Used 2021 Nissan LEAF

While most electric cars are in their first generations, the 2021 Leaf is in its second, which launched in 2018. The first Leaf came out in 2011.

Before the Tesla Model 3 arrived (the most affordable Tesla), the Leaf was the world’s best-selling electric vehicle (EV). So with the weight of a well-established company like Nissan behind it, along with a comprehensive dealer network, the Leaf could be a good choice for buyers taking tentative steps to perhaps their first EV.

Although it doesn’t take that long to recharge the battery to 80-percent capacity (45 minutes), it’s still more time than refilling a gas tank. And trips need slightly more detailed planning to make sure a charging station is around when necessary. So range is important.

The Leaf Plus has the best range, 226 miles, but it costs more than a regular Leaf. That puts it into contention with rivals like the Model 3, Hyundai Kona Electric, and Chevrolet Bolt EV, which can all go further.

There’s definitely a place for the regular 149-mile Leaf, then. It’s one of the most affordable new electric cars and could easily handle the average commute. The Leaf is also reliable, and maintenance costs are low because there aren’t many components that need replacing regularly.

By now, most people are becoming familiar with how electric cars drive. Silently and with plenty of punch from a standstill if required. That’s how the 2021 Leaf does it as well. It also dishes out some extra thrust for passing maneuvers. Although it has a bigger motor and battery pack, the Leaf Plus doesn’t really feel much different.

There’s plenty of substance to the Leaf, with comfortable ride quality on the highway and quick responses around town. And don’t worry about pedestrians not hearing the Leaf approach — it makes a particular sound, especially for this scenario.

The steering wheel adjusts for reach, but not height. If Nissan can make blind-spot monitoring standard, surely a little extra adjustability isn’t too much to ask. Even so, most people should be able to find a favorable driving position.

At first glance, the squat transmission selector seems a little odd, but after a few seconds getting to know it and a few trips, it soon becomes familiar.

The rest of the cabin has a clean functionality to it. Plenty of plastic, but the general design is agreeable, and the build quality is fine. The SL Plus has the choice of leather upholstery and a few other trim pieces in light grey to brighten up the cabin, but the rest of the 2021 Leaf range sticks with black.

The instrument cluster shows information relevant to an all-electric car, like instant and average energy consumption, and remaining charge. And the 8-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard throughout.

For a smallish hatchback, space is good but not great. Rear legroom measures 33.5 inches, three inches less than the Chevy Bolt EV, though not unbearable. The Chevy also beats the Nissan in maximum cargo area: 56.6 cubic feet as opposed to 30 cubic feet. But again, the Leaf’s capacity is far from terrible.

Nissan is reining in its wilder design impulses after things like the Juke (now replaced by the Kicks), the Cube (guess what shape it was), and the 1st-generation Leaf.

This 2nd-generation model takes the form of a more conventional 5-door hatchback, but one that seems to have come from 10 years in the future. However, there’s still that rear pillar treatment like the current Murano and Maxima giving a “floating roof” effect.

A blue stripe on the lower front lip and “zero-emission” badges on the sides and back are reminders that the Leaf is all-electric.

Since energy efficiency is a major consideration, the body has to be aerodynamically effective. It is, with a drag coefficient of 0.28. Not quite as good as the Toyota Prius (0.24), but not so arguably goofy looking either. The Leaf also has underbody panels contributing to its aero attributes.

Created from a blank computer screen to be an all-electric vehicle, the 2021 Leaf has some special details. Like the flap for the charger is actually at the front and center of the hood. Some newer electric cars have charging sockets on both sides, this idea is almost as convenient and slightly more elegant.

E-PEDAL MODE
Otherwise known as one-pedal driving. Nissan calls it E-pedal mode, and it’s standard in the 2021 Leaf. Press the accelerator to go, ease off to slow and the regenerative braking system phases in, even bringing the car to a total stop if the driver doesn’t get back on the throttle. It saves dancing between the two pedals in the cut and thrust of city traffic. And the system collects energy that is then stored in the battery.

NISSAN CONNECT EV
This allows the driver to check on battery status remotely, activate charging, and pre-heat or pre-cool the cabin before setting off, all with a smartphone app. It comes in as standard at the SV trim level.

Trim levels for the 2021 Nissan Leaf are S, SV, S Plus, SV Plus, and SL Plus. The base S trim has a generous amount of standard equipment, including 16-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, keyless entry/start, E-Pedal mode, and automatic climate control with pre-heat/pre-cool functions.

Among the safety systems are forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning/intervention with rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, automatic high beams, and a rear door alert.

The infotainment system has an 8-inch touchscreen, four USB ports, Bluetooth, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, and a 4-speaker audio setup.

We would still prefer the next-up SV trim, though, to gain a Quick Charge Port, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, and an upgraded infotainment system. This year, SV trim also gains heated front seats/steering wheel/side mirrors, and a hybrid heater (heat pump) that works well in cold climates.

As well as more power and greater range, the S Plus differs from its non-Plus counterpart by bringing 16-inch alloy wheels, the Quick Charge Port, and a portable 120-volt/240-volt cable.

The S can be ordered with the Quick Charge Port and a portable 120-volt/240-volt cable. An SV Technology package adds partial self-driving, 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, LED headlights, 360-degree camera system, and a few other attractive features.

The SL Plus has all those things as standard, along with leather seating surfaces, a cargo cover, and a 7-speaker Bose audio system. As mentioned in our pricing section, one of the few ways to spend more on a new SL Plus is to choose a premium paint finish.

There are two all-electric powertrains for the 2021 Leaf, both deploying front-wheel drive. The first has a 110-kW motor running off a 40-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this configuration delivers a maximum range of 149 miles.

The EPA has a miles-per-gallon equivalent calculation for energy used for distance traveled, known as MPGe. This drivetrain achieves 111 MPGe on the combined driving cycle.

It takes about 40 minutes with a DC fast charger for the battery to achieve 80-percent capacity. A full charge from a 220-volt source requires 7.5 hours, or using a domestic 110-volt outlet would need 35 hours.

The Leaf Plus setup consists of a 160-kW electric motor and a 62-kWh battery pack. Range is 226 miles, and the S Plus version is rated at 108 MPGe combined. The SV Plus and SL Plus models manage 104 MPGe combined.

The bigger battery takes longer to replenish. An 80-percent charge with DC fast charging takes 45 minutes. A full charge using a 240-volt supply needs around 11.5 hours.

Ranges will vary because of various factors like driving style, traffic, topography, and weather. Cold conditions tend to affect battery power adversely. Both Leaf batteries have an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty.

110-kW AC synchronous electric motor (Leaf)
40-kWh lithium-ion battery pack
147 horsepower
236 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy equivalent: 123/99 MPGe
EPA-estimated range per full charge: 149 miles
160-kW AC synchronous electric motor (Leaf Plus)

62-kWh lithium-ion battery pack
214 horsepower
250 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy equivalent: 118/97 MPGe (S Plus), 114/94 MPGe (SV Plus, SL Plus)
EPA-estimated range per full charge: 226 miles