2021 Nissan LEAF

Pros: Satisfying acceleration, smooth ride, nicely finished cabin in top-line trim, competitive pricing for a pure-electric vehicle

Cons: Estimated driving range (150 miles base and 226 miles PLUS) is better than previous-generation LEAF, but is still topped by the Chevrolet Bolt EV

CG Says: The 2021 Nissan LEAF is unchanged. Nissan’s pure-electric 5-passenger compact hatchback was redesigned for 2018, gaining new safety and technology features, increased driving range, and a sportier look and feel. The base LEAF powertrain makes 147 horsepower has an estimated driving range of 150 miles. The PLUS models have a more powerful 214 horsepower motor and a longer 226-mile driving range. The LEAF’s standard “ePedal” switch can enable “one-pedal” driving—it increases regenerative braking to the point that using the physical brake pedal is virtually unnecessary. Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, automatic rear braking, blind-spot alert and intervention, lane-departure intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear side airbags. Available features include heated front seats and steering wheel, a 360-degree surround-view camera display, rear door alert, and Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist feature, which pairs adaptive cruise control with automatic lane-centering steering assistance. The Nissan LEAF can’t claim a class-leading driving range, but it offers peppy acceleration, an engaging driving personality, a fairly spacious cabin for its size, and a host of desirable high-tech features…and base LEAF (but not PLUS) prices comfortably undercut the Chevrolet Bolt EV.