2022 Nissan Leaf review: A great EV value
Our Verdict
The 2022 Nissan Leafage is non the sleekest car just Nissan has pulled off what no other EV manufacturer has done to date: an EV that can be bought for less than $twenty,000. This is a great first EV for new buyers.
For
- Low price
- Competitive range
- Smart driving features standard
Against
- Slower charging standard
- Noticeable route and wind noise
- Tiresome design
Tom's Guide Verdict
The 2022 Nissan Leaf is non the sleekest auto but Nissan has pulled off what no other EV manufacturer has done to date: an EV that tin be bought for less than $xx,000. This is a great first EV for new buyers.
Pros
- +
Depression cost
- +
Competitive range
- +
Smart driving features standard
Cons
- -
Slower charging standard
- -
Noticeable route and wind dissonance
- -
Boring pattern
2022 Nissan Leafage: Specs
Release date: Out now
Price: Starting at $27,400 (MSRP); as tested $37,400
Power: Single motor forepart-wheel drive
Horsepower: 147hp
Bombardment range: 149 to 226
Summit speed: 90 mph
Smarts: ProPilot Assist. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Automobile
The 2022 Nissan Leaf is often disregarded in EV discussions. The Leaf, beginning introduced in 2010, usually gets snubbed by the likes of Tesla, which has captured imaginations with its futuristic tech and a bombastic CEO. But, the 2022 Nissan Leaf is worthy of some attention, every bit information technology's now the cheapest EV on the market — and one with over 100 miles of range to kick.
We spent a little over ii weeks inside the Leaf, on loan from Nissan. Nosotros were impressed by how easy it was to first upwardly and go. For those looking to buy their first EV, the 2022 Nissan Leaf is a nifty feature-rich entry bespeak. With a maximum range of 226 miles, it'south great for grocery runs or traveling around boondocks, though the lower 149-mile range selection might non be enough for some.
Nissan has been quick to promote the fact the 2022 Leaf can be bought for under $xx,000. Some might argue that it's not really a truthful sub-$20K vehicle as it requires the buyer to redeem a potential government taxation credit of up to $7,500. And to an extent, I concord.
Even if the car is fix to exist replaced by 2025, with an all-electric Micra and a crossover SUV, that doesn't change the fact that the 2022 Leaf is currently the cheapest electric car on sale in the Us.
But pricing discussions aside, the Nissan Leaf is not a perfect EV. The lane assist and infotainment system, while good compared to other car manufacturers, lags far behind what the likes of Tesla is throwing under the hood.
The interior quality is about on par with the segment, although some plastics tin experience a piffling hollow to the touch. And the exterior design still looks like a squat gerbil. Even and so, for the boilerplate driver looking for a daily commuter, it'southward hard to go wrong with the 2022 Nissan Foliage.
Nissan Leaf review: Release engagement, pricing and trim levels
The 2022 Nissan Leaf is available now and comes in five different models. The lower stop Foliage S has a paltry xl kWh battery with an estimated range of 149 miles. This model starts at $27,400, and it's this unit, which later on taking the total $7,500 taxation credit into account, that can hit a sub-$20K price point.
The pinnacle finish of the Leaf range is the Foliage SL Plus. This doesn't take the highest range in the lineup, with 215 miles in the tank, but its $37,400 price tag does include Bose speakers and fractional leather seats.
Potential buyers volition likely want to opt for either the S Plus, which includes the 62 kWh bombardment and 226 miles of range for $32,400, or the SV Plus. That has a slightly lower range of 215 miles, but the increased $35,400 toll tag includes 17" aluminum-alloy wheels, an accommodating camera system, LED headlights, ProPilot assist and the optional Door to Door Navigation with Premium Traffic. Unfortunately we were not able to examination this final feature.
It should be noted, Nissan'southward ProPilot Assistance, Nissan's driver aid organisation, is but available on the SV, SV Plus and SL Plus models.
Nissan Leafage review: Range, battery and charging
The 2022 Nissan Leaf has middling range. While the 215 mile range Nissan claims sounds like a lot, your real world driving range will all depend on how you drive. I was faced with a tour of hot conditions that forced me to crank on the air conditioning, and lowered how much range I could squeeze out of the battery. Wind resistance or other environmental factors can as well play a function.
Plus, Houston, being a widespread city connected past e'er-widening price roads, makes even a trip to the grocery store a multi-mile romp. Really, the Leaf is less ideal in widespread cities. Information technology's non impossible to use, simply daily commuters should brand sure to recharge information technology overnight.
In our review of the Volkswagen ID.4, tested in the Bay Surface area of California, nosotros found that daily use exceeded VW'southward range estimates in some instances. That was not the case with the Foliage.
Often, at to the lowest degree in the humid Texas estrus, range seemed to slip more quickly than what Nissan estimated. Granted, considering Houston has miles of highways, speed limits hither are higher, and fifty-fifty and so, drivers often drive far past posted speeds. One highway in Texas, SH 130, has a speed limit of 85mph. Driving at high speed with the A/C cranked up will invariably employ more energy.
