Nissan Leaf Finishes a Proud Decade of Innovation
The world owes a debt of gratitude to the Nissan Leaf. This valiant little hatchback blazed the trail for today’s electric vehicles.when the
2011 Leaf was introduced in December of 2010, it was the first EV to enjoy wide success with consumers. It had a top speed of just 93 mph and took a leisurely ten seconds to get from zero to sixty, but consumers with nobler priorities only cared about one statistic: zero tailpipe emissions. Seventy-three miles of range wasn’t much, but the Leaf ’s impact on the automotive industry would be far reaching. By late 2019, over 400,000 Leafs had been sold worldwide, bringing great satisfaction to folks on a budget looking to help fight climate change.
Like the Toyota Prius, the original Leaf had distinctive aerodynamic styling that made it extremely noticeable. Every feature was designed to reduce the drag coefficient, and the concave back end made the thrifty fledgling stand out in a crowd. To some it looked dorky, but Leaf owners saw only beauty. It was quickly recognized across the globe as a marvel of innovation, earning the Green Car Vision Award, European Car of the Year, World Car of the Year, and Car of the Year Japan. Tesla was making EVS that were just as impressive, but Nissan had a green product that average people could afford.
The second generation was introduced in 2018, and the 2020 Leaf models are among the finest EVS available today. You can pay the dealership as little as $31,600 or as much as $44,000 for a Leaf, and you’ll knock off almost ten grand using government incentives. The Leaf still qualifies for the $7,500 federal tax credit and the $2,000 California rebate. At each price point, Nissan’s classic runabout competes nicely with other affordable EVS.
When it comes to EV specs, the Leaf has no glaring weaknesses. There are now two variations of the electric drive train. The standard models, the S and SV, use a 40-kwh battery to crank a 110-kilowatt motor, providing 149 miles of range and 147 horses. The Leaf Plus models jack up the horsepower to 214 with a 160kilowatt motor and a 62-kwh battery. The SV Plus and the SL Plus can go 215 miles on a charge, while the S Plus stretches it out to 226, over three times the range of the original Leaf. Electric fuel economy is respectable, ranging from 104 to 111 combined MPGE depending on the model. All models have front wheel drive, excellent regenerative braking, thoughtful amenities, and a 6.6-kilowatt onboard charger.
One feature that’s missing from the 2020 is that unmistakable concave hatch. When the Leaf was remodeled in 2018, the new derriere just wasn’t the same. If you’re fond of the old profile because it reminds you of an era when love for the planet first made its mark on automobiles, you’re not alone. But get yourself a new one. They’re way better.