I am with you in that LEAF marries the simplicity and tecnology in a balanced way. Love the hatch manually operated, also driver seat manually adjustable; I didnt like the backing humming either, so after a few weeks I disconnected the speaker physically (this used to be an option via a button in older LEAFs where you could disabled the sounds). I wish they had easier access to energy consumption data in the screen; I also LOVE amber lights; insanity with vehicles using the braking lights as blinkers you dont see them in many driving scenarios unsafe. The one thing I truly dislike is that it gets too cold in the feet area during winter (Im in Canada) Is not properly insulated. AND when there is snow it does not help is only FWD and it constantly brushes snow due to its low ground clearance. As a commuter car in milder weather is a solid built car.
Here I am a year later. I had the same thoughts at first about the shifter and the storage. I've managed to make peace with the storage and made it work and I have completely become used to the shifter. I actually now prefer it over a protruding shifter stalk because it's so easy to pop it into drive or reverse without even a glance.
Move your tires to 42psi for 10% more range. For the spare tire, there is space for it below the floor if you are willing to mount from underneath behind the air shield. Some have done it. Personally, I throw it in the trunk for long trips.
I bought a LEAF last month, just hit 1700km. Its the best car I've ever owned! I like that its 'normal' without surround LCD screens and a real speedometer. The LCD beside the speedometer is appropriately sized as is the radio/center LCD controls. The physical buttons for climate controls, seat heating, etc. are a perk and less of a distraction. The Leaf also uses more standardized parts and many copies have been sold, so it will make after-market servicing cheaper and better. The only 2 items that I seriously pay attention to that may be a negative are the fact Chademo fast charging didn't become standard in North America and the passive battery cooling. But, there's a CCS to Chademo adapter available (I ordered one). And by all reports I've seen, the Leaf Plus batteries are incredibly reliable. The only realistic issue is when on a long road trip, seeing a throttled fast charge on a 3rd or 4th charge, which does happen. Sure, that's a negative, but you know I got this LEAF for many thousands less than other EV's, so I do not feel dissatisfied. Its a minor issue for the road trips I may take in a year. And considering the thousands I saved by buying a LEAF, I don't consider it a negative at all. I couldn't have entered the EV world without the LEAF being on sale. I think the LEAF is still incredibly relevant and worth buying. They've put many updates into this vehicle over the years, it isn't the same as the 2015 or 2010 models at all.
I like the shifter and the Toyota cars signs like a train too…backing and while driving. There’s storage in the door and the glove compartment and some in the armrest. Get a bag and sit in the car or trunk for additional junk.
Could you keep an eye for the 2016 Nissan Leaf SL version, yes it's half the range of 2019 newer SL trim's, but it's about half the price as well, my concern is how fast you lose that range when the car is driving on the highway, I'm now starting to see this year and trim model from 8,000 to 10,000 with 30,000 to 60,000 miles on used car websites, (I think this is the best Electric car for your money I've seen for your money with it's range even in the 90 miles range still, and still under a 10,000 price point)
Lift up the trunk carpet. Is there a single nut sitting there? If so, your spare tire is UNDER the trunk. Take a look under, the nut is to lower the spare that's held in place by a cage.
Reminds me of a story I heard. Apparently, if you take the bottom off of a coffee can, there is a backup reserve of coffee there for just 1 cup. Nice try.
This is false. The Leaf has a spare tire under the boot floor, holding on with a bolt that you unscrew from the boot. It is easy to check if you have it. I guess it depends on the trim but my basic 2018 model has it.
An engineer's review should include discussion on the major deficiencies of this battery system, imo. Along with some statistical analysis on its range and charging speed under different conditions.
I have done testing. When its below 0F, my range is almost half. That said the car preheats while plugged in, so i went this first winter without scraping ice off my car. I really cant talk about battery depreciation as I've only had it for a year, but LeafSpy says i still have 96% State of Health.
@@floki_raven3829 Since you have LeafSpy, you should be able to disable the backup sound. I had a 2015 Leaf SV and used LeafSpy to fine tune some things. You will need to upgrade to the Pro version.
@@floki_raven3829 ive got a lead foot. i just had to take mine to the shop for possible battery (bladder swelling)....possibly for up to 30 days of testing and getting new codes etc. Seems strange and lengthy to me...
You know there is a tire air compressor and repair kit in the compartment on the left of the rear between the hatch and the wheel well? Leaf has always been this way. They don’t want the weight of the spare and some people don’t know how replace their own tire these days.
