I love my 2012 24kWh Leaf, but I do feel that you should have given a more balanced picture of what people should expect when getting a used Leaf. 10min of (totally valid) enthusiasm, but only 10sec advising that some early batteries should be avoided with no explanation of how to identify them nor the consequences of owning them. I'm left suspecting much of Dr. McTurk's advice was cut from this edit to satisfy "the algorithm".
Had my 30kwh Leaf for 18months now. I live in a rural area and find the handling very good on twisty tight roads, the low battery weight plants the Leaf better than comparable ice cars. I’ve seen a few reviews that say the Leafs handling is soft & wallowy, I don’t find this in my 2017 model. It’s fun!
Excellent cars: I leased one in 2013 and again in 2016: since 2019 I've been loving my Kona, but still rather fond of the Leaf. I drove my 24 kWh Leaf right around the UK, from Glasgow to Lands End, Hastings, and back up the A1 - such a fun trip in 2015 when chargers were like hens teeth!
Hello, do you know whether the 24kWh battery chemistry in the 2017 Leaf changed from the Lizard pack? Also is the battery chemistry in that 2017 Leaf the same chemistry as that in the 40kWh Leaf?
2024 quote from Perth (WA) for battery replacement for 2014 Leaf 23kWh battery - inspection $560, if batt is OK, cost is $11,000, if not OK, cost is $38,000! So assuming the battery is OK, we are looking at $11,560 for a 23kWh battery and more for later and larger batteries. Have asked Northside Nissan when batt is considered NOK and am still waiting. Is it NOK when the 96 cells show a min/max voltage difference of more than x milliVolts or SOHealth of batt is less than 50% or what? Am still waiting as I can plug in my dongle at a second-hand stealership and do this Leafspy test in ten minutes and save $560!
The LEAF is going to be a classic! Some people might ridicule it for its quirky looks, but it really grows on you, and I've never thought that the LEAF was ugly in any way. The batteries unfortunately will likely be the first thing to wear out, but it's not a sudden death and more like a slow decline. But we're still talking about 15 years at least before that happens. And if the LEAF is only used as a city runabout, the short range shouldn't be too big a deal. On the plus side, it is the one EV which is relatively easy to change its battery, so simple in fact that most amateurs can do a battery swap themselves, provided they have access to a car hoist. And there is an active aftermarket scene that is re-using, sometimes rebuilding, batteries for old LEAFs to give them a new lease of life. There's even a company in New Zealand working on a liquid cooled LFP 40kWh battery pack which is being followed with great interest by a lot of LEAF owners.
Thank you for taking the time to leave this comment. The Nissan Leaf is indeed a classic and the first introduction for many to the world of electric vehicles and as an icon of the automotive industry we agree that it will have many year of life ahead of it.
You casually mention the V2L bi-directional charger and state that it can power your home… that would be great! BUT the Wallbox Quasar shown is NOT AVAILABLE in the UK, neither is the Quasar 2 which supports CCS bi-directional on some cars. They are available in N.America and some European countries.. but not here. How about doing a video about V2H, find which cars are compatible and see if you can find ANY units which are available to us in the UK - and lobby for more!!
Nice review of a great car, we still sell more of these than any other used EV and as you say, they are pretty bullet-proof if looked after properly. Great work!
Owned one. Its Achilles heel is lack of thermal management resulting in battery degradation esp if u leave in a climate that is too cold or hot. Also lacks acceleration and loses range rapidly if you don't drive like a grandmother. Either get a Tesla or a gas/hybrid car.
I love my 2012 24kWh Leaf, but I do feel that you should have given a more balanced picture of what people should expect when getting a used Leaf. 10min of (totally valid) enthusiasm, but only 10sec advising that some early batteries should be avoided with no explanation of how to identify them nor the consequences of owning them.
I'm left suspecting much of Dr. McTurk's advice was cut from this edit to satisfy "the algorithm".