Anyone looking to purchase the lower-end S or SV models with 149-miles of range, should simply practice then if you are certain your daily driving will non exceed that. And requite yourself some buffer, as hot days will require more electricity to go along the internal cabin cool, while peculiarly cold days will subtract the overall range the battery can shop.
In one instance, range anxiety came to head with the poor EV charging infrastructure that continues to plague America. I night equally I was driving the Leafage, I came to notice that my range was getting uncomfortably low. So low that getting home might be an event. I then loaded up Google Maps to effort and find a nearby CHAdeMO charger.
I could only find 1 nearby, which was located in the parking lot of a Whole Foods, considering, of class. When I got there, some other vehicle was using the lonely CHAdeMO plug, meaning I had to wait. It was a frustrating inconvenience, none of which is Nissan's mistake, but something to consider for buyers not living on the coasts.
Either way, the Nissan Leaf has 2 charge ports. One is the faster CHAdeMO charge port which can charge at speeds between 50kW and 100 kW — depending on what model you get. This can give drivers an 80% charge effectually twoscore minutes. The Foliage besides has a Blazon 1 AC accuse port which can plug into any sometime electrical socket (with an adapter) or a fast habitation charger.
Using a standard 120 volt electric socket ways information technology tin can take over two days to fully charge the Leaf. But most likely, home owners will opt to have a defended charge point installed in their garage, giving a full charge in around 11.v hours.
Unfortunately, the 2022 Leaf sticks with the CHAdeMO charging port, and while popular in Asia this plug has been supplanted by the CCS charging standard in EU and the U.South. To the indicate where even the upcoming Nissan Ariya has ditched CHAdeMO for the faster, and more widely-used CCS.
Nissan Leaf review: Interior and cargo space
Some motorcar reviewers like to wax about plushness of leather or the light fuzz of an Alcantara steering wheel. Unfortunately, flowery linguistic communication will not be necessary for the interior of the 2022 Nissan Leaf.
If there's one word to sum up the interior of the Nissan Leaf, information technology would exist "fine." The interior itself doesn't stand out as beingness overly futuristic or having sweeping lines that decrescendo into forepart he dash to the doors. The styling is very typical for the Foliage'due south price indicate, and is very Nissan.
What that means is that things are laid out cleanly. There'southward a touchscreen in the center with a few buttons and knobs to the side. While traditional automakers are trying to copy Tesla's all-screen approach, I find this trend a little annoying and think it's good Nissan bucked it.
Fiddling with a touchscreen while screaming down the highway at 75mph is not safety. Tactile buttons that can be pressed with muscle retentivity are far safer for the average driver.
Withal it would have been dainty to accept a higher resolution screen on par with a modern tablet. I couldn't help but observe the pixelation around the Spotify icon when plugging in my phone. The screen was besides laggy at times, and seems to be running at a lower frame charge per unit.
Regardless, underneath the display are what look like spread wings with more buttons for various other climate related functions.
Underneath the instrument cluster is the Leaf'southward defining trinket, it's swooping blue and silvery shift lever. The bluish shift lever has been with the Foliage since its outset-generation blueprint. In role, drivers can slide it upward to reverse or down to park.
Information technology'south odd at showtime coming from a traditional lever, but it's easy to acquire and far more elegant. The swooping wave-like blue pattern looks striking, and is ordinarily the first thing people notice when entering the Leaf. While yes, it's zero more than a polished piece of plastic, it does show how adding little design cues can make a car feel more than special for drivers.
On our Leaf review unit, seats were decently comfy, though far from the sinking soft seats you might find in a luxury German language sedan. The seats and steering wheel can also exist heated with the touch of a button, although cooled seats would have been a prissy addition on gluey Houston September days.
Going towards the back, there's a decent amount of rear passenger infinite. And those of moderate height can sit pretty comfortably. The rear center console does have air-conditioning vents, as well as USB charging ports.
The cargo space in the Nissan Leaf is unexpectedly squat. While the car might await large from photos, information technology'southward actually a relatively small car compared to something like a Toyota Camry. It tin can handle a solid grocery run, only a heavy trip to a warehouse store similar Costco or Sam's Lodge might be tough. Luckily, the seats exercise fold down giving 23.6x30 cubic feet of body space.
Nissan Leaf review: Tech and safety features
The 2022 Nissan Foliage isn't adorned in cutting border high tech like the Mustang Mach-E or the Tesla Model 3. Starting at the meridian, the near impressive feature is the ProPilot Assistance, a lane assist feature that keeps the Leaf in between highway lanes and behind the motorcar ahead.
In our experience, this hands-on driving help feature worked okay, only required more focus than nosotros would prefer. If the highway is direct, then the Leafage can manage well. Simply if the Leaf approaches a winding corner, it tin beginning to weave in an try to stay centered.
And if coming on to an on-ramp or a part of the highway that connects to some other, I couldn't assist merely find myself gripping the wheel and readying the brake pedal to ho-hum down so that I could ease into the winding corner.
