2021 Nissan Leaf

How has the Nissan Leaf grown over the last 10 years, and with all the other electric cars on the market today, how’s it holding up?

The Nissan Leaf was released to the North American market in 2012 as one of the first electric cars sold by a leading auto manufacturer. At the time Telsa had been working on the model S and but it wasn’t released until soon after.

2021 Nissan Leaf

When the Leaf was first released it only had one motor option and it didn’t exactly offer the greatest range compared to the electric cars we see today. In 2012, the Leaf had a 24kWh battery that powered the motor capable of 107hp and could only get you a distance of *drum roll please* 160KM. Yeah, not great. Comparatively, the Nissan Leaf today is available with two motor choices, and yes, both make more power than the original.

Today, the base battery and motor option in the Leaf, is a 40kWh battery with a 110-kW motor making a grand total of 147hp and will get a range of up to 243km. (Now, keep in mind that at the moment my articles are written without me having driven these cars, so I have to take other people's words for it, including that of Nissans). Also, Nissan claims (others have had issues) that the 40kWh Leaf is capable of a full charge on a level 2(240v) charger in eight hours, and an 80% charge in 40 minutes on a level 3(400v) charger. As for the Nissan Leaf S, (a new addition) you get a 62kWh battery with a 160-kW motor making 214hp, and will get a range of approximately 363km's. The charge time also changes with the Plus to 11.5 hours with a level 2 charger for a full charge, and about the same 40-45 minute 80% charge with a level 3. 

2021 Nissan Leaf

It’s all well and good that we now have more options for the Leaf’s motor and battery, but is that the only thing that has changed over the last 9 years? Well, no. Over the last nine years, the Nissan Leaf has never drastically changed designs. Happily, for 2021, the Leaf has gone under the knife and Nissan finally changed the look of the Leaf, and landed on something that doesn’t scream “I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ALL KNOW IM AN ELECTRIC CAR!”. Basically, less egg shape and more modern hatchback styling, which is a good thing. 

2021 Nissan Leaf

New in technology, Nissan now offers “ProPILOT” assist as well as what they call, e-pedal. e-pedal allows for one pedal driving, which lets the car start, accelerate, slow down and come to a full stop without having to press the brake pedal. This is a great feature because it offers regenerative braking. For those that don’t know, regenerative braking recycles energy from deceleration and reverts it back to the battery to help with battery efficiency. ProPILOT, gives you all of the automated aides that you get with most cars nowadays; lane assist, automatic slowdown and start up that kind of stuff.

On the interior, all Leaf models now come with an 8” infotainment display, and buttons to control everything you need (yay a car with buttons!). Unfortunately, that can make the interior feel a touch outdated, however, you won’t be stuck fighting with a useless touch screen that barely works. Should you choose the base model Leaf, you get all the basics with no bells and whistles, and with the different packages you choose from Nissan; Leaf, Leaf S Plus, Leaf SV Plus and Leaf SL Plus, it will change and add additional options. 

2021 Nissan Leaf SV Plus

Overall, what are my final thoughts on the Nissan Leaf? Frankly, I don’t think it is the worst electric car on the market today, but I also wouldn’t say it is my favorite (and, I’m talking affordable electric, so not Tesla). With all of the options available from Volkswagen, Kia, Chevrolet, etc, many of their electric cars have come a long way since their release. So, my advice is: If you are shopping for an electric car, make sure you to do your shopping before you buy, especially in today's auto market. At the price range in which electric cars are (Leaf starts at $44,298CAD) there is a tremendous number of electric car options. So, before you buy an electric car today, please make sure you do your homework.