We drove a new $38,000 Nissan Leaf to see how it stacks up against Tesla and the Chevy Bolt - here's the verdict
From 2010 to 2017, the Nissan Leaf sold at an unprecedented rate for an electric car.
But with the advent of new higher mileage models likes the Chevrolet Bolt and...
...Tesla Model 3, it was time for Nissan to update its stalwart EV.
For 2018, Nissan is back with the second generation Leaf EV.
Aesthetically, there's a lot more to like about the new Leaf than its predecessor. Gone are the soft curves and funky bug-eye headlights. In their place, is a more aggressive and chiseled look.
Overall, we found the Leaf's styling to be handsome and modern.
Even though the new Leaf looks and feels larger, its length, width, height, and weight remain virtually unchanged from its predecessor. Even the 0.28 drag coefficient remains the same.
Inside, the Leaf effortlessly blends tech with familiar Nissan touches. It's modern without feeling to futuristic or weird.
And the tech features are abundant. Leading the way is Nissan's new ProPilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system.
ProPilot is a camera-based system that stitches together input from the car's steering assistance and intelligent cruise control tech to create a semi-autonomous driving experience for the driver.
The system works pretty well and will keep you from swerving out of your lane. However, ProPilot purely an assistance feature, so you'll need to keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times. This is something Nissan has been very clear about.
Nissan has also been working on single-pedal operation for the Leaf. Using the new e-Pedal, Leaf owners can effectively drive without using the brake pedal.
Instead, all you would need to do is take your foot off the gas and the regenerative braking system would stop the car while recharging the battery.
In front of the driver is a beautifully rendered configurable TFT display coupled with a traditional analog gauge.
The seven-inch touchscreen in the center stack is less impressive. The Nissan's infotainment system feels dated in design and presentation.
However, the system was fairly easy to use. The availability of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also helps improve the user experience.
Our test car came with an energy efficient, seven-speaker Bose premium sound system. We found the sound quality to be solid, but far from industry leading.
The Leaf boasts room for five passengers.
And 23 cubic feet of cargo. Incredibly, both cargo and passenger volumes remain unchanged from the outgoing model.
But the biggest change happened under the hood.
The old Leaf's 80 kW electric motor has been replaced by a more powerful 110 kW unit that produces 147 horsepower. The new car also gets a larger 40 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
The result is a major improvement in range and acceleration. Car and Driver reported 0-60 mph time of just 7.4 seconds. That's a significant improvement over the gen one car's 10.4 second time.
Range has also improved from 107 miles to 151 miles.
According to Nissan, the Leaf's battery can be replenished in 7.5 hours using a 220v charger. A quick charge that takes 40 minutes to deliver an 80% charge is also possible.
Overall, the Nissan Leaf delivered a very impressive driving experience. It was comfortable, quiet, and ultra-smooth. As with every EV we've tested, acceleration is punchy off the line with maximum torque available on demand.
The verdict.
The new Leaf is a solid second effort from Nissan. The Leaf looks terrific while its interior fit and finish convey an almost premium air about it. It's also packed to the gills with infotainment and driver's assistance technology.
However, there remains one glaring fault with the Leaf, and it's the range. At 151 miles, it's certainly a major improvement over the outgoing model. But, range anxiety is still a problem anything less than 200 miles on a single charge is no longer competitive. As a result, both Tesla's Model 3 and Chevy's Bolt have aimed for 220 and 238 respectively. Both offer comparably priced models. Although the Model 3 tends to live at the higher end of the pricing spectrum.
A larger 60 kWh battery pack with 225 miles of range is rumored to be on the way. If that's the case, it's an option that can't come quickly enough.
Regardless, Nissan has built a very good car and even with its decided lack of range, deserves a close look if you're in the market for an EV.
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