Nissan LEAF
Nissan LEAF
Nissan LEAF

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.

The Facts
Class Compact Car
Body Style(s) 4-door hatchback
Passenger Count 5
Drive Wheels front-wheel drive
Manufacturer Nissan
Nation of Manufacture USA
Base Prices S: $32,525
SV: $35,835
S PLUS: $39,145
SV PLUS: $41,395
SL PLUS: $44,845

Base Engine
electric motor (S, SV)
Horsepower
147
Std. Transmission
single speed
Avail. Transmission
NA
EPA City Range (MPGe)
123
EPA Hwy Range (MPGe)
99

Optional Engine
electric motor (S PLUS, SV PLUS, SL PLUS)
Horsepower
214
Std. Transmission
single speed
Avail. Transmission
NA
EPA City Range (MPGe)
114-118
EPA Hwy Range (MPGe)
94-97

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