LEAF Matures into Effective EV

CHATHAM, Mass. – Nissan turned over a new LEAF with the second generation of the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle (EV), turning it into a much more legitimate everyday vehicle.

Range more than anything else limited the usability of the initial versions of the small four-door sedan, topping out at 73 miles on a full charge. The 2024 Nissan LEAF SV Plus I recently sampled has a federal Environmental Protection Agency conservative rating of up to 212 miles; based on the 4.5 miles per kW I averaged, it was capable of going more than 250 on a full charge of its 60 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

Single-motor, front-wheel drive powertrain

Motivation for the LEAF SV Plus comes from a 160 kW AC synchronous electric motor producing 214 horsepower and 250 pounds-feet of torque. This power is transferred to the front wheels through a single-speed, gear-reducer transmission.

The powertrain results in spirited performance, getting the 3,900-pound sedan from 0-60 miles per hour (according to Car and Driver testing) in 7.4 seconds. And the power, thanks to the 100 percent of an electric motor’s torque being available immediately, comes on as soon as the accelerator pedal is depressed. The lack of any lag as the driver accelerates makes the LEAF feel even quicker than the numbers indicate.

Speaking of quick, the 2024 LEAF SV Plus can be quick-charged to 80 percent of the battery’s capacity in 60 minutes with a Level 3 charger plugged into the specific quick-charge port (which shares space at the front of the LEAF with the standard charge port), something the first-generation LEAF could not accomplish.

Thanks to the Level 2 Autel MaxiCharger AC Wallbox Home unit in my garage, plugging in every evening meant I had a fully replenished battery the next morning.

One additional means of replenishing the electricity in the battery is through regenerative brakingv which reverses the direction of the electric motor, thus turning into a generator.

There are three driver-selectable drive modes, all impacting the amount of regen. In normal, regen occurs as the driver eases pressure on the accelerator pedal. Eco increases the amount of regen (while also reducing motor output and HVAC power, all to extend range) and B-mode is an even more aggressive regen setting during deceleration.

The LEAF’s regenerative-braking capability also allows for one-pedal driving which Nissan calls e-Pedal driving. Activating this system allows the driver to forego the brake pedal as decreasing pressure on the accelerator pedal slows the vehicle, eventually allowing it to come to a complete stop.

I love one-pedal driving. Once I become comfortable with an individual EV’s one-pedal characteristics, I find relying on it second nature. In general, driving the LEAF was a pleasure – it was quick, smooth and comfortable.

A straightforward platform

While the powertrain features modern EV technology, the basic platform of the LEAF is straightforward and effective. Up front the suspension setup includes independent MacPherson-type struts with coil springs and stabilizer bar, with the rear consisting of a torsion beam with integrated stabilizer bar.

The power-assisted friction-brake system features vented rotors front and rear, the fronts 11.14×1.1 inches, the rears 11.5×0.63 inches. Anti-lock (ABS) and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) are part of the system’s makeup.

Aluminum-alloy wheels measuring 17 inches in diameter, shod with All-season 215/50R17 Michelin Energy Saver tires, complete the major platform component list.

Long list of ADAS

The 2024 Nissan LEAF SV Plus comes with a thorough group of standard advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), more than many sub-$40,000 vehicles.

The systems include Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist (which in conjunction with the advanced cruise-control, will help steer, maintain lane integrity and slow/stop the LEAF when engaged while driving on a highway); automatic-emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian protection; rear AEB; intelligent forward-collision warning; blind-spot warning; blind-spot intervention; rear cross-traffic alert; around-view monitor, and intelligent lane intervention.

Major complement of interior features

The eight-inch color LCD touchscreen in the top-center of the dash provides the primary controls for the LEAF’s infotainment system which include standard door-to-door navigation; SiriusXM satellite radio; wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and Bluetooth streaming smartphone connectivity.

Also included in the LEAF SV Plus package is NissanConnect® EV (telematics) which allows remote connection to vehicle, including monitoring battery state of charge/charging status, start charging event and turn on HVAC system (I could not test this system – a no-charge subscription is required).

Priced like a true mass-market subcompact EV

The subcompact – 176 inches long — LEAF family consists of two trim levels. The entry version S model, with 40 kWh battery and 147 horsepower motor, carries a $28,140 base price.

The more comprehensively equipped SV Plus like I drove starts at $36,190. The test model had three options (two-tone paint, $695; splash guards, $245, and carpeted floor mats and cargo mat, $285), so with the $1,095 destination charge it totaled $38,510.

There are very few EVs as fully equipped as the LEAV SV Plus for under $40,000 in today’s U.S. auto market, which makes this Nissan very deserving of being on the shopping list of anyone interested in pure electric motoring.