The characteristic besides required hands to exist touching it every 30 seconds or so, which is meant to go on the driver'southward focus on the road. Luckily, I could rest my hands towards the lesser of the steering bicycle instead of beingness at 9 and three at all times.
Apart from that, what I did like was what Nissan calls the Around View Monitor. This characteristic uses cameras around the vehicle to give a birds eye view of when parking. That can exist a tremendous help in preventing a dented fender, or from clipping any passersby. The fact that it's at present a standard feature is a huge plus and Nissan should exist commended for its inclusion.
The Leaf does include both Apple tree CarPlay and Android Auto, just unfortunately there's no wireless charging.
Equally for safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Leaf a five star safety rating, with frontal crash receiving four stars and side crash receiving v.
While I personally didn't get into a crash in the Nissan Leaf, I did feel safe in the vehicle. And the Leafage, while minor, does have a stout stature, making information technology look larger than it really is. The added headroom likewise helps those in obnoxiously big pickup trucks meet the Foliage meliorate, which is helpful.
Nissan Leaf review: Driving at an instant
As someone who's grown up driving internal combustion engines, this is the commencement time I've spent a significant amount of fourth dimension with an all-electric motorcar. And honestly, my experience was very positive.
The one affair I want to impress upon readers, peculiarly those considering their first EV, using the Leaf is actually very smartphone-similar. At that place'southward no ignition sound or the rumbling of an engine. Getting in the Foliage and turning it on is as seamless as pushing the ability button.
It means that there's no need to wait for the engine to warm upwardly. The turning of rotors or 0blasting of pistons means there's absolutely no vibration. Pulling out of the driveway is weirdly smooth. And honestly, I'd rather commute in an EV over a traditional vehicle merely for these tiny comforts.
As for the drive itself, the Nissan Leaf is not the virtually luxurious. The break picks up bumps, while the low rolling resistance Michelin Energy tires also squeal easily. The Leaf picks upwardly a lot of route noise and there's trivial in the way of sound deadening cloth. So you lot end up hearing a lot of what's going on outside, peculiarly when it'southward windy. But these are all compromises that need to be made as EV technology is nigh maximizing range above all else.
For me, I grew used to some of these balmy annoyances. Often, I would accept a podcast playing, so much of the drone of the route was tuned out. As for the ride, for those who bulldoze sub-$30K vehicles, it might be on the lower-stop of ride quality, but is by no ways as crude as driving a get-kart. While not as smooth as a Toyota Camry, it is closer to a Honda Civic or Mazda 3.
The Nissan Leaf has a few driving modes. Most drivers volition continue it at Eco for the greatest range. In this mode, the regenerative braking is more aggressive and the car limits dispatch.
The standard drive way unleashes the instant acceleration of the electric motor, allowing for peppier runs from stop signs. Honestly, if I weren't so worried about the Leaf's range, I would have kept it on the standard bulldoze mode during most of my testing. Information technology's a good bit of fun, and is a slap-up party flim-flam to surprise passengers with. Although, it's nowhere near the ludicrous speeds that Tesla drivers get to play with.
There's likewise a restriction driving mode, which puts more onus on the regenerative braking, as well as an e-pedal style. This latter lets drivers use one pedal for both accelerating and braking. Pressing the accelerator will increase speed, whereas letting go will employ braking power. I personally plant this mode nauseating, as the braking was also intense for neighborhood driving, and I was worried almost hitting the machine in front.
The actual steering feel was a chip muted, but that'south to be expected of a commuter-focused EV.
Nissan Foliage review: Verdict
The Nissan Leaf is a practiced EV. Information technology's non the all-time nor volition it make Nissan CEO Makato Uchida the second richest man in the world. Just it has a very specific task and information technology accomplishes it respectfully.
Nissan did not go out to make an earth shattering EV. It instead did the responsible affair and made an everyday EV, a car used for going to soccer do or commuting to piece of work. Most chiefly, it put it at a competitive price, chirapsia Tesla to the sub-$30K and sub-$20K (with incentives) toll bespeak. Not only that, it'southward priced within striking range of the Toyota Prius.
I remember the Leaf is the nigh important car in Nissan's lineup. It helped Nissan establish itself in the EV space and is assuasive the company to stride frontwards into the upcoming Nissan Ariya, which volition take on the Tesla Model Y, the Volkswagen ID.four and the Mustang Mach-E. If the Foliage hadn't existed for the terminal ten years, it'south hard to tell if Nissan would have been able to put together what looks to be a compelling EV crossover.
The Nissan Leaf is not an ideal road tripper, is not the well-nigh comfy driver, nor will its acceleration peel off eyelids. Just the Leaf still does an acceptable job given its toll bespeak and category. And for the right buyer, the Nissan Leaf is the perfect EV to jump into. At to the lowest degree it is until the launch of the Foliage's replacement, a still-unnamed crossover SUV that Nissan has confirmed volition be available from 2025.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/2022-nissan-leaf
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