Both times ive gotten flats a tire repair kit wouldnt help. Once i bent the rim the other time i hit a small tube. Fix a flat is garbage. The aussies have a spare on their Leaf due to regulations. The amount of weight a tire adds is negligible.
Thanks for sharing! Am also thinking on buying an ev but still debating if I should get the Chevy Bolt (for the tax credit) or the Nissan Leaf S. I think I will go with Nissan Leaf just because Chevy is discontinuing the Bolt at the end of this year.
Just be aware. The fast charger is Chademo, which is basically defunct. The battery dosent have a active temperature management system. I bought mine as a commuter car, dont expect to go on trips in this car. That said its great for what it can do.
@@sdhute there is no chademo to ccs fast charger yet. Im using the Leaf as a commuter car. I doubt i ever have to fast charge. If anything ill charge at a campsite or "destination" charger at a hotel.
@@chriscook509 thank you I was just researching that. If nissan went ccs or nacs like every other mfg this would be one of the most popular cars. It appears some of the electrify America locations offer chademo. To me this leaf is more attractive then the bolt.
This is a commuter car for me. I charge overnight at home. Never have to go to a station. In terms of cold weather, you can schedule prewarming, so my car will auto defrost using grid power. I never have to get in a cold car again. I have 230 miles of range, but a 50 mile round trip commute.
@@jawharris Yeah earlier versions 24kwh,30kwah and 40kwah but 60kwah might be big enough to survive.Even 24kwah people have 50k miles on the original battery suppose 60kwh will get there with 3.0times less cycles of charges then it should also last atleast 3 times longer.
@@ceylontea5877 Sarcasm, I understand. I was thinking maybe cooling systems were leaking in the long run. I live in the NW, so I'm hoping my 40kwh will hold up, it was a great price, 18k for a 40kwh, -2k sales tax credit and 4k tax credit, so effectively 12k.
@@jawharris Just stay away from fast chargers if you can. Keep the battery between 80% and 20% if you can. Lots of good strategies on the Leaf forums. We have several at work and they have been great cars. I'm in the process of deciding if we want another car payment (been about 8 years since the last one). If so, we'll likely buy a low mileage used Leaf.
Im actually am coming around to liking the shifter for the sole reason that when i get to my destination i just turn off the car and it puts itself in park.
Low capacity? I have 200 miles of range but only use like 50 per day. Not sure what hydogen has to do with this.... going to hydrogen fuel cells seems like a step back to bejng less convenient.
@ You’re moving a very heavy battery, with a much higher capacity than you need, rather than a much lighter hydrogen fuel cell and fuel storage which you can fill to your chosen level
@@daniellatz8931 A) not sure that i have seen any hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on the market in the midwest b) No place to get hydrogen gas, even so that would be just as inconvenient as petrol, and appears to be cost comparable to electric c) what does the mass of the vehicle matter?
I just bought a CCS to Chademo adapter. I had a Chademo to Tesla adaptor with the Tesla I owned. The Leaf has better build quality quieter interior nicer ride and no annoying glass roof and I have no idea who the CEO of Nissan is :) unlike Tesla.
The shifter is the same you had in your Prius. Did you forget??
I had a Prius C. It had a standard shifter.
I am with you in that LEAF marries the simplicity and tecnology in a balanced way. Love the hatch manually operated, also driver seat manually adjustable; I didnt like the backing humming either, so after a few weeks I disconnected the speaker physically (this used to be an option via a button in older LEAFs where you could disabled the sounds). I wish they had easier access to energy consumption data in the screen; I also LOVE amber lights; insanity with vehicles using the braking lights as blinkers you dont see them in many driving scenarios unsafe. The one thing I truly dislike is that it gets too cold in the feet area during winter (Im in Canada) Is not properly insulated. AND when there is snow it does not help is only FWD and it constantly brushes snow due to its low ground clearance. As a commuter car in milder weather is a solid built car.
I tried to disconnect the backup sound. I could NOT get it to come apart. I put duct tape over the speakers, quieter.
You can disable the sound - button on the left on your side of the road.
Here I am a year later. I had the same thoughts at first about the shifter and the storage. I've managed to make peace with the storage and made it work and I have completely become used to the shifter. I actually now prefer it over a protruding shifter stalk because it's so easy to pop it into drive or reverse without even a glance.