Excellent! I bought a 2016 Acenta a year ago. It was my first EV and I'm totally sold on it. Never going back to ICE
Thank you for the comment - glad you enjoyed the review!
Just bought a 66 reg 30kwh Acenta with 25k miles for 6k. What a bargain, I think? Guess time will tell but I reckon I've struck lucky this time
Had my 30kwh Leaf for 18months now. I live in a rural area and find the handling very good on twisty tight roads, the low battery weight plants the Leaf better than comparable ice cars. I’ve seen a few reviews that say the Leafs handling is soft & wallowy, I don’t find this in my 2017 model. It’s fun!
Excellent cars: I leased one in 2013 and again in 2016: since 2019 I've been loving my Kona, but still rather fond of the Leaf. I drove my 24 kWh Leaf right around the UK, from Glasgow to Lands End, Hastings, and back up the A1 - such a fun trip in 2015 when chargers were like hens teeth!
Thanks for your comment Rob! The FP team
Just picked up a 2016 Leaf 24, rather than high price PCP. A truly solid electric runabout.
Hello, do you know whether the 24kWh battery chemistry in the 2017 Leaf changed from the Lizard pack? Also is the battery chemistry in that 2017 Leaf the same chemistry as that in the 40kWh Leaf?
2024 quote from Perth (WA) for battery replacement for 2014 Leaf 23kWh battery - inspection $560, if batt is OK, cost is $11,000, if not OK, cost is $38,000!
So assuming the battery is OK, we are looking at $11,560 for a 23kWh battery and more for later and larger batteries.
Have asked Northside Nissan when batt is considered NOK and am still waiting. Is it NOK when the 96 cells show a min/max voltage difference of more than x milliVolts or SOHealth of batt is less than 50% or what? Am still waiting as I can plug in my dongle at a second-hand stealership and do this Leafspy test in ten minutes and save $560!
Yes. Especially when selling!!
The LEAF is going to be a classic! Some people might ridicule it for its quirky looks, but it really grows on you, and I've never thought that the LEAF was ugly in any way. The batteries unfortunately will likely be the first thing to wear out, but it's not a sudden death and more like a slow decline. But we're still talking about 15 years at least before that happens. And if the LEAF is only used as a city runabout, the short range shouldn't be too big a deal.
On the plus side, it is the one EV which is relatively easy to change its battery, so simple in fact that most amateurs can do a battery swap themselves, provided they have access to a car hoist. And there is an active aftermarket scene that is re-using, sometimes rebuilding, batteries for old LEAFs to give them a new lease of life. There's even a company in New Zealand working on a liquid cooled LFP 40kWh battery pack which is being followed with great interest by a lot of LEAF owners.
Thank you for taking the time to leave this comment. The Nissan Leaf is indeed a classic and the first introduction for many to the world of electric vehicles and as an icon of the automotive industry we agree that it will have many year of life ahead of it.
You casually mention the V2L bi-directional charger and state that it can power your home… that would be great! BUT the Wallbox Quasar shown is NOT AVAILABLE in the UK, neither is the Quasar 2 which supports CCS bi-directional on some cars. They are available in N.America and some European countries.. but not here. How about doing a video about V2H, find which cars are compatible and see if you can find ANY units which are available to us in the UK - and lobby for more!!
Nice review of a great car, we still sell more of these than any other used EV and as you say, they are pretty bullet-proof if looked after properly. Great work!
Thank you Simon for the comment - glad you enjoyed the review!
Owned one. Its Achilles heel is lack of thermal management resulting in battery degradation esp if u leave in a climate that is too cold or hot. Also lacks acceleration and loses range rapidly if you don't drive like a grandmother. Either get a Tesla or a gas/hybrid car.
Thank you for your comment - the FASTER Project Team
Mines for sale. Getting crushed in July!
2018. 83%. €18k giz a buzz
crushed? Thats a bit haRSH!
The host was slightly unhinged Lol
The range is too low 😢