes when it changes gears. Wind and road noise is the remaining potential noise source, but it isn't overly prominent.

　　

Interior

7.0/10

　　How’s the interior? There's plenty of legroom and headroom in any seat. The Leaf's cabin isn't terribly wide, but it feels appropriate for its size. Some drivers might find it hard to settle into their ideal position. The driver's seat is mounted somewhat high and may not adjust down far enough to suit the tallest pilots.

　　Generously sized windows and a fairly low cowl contribute to good visibility, but the rear roof pillar is slightly broader than before and produces a bigger blind spot. Our main gripe pertains to the shifter, which is so odd that it includes its own user diagram.

　　

Technology

8.5/10

　　How’s the tech? We like the Leaf's touchscreen system and its support of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. The optional ProPilot Assist is worth getting. It adds a more advanced adaptive cruise control system and lane-keeping assist functionality that work together to create a driver assistance system that eases freeway commuting.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The Leaf offers an impressive amount of cargo space when the seats are in use. But maximum capacity isn't that easy to use because the seats don't fold anywhere near flat. Small-item storage up front could be better too. The center console box is small and the glove compartment is average in size.

　　For family duty, the Leaf has wide-opening doors and a near-horizontal roofline that makes it easy to access strapped-in children. The fairly generous amount of backseat room also helps for installing rear-facing seats. The three top tether anchors are easy to use, but the lower car seat anchors are somewhat buried in a gap in the seat cushions.

　　

Range and Efficiency

7.0/10

　　How are the range and efficiency? The Leaf Plus SL we tested has an EPA-rated range of 215 miles, which is about average for the mainstream EV segment. It consumes electricity at the rate of 32 kilowatt-hours per 100 miles, making it the least efficient EV in its class by a small margin.

　　In zzdcar' real-world testing, the Leaf Plus' range slightly outperformed its estimate at 237 miles, and it consumed slightly less energy, at a rate of 27.1 kWh per 100 miles. This observed efficiency, while better than the EPA rating, is nonetheless unremarkable for a non-luxury EV.

　　

Value

8.5/10

　　Is the LEAF a good value? If you look solely at range versus cost, the Nissan Leaf is a good deal. The interior materials look appropriate for the price point, and the leather seats in the SL are downright handsome. The base Leaf offers 150 miles of range. The Leaf Plus costs thousands more, but you do get 226 miles in return.

　　

Wildcard

7.5/10

　　The second-generation Leaf looks far less cartoonish (you can say less weird, if you like) than the original model. It also has decent power and can be mildly entertaining to drive. Other EVs, however, offer a bit more personality.

　　

Which LEAF does zzdcar recommend?

We'll happily pay extra for the larger battery and more power motor, so we'd suggest going straight for the SV Plus. If you think you might find yourself in heavy traffic on a daily basis, we'd recommend the SV Technology package for Nissan's semi-automated driving system, ProPilot Assist, and a more comfortable eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat.

　　

2021 Nissan LEAF models

The 2021 Nissan Leaf is a compact electric hatchback available in two versions: the regular Leaf and the Leaf Plus. The two differ in battery capacity and power output. The regular Leaf has a 40-kWh battery that's good for about 150 miles of range. Nissan upgrades the Leaf Plus with a 62-kWh battery that provides 226 miles of range. The Plus also has a more powerful 214-horsepower electric motor compared to the regular model's 147-hp motor.

　　Three trim levels are available for the Leaf: S, SV and SL. The S and SV trim levels can be had with either the Leaf or Leaf Plus battery pack. The SL is only available in the Leaf Plus configuration. The highlight standard features include:

　　S

　　Starts you off with:

　　16-inch steel wheels with wheel covers Rear spoiler Illuminated and locking charge port Height-adjustable driver's seat 60/40-split folding rear seats Four USB ports (two front, two rear) Push-button start Ability to preheat/precool the cabin 8-inch infotainment touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity Satellite radio Four-speaker audio systemThe S Charge package adds a quick charge port and a portable charging cable rated for 120-volt/240-volt electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). Opting for the Leaf Plus in S trim gives you 16-inch alloy wheels and the contents of the S Charge package.

　　SV

　　Adds to the S with:

　　17-inch alloy wheels Foglights Leather-wrapped steering wheel Navigation with over-the-air updates NissanConnect Services (vehicle locator, remote battery status and charge control) Six-speaker audio system Adaptive cruise control Quick charge port Heated front seats and outside mirrors Heat pump (heats the cabin more efficiently than normal heater)The SV Technology package adds further enhancements, such as:

　　ProPilot Assist (uses adaptive cruise control and lane centering for semi-automated driving) Eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat Auto-dimming inside mirror LED headlights and daytime running lights Portable charging cable (120-volt/240-volt EVSE) Electronic parking brake Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Leaf and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)SL

　　Tops the range with:

　　The contents of the SV Technology package Cargo cover Upgraded seven-speaker audio system Leather seating surfacesAll Nissan Leafs come with these standard advanced driver aids:

　　Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Lane keeping assist (steers the Leaf back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot)

　　

2021 LEAF Highlights

Trim: SSVS PLUSSV PLUSSL PLUSS

　　

Base MSRP	$31,670
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,400
Engine Type	Electric
EPA Electric Range	149 miles
Cost to Drive	$64/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	8.0 hours
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	23.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles
EV Battery Warranty	8 years / 100,000 miles