2021 Nissan Leaf SL Plus in Sundown Drift Chromaflair paint (a $395 choice)
2021 Nissan Leaf SL Plus
Class: Electrical Car
Miles pushed: 179
Battery capability: 62 kWh
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B+ |
| Energy and Efficiency | A- |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gasoline Economic system | A |
| Worth | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of your complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Huge & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” score based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 214 horsepower |
| Engine Sort | Electrical motor |
| Transmission | Automated |
| Drive | Entrance-wheel drive |
EPA-estimate MPGe: 114 metropolis/94 hwy/104 mixed
EPA-estimated driving vary: 215 miles
Shopper Information vary estimate (ideally suited circumstances): 215+ miles
Base value: $43,920 (not together with $925 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check car: Splash guards ($200), premium paint ($395), carpeted ground mats and cargo-area mat ($190)
Value as examined: $45,630
Fast Hits
The good: Responsive acceleration; partaking dealing with; inexpensive pricing for a pure-electric car
The great: Good choice of consolation, security, and expertise options; properly completed inside in SL Plus trim
The not so good: Most driving vary doesn’t match most rival EVs; rear seat backs don’t fold flat with the cargo ground
Extra Leaf value and availability data
John Biel
In the event you’re a devoted consumer of a totally electrical motorcar, the PLUS variations of the Nissan LEAF—with full-charge working ranges that exceed 200 miles—in all probability seem to be a good suggestion. In the event you’re a no-nonsense range-über-alles EV proprietor, the LEAF SL PLUS in all probability represents the peak of mindless extravagance.
The PLUS bundle, with a 160-kW motor served by a 62-kWh battery, is out there on all three LEAF trim ranges. Nevertheless, the EPA’s maximum-range estimate for the essential S PLUS is 226 miles, whereas SV and SL PLUS vary is projected at 215 miles—and the line-topping SL begins at $5700 greater than the S.
The Nissan Leaf was redesigned for the 2018 mannequin 12 months, and after receiving updates for 2019 and 2020, it rolls into 2021 with no modifications.
Shopper Information examined one among these silent sybarites that, for 2021, begin at $44,845 with supply, although a trio of stand-alone choices pushed the ultimate value to $45,630. It continues to be a comfortable-riding and pretty roomy compact hatchback sedan with commendable zip.
A fast overview of the second-generation LEAF that bowed for 2018 recollects that the PLUS power-and-range enhance got here in for 2019. After including customary security options for the ’20 mannequin 12 months, it comes into 2021 unchanged. The ask for the SL PLUS is $3450 increased than the midrange SV with the identical powerplant. The upcharge fetches an digital parking brake, ProPILOT Help light-autonomy adaptive cruise management and steering, Clever Round View Monitor, Clever Driver Alertness Monitor, LED headlights and daytime operating lights, LED turn-signal indicators within the heated energy mirrors, auto-dimming rearview mirror, Homelink common transceiver, rear cargo cowl, leather-based seats with 8-way energy adjustment for the motive force’s seat, and a 7-speaker Bose Vitality Environment friendly Sequence audio system. (The SL’s 3930-pound curb weight is 16 kilos greater than the SV PLUS weighs.)
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In SL Plus trim, the Leaf’s cabin boasts a pleasant roster of upscale options. The weird “hockey puck” shifter takes just a little getting used to. A swap forward of the shifter controls the “e-Pedal” drive mode–activating the e-Pedal makes the electrical motor’s regenerative braking extra aggressive, which permits the car to come back to an entire cease in sure driving conditions simply by lifting off the throttle pedal; making use of the brakes isn’t essential.
Different notable customary options are a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel; heated entrance seats; Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility; NissanConnect infotainment with 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, satellite tv for pc radio, and distant vehicle-monitoring system; 17-inch alloy wheels; and a charge-port gentle. Security and driver help are boosted by the Security Protect 360 group: blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automated headlight high-beam management. Different customary tech objects are a forward-collision warning, Nissan’s Clever Lane Intervention (to assist maintain the automotive in its lane when lane markings are clear), and Rear Door Alert.
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Contemplating the compact-hatchback dimensions, the Leaf affords respectable house within the entrance and rear seats.
The PLUS motor/battery outstrips the bottom unit by quite a bit. Obtainable solely in S and SV trim, the latter consists of a 110-kW motor and 40-kWh lithium-ion battery good for 147 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. Projected vary is 149 miles. Along with its better vary, the PLUS powerplant is extra highly effective at 214 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. It delivers vigorous, linear acceleration and makes the LEAF PLUS able to simply sustaining protected expressway cruising speeds.
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The Leaf affords a good 23.6 cubic ft of cargo quantity, which grows to 30 cu. ft. with the rear seat backs folded. The seat backs don’t fold flush with the cargo ground, nonetheless, and the audio system’s subwoofer (which is mounted simply behind the seats) takes up house as effectively. The provided charging cable comes with a soft-sided carrying case.
This reviewer took over the check automotive with an indicated cost degree of 99 %. With commuting-time temperatures within the 30s and low 40s Fahrenheit and the warmth on, his check stint of 72.5 miles (with 49 % city-type operation) left cost degree at 64 % and indicated vary at 138 miles, that means a visit of 200-plus miles in these driving circumstances was potential—and clicking off the heater confirmed remaining vary would have inched as much as 144 miles. Tapped into the 240-volt charger on the CG workplaces, the automotive reported is would want 4 hours and 40 minutes to return to full cost, however a “Degree 3” quick-charge port is in-built to allow sooner charging. The EPA charges the SV/ SL PLUS at 114 MPGe in metropolis driving, 94 on the freeway, and 104 mixed; respective figures for the S PLUS are 118/97/108.
Information to Electrical Car Charging
The Leaf consists of each a 6.6 kW cost port (the smaller port with the orange cowl) and a 100 kW CHAdeMO cost port (blue cowl). The charge-port gentle makes plugging in at evening or in a darkish storage a lot simpler.
The front-wheel-drive second-generation LEAF shows nimble dealing with—it’s an excellent metropolis automotive for extra than simply its gasless operation—and a clean trip. In speedier expressway driving anticipate to listen to just a little little bit of wind and street noise. On the flick of a console lever, drivers can summon e-Pedal for “one-pedal” operation. When the accelerator pedal is launched all the way in which, regenerative and friction brakes are utilized mechanically, bringing the automotive to an entire cease on degree floor or slopes with out want of the brake pedal. The LEAF will maintain its place till the accelerator is pressed once more.
