Used 2023 Nissan LEAF

Because of that price, it doesn’t really matter that the refreshed-for-2023 Nissan Leaf is not going to accelerate as fast or travel as far on a single charge as something like a Tesla. For driving around town, grabbing a slot at public chargers, or just charging at home overnight, a new Leaf could easily be ideal as perhaps a second car and/or for average commutes.

This year, the Leaf electric vehicle (EV) lineup consists of just the entry-level S and the better-equipped SV Plus. The S can go for up to 149 miles before charging, and the SV Plus has a maximum range of 212 miles. And this is a subcompact hatchback with a slightly raised ride height. It’s a modest machine, but can still be perfectly adequate for some buyers.

The S version of the 2023 Leaf makes a modest 147 horsepower. This is similar to the Toyota C-HR small SUV and actually more than the Nissan Kicks hatchback/SUV/whatever, but the torque is much more agreeable: 236 lb-ft.

This translates to a decent little push when accelerating away once the traffic light turns green, although most of the muscle in the S is flexed at lower speeds. The SV Plus brings more — 214 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque — but still isn’t going to tingle many spines.

By placing the battery in the floor, Nissan has given the Leaf a double treat of a slightly elevated driving position (plenty of people like this) yet also quite a low center of gravity, bringing the benefits of stability and some agility. The suspension is tuned for comfort, while contributing to nicely predictable handling.

Just like trip computers and fuel gauges in cars that use combustion engines, the Leaf provides the driver with information on real-time and average energy consumption, as well as the level of charge.

Unsurprisingly, there’s quite a bit of plastic deployed in the Nissan Leaf’s cabin. But it’s all been assembled well enough, and the overall design is completely workable. The steering wheel sports the new Nissan badge.

One nice little futuristic touch is the automatic transmission’s selector with its blue light. The main color scheme, though, is predominantly black, and the seats are covered with a suede-effect material.

Space is adequate for a subcompact hatchback. Rear legroom measures 33.5 inches, which should be more than bearable for adults of average size. The rear seats split and fold in a 60/40 way. The luggage area behind them is 23.6 cubic feet, opening out to 30 cubic feet with those seats folded down.

To anyone who didn’t work on the styling revisions of the 2023 Leaf electric car, it might seem no different from last year’s model. Look a little closer, though, and it’s apparent that the badge on the grille is new. Look at it at night, and it’s also noticeable that it’s now illuminated. That was an option last year.

The grille itself is tweaked. We call it a grille, for want of a better word. Since there’s no combustion engine in a Leaf, there’s no radiator.

Anyway, the headlights are revised as well. And in the interest of optimum aerodynamic efficiency, the rear spoiler and lower rear diffuser also have been modified. The new multi-spoke design of the 17-inch alloy wheels on the SV Plus trim is arguably cool.

E-PEDAL MODE
One-pedal driving is something of a specialty in electric vehicles. The Leaf calls this setting E-Pedal. It’s where the level of brake regeneration (which can be set by the driver) slows the car as soon as a foot comes off the accelerator pedal. This is great in the occasional madness of city traffic because there’s much less dancing between the two pedals.

NISSANCONNECT EV
This comes with the SV Plus version of the 2023 Leaf electric vehicle. It allows drivers to connect with their Nissan Leafs using a smartphone app to check on the amount of charge, control when to start charging, and dial in the ideal cabin temperature before setting off.

In keeping with its relatively low starting price, the S trim of the 2023 Leaf is relatively humble. It comes with 16-inch steel wheels with covers, halogen headlights, LED taillights, and a trip computer.

Things aren’t quite so basic with an infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, satellite radio, Bluetooth, a USB port, four speakers, and an 8-inch touchscreen.

Standard safety features are also quite generous, adding forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic braking when you’re backing up.

There aren’t a whole lot of extras for the S trim, just a few things like a cargo area organizer and kick plates. If that’s way too sparse, look at the SV Plus.

This slightly posher version of the 2023 Leaf electric car not only has more power and a greater range, it also brings 17-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, and LED headlights/daytime running lights. Inside, the SV Plus gives you an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, a heat pump (using less battery power to keep the cabin warm), a self-dimming rearview mirror, and a couple more speakers for the audio system. You’ll also enjoy the added assurance of a 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise control with steering assistance.

The SV Plus also offers a cargo cover, premium paint, and those two extras for the S mentioned above.

In S trim, the 2023 Leaf puts 147 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque through to the front wheels, courtesy of an electric motor and a 40-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Charging this battery takes about 7.5 hours when using a 240-volt home charging setup. A DC fast charger can juice it up to 80% in 40 minutes or so.

The SV Plus employs a gutsier motor and a bigger battery to achieve 214 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. This version is front-wheel-drive as well. Charging times here range from 40 minutes/80% capacity with a DC fast charger to 11.5 hours on a 240-volt supply.

Nissan Leaf batteries are covered by an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty, whichever occurs first.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates miles-per-gallon (MPGe) figures for electric vehicles. These EPA numbers here are from 2022, but there should be no changes for 2023.

110-kW AC synchronous electric motor (S)
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 (SV Plus)
62-kWh lithium-ion battery pack
214 horsepower
250 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy equivalent: 121/98 MPGe
EPA-estimated range per full charge: 212 miles