2023 Nissan Leaf EV to go its own way

The older I get, the more I appreciate the things I ignored when I was younger: grapefruit, dry heat, Fleetwood Mac, slip-on shoes, what I hear above the hustle and bustle, and now the Nissan Leaf. rice field.

Somehow, the next model year comes along. 2024 Nissan Leaf prices Around the same time it was unveiled in late June, a 2023 Nissan Leaf SV Plus snuck into my driveway. Unlike all the basic, functional, budget-minded, high-profile electric cars, the Nissan Leaf is the EV of venerable old bastard, Timothée Chalamet-era Clint Eastwood.

Even with the passage of time, that welcome has not faded. The first mass-produced electric vehicle with a range of 113 miles appeared in his late 2010, proving to the world that Nissan can build and sell affordable electric vehicles. More than a decade later, most automakers are still eager to deliver on that promise, especially with the average price of a new car hovering around $47,000.

Nissan has evolved. 2023 Nissan Ariya Electric Crossover It reorients the brand for the immediate future. That’s impressive, but at a starting price of around $45,000, it lacks what’s most attractive about the Nissan Leaf: a starting price of less than $30,000.

It probably won’t be around for very long, so after a week of using it, I was able to re-evaluate its strengths and weaknesses.

Pros: Original affordable EV. sometimes.

Tesla promised affordable EV Over the past 10 years, we have made some achievements. Chevrolet has promised to buy an Equinox EV for $30,000, and other automakers have teased the EV’s affordability. But Nissan is actually doing it. His 2024 Leaf with a small 40 kwh battery pack and he has a range of 149 miles can be bought for less than $30,000.

Cons: Nissan Leaf has Chevrolet Volt EV issues

but it is also possible Chevrolet Volt EV. GM’s Hatchbacks suffering from recalls is still not only the most affordable electric car, but also one of the best new car deals. The price is $27,495 including destination. And with 459 miles of range, it rivals most new electric crossovers. The Leaf SV Plus I tested cost around $37,000 and had just 212 miles of range. And the Volt is still eligible for the revised $7,500 federal EV tax credit, so if you can find one, you can get one for around $20,000. There is no argument in favor of Leaf in this case.

2024 Nissan Leaf

2024 Nissan Leaf

2024 Nissan Leaf

Pro: Keep Nissan Leaf, not Bolt

The only argument in favor of the Nissan Leaf over the Chevrolet Volt EV is that GM End of production of Volt EV and large Volt EUV That may be the only reason Nissan keeps selling the Leaf in 2024 to reclaim its position as the most affordable EV.

Cons: Limited range

The base model has a range of just 149 miles, which is the lowest range on the market. Even the Leaf SV Plus, with its 212 miles of range, falls short of its similarly priced rivals. The VW ID.4 Standard has a 62kwh battery pack, has a range of 209 miles and costs around $40,000, but is eligible for the $7,500 EV tax credit as long as you pay that amount in taxes. The Kona EV costs about $35,000, has a range of 258 miles, is not tax-deductible, and is available only in about half the U.S. states.

2024 Nissan Leaf

Pros: Nissan Leaf efficiency

EPA rates SV Plus at 5.2 miles per kwh. A travel commuter said he averaged 3.5 miles per kilowatt-hour on a 40-mile drive around the suburbs on a one-pedal drive with the air conditioning off on a warm summer day. This is a great municipal vehicle, but instead of CCS or NACS he is the only EV still using CHAdeMO fast charging.

Cons: Dull driving characteristics

The front-drive-only Leaf lacks the punch that makes other EVs so fun to drive. As the speed increases, the reef shakes like a storm. At 125 miles per hour on the highway, it feels abusive, unsteady, noisy, harsh, and shaky. Front struts and a torsion beam rear axle are standard on modern budget cars, and the battery pack makes it feel down-to-earth and low, but in town it’s just a normal car. It faithfully serves its purpose as a no-frills commuter. Still I would like to use the Volt EV.

2023 Nissan Leaf

Pros: One-pedal driving

The Leaf has an appealing simplicity, no layered touchscreens or weird icons for fancy drive mode settings, the interface is all very plain and simple. The only eco indicator is the mushroom-shaped gear knob on the console, which is the closest thing I’ve come across to a car navel. Shifting to B mode provides the most regenerative braking setting, and enabling the E-pedal setting allows one-pedaling to a stop. This is a simple regen setting that many luxury electric vehicles don’t have.

2023 Nissan Leaf

2024 Nissan Leaf

2023 Nissan Leaf

The five-passenger hatchback lacks the charisma, style, range and punch of many newer electric cars, and has been half-heartedly redesigned after nearly 13 years. , it is not surprising.Still, it makes money TCC Rating 7.3 out of 10 Being a practical and affordable commuter, it’s still a bargain even with the base Leaf. Perfect for your daily commute or running errands. But the SV Plus I tested can’t compete with the new kids on the block.

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2023 Nissan Leaf SV Plus

Base price: $36,825, including $1,025 to destination

Price tested: $36,985

drive train: 214 hp motor, 60 kWh battery pack, front wheel drive

EPA fuel efficiency: 212 miles of range, 109 MPGe, 3.2 miles/kwh

Strong Points: relative basics, simplicity, efficiency, one-pedal driving

Cons: SV Plus price, relative range and boring