Move your tires to 42psi for 10% more range. For the spare tire, there is space for it below the floor if you are willing to mount from underneath behind the air shield. Some have done it. Personally, I throw it in the trunk for long trips.
more range, but also more tire wear. Tires are more expensive than electricity.
That sunglasses holder was a feature of the original model and was removed in my 2018 S-spec version. I WISH I had your sunglasses holder!!
I bought a LEAF last month, just hit 1700km. Its the best car I've ever owned! I like that its 'normal' without surround LCD screens and a real speedometer. The LCD beside the speedometer is appropriately sized as is the radio/center LCD controls. The physical buttons for climate controls, seat heating, etc. are a perk and less of a distraction. The Leaf also uses more standardized parts and many copies have been sold, so it will make after-market servicing cheaper and better. The only 2 items that I seriously pay attention to that may be a negative are the fact Chademo fast charging didn't become standard in North America and the passive battery cooling. But, there's a CCS to Chademo adapter available (I ordered one). And by all reports I've seen, the Leaf Plus batteries are incredibly reliable. The only realistic issue is when on a long road trip, seeing a throttled fast charge on a 3rd or 4th charge, which does happen. Sure, that's a negative, but you know I got this LEAF for many thousands less than other EV's, so I do not feel dissatisfied. Its a minor issue for the road trips I may take in a year. And considering the thousands I saved by buying a LEAF, I don't consider it a negative at all. I couldn't have entered the EV world without the LEAF being on sale. I think the LEAF is still incredibly relevant and worth buying. They've put many updates into this vehicle over the years, it isn't the same as the 2015 or 2010 models at all.
I like the shifter and the Toyota cars signs like a train too…backing and while driving. There’s storage in the door and the glove compartment and some in the armrest. Get a bag and sit in the car or trunk for additional junk.
Nissan Leaf is best.😊
Could you keep an eye for the 2016 Nissan Leaf SL version, yes it's half the range of 2019 newer SL trim's, but it's about half the price as well,
my concern is how fast you lose that range when the car is driving on the highway, I'm now starting to see this year and trim model from 8,000 to 10,000 with
30,000 to 60,000 miles on used car websites, (I think this is the best Electric car for your money I've seen for your money with it's range even in the 90 miles range
still, and still under a 10,000 price point)
Lift up the trunk carpet. Is there a single nut sitting there?
If so, your spare tire is UNDER the trunk. Take a look under, the nut is to lower the spare that's held in place by a cage.
Reminds me of a story I heard. Apparently, if you take the bottom off of a coffee can, there is a backup reserve of coffee there for just 1 cup. Nice try.
This is false. The Leaf has a spare tire under the boot floor, holding on with a bolt that you unscrew from the boot. It is easy to check if you have it. I guess it depends on the trim but my basic 2018 model has it.
An engineer's review should include discussion on the major deficiencies of this battery system, imo. Along with some statistical analysis on its range and charging speed under different conditions.
I have done testing. When its below 0F, my range is almost half. That said the car preheats while plugged in, so i went this first winter without scraping ice off my car. I really cant talk about battery depreciation as I've only had it for a year, but LeafSpy says i still have 96% State of Health.
@@floki_raven3829 Since you have LeafSpy, you should be able to disable the backup sound. I had a 2015 Leaf SV and used LeafSpy to fine tune some things. You will need to upgrade to the Pro version.
My main complaint is that the tires wear out before 10,000 miles
I'm at 13,000 and still have a lot of tread left.
@@floki_raven3829 ive got a lead foot. i just had to take mine to the shop for possible battery (bladder swelling)....possibly for up to 30 days of testing and getting new codes etc. Seems strange and lengthy to me...
You know there is a tire air compressor and repair kit in the compartment on the left of the rear between the hatch and the wheel well? Leaf has always been this way. They don’t want the weight of the spare and some people don’t know how replace their own tire these days.
Both times ive gotten flats a tire repair kit wouldnt help. Once i bent the rim the other time i hit a small tube. Fix a flat is garbage. The aussies have a spare on their Leaf due to regulations. The amount of weight a tire adds is negligible.
@@floki_raven3829 I don’t disagree, just stating facts. Maybe slow down a little if you’re bending rims🤷😂
Thanks for sharing! Am also thinking on buying an ev but still debating if I should get the Chevy Bolt (for the tax credit) or the Nissan Leaf S. I think I will go with Nissan Leaf just because Chevy is discontinuing the Bolt at the end of this year.
Just be aware. The fast charger is Chademo, which is basically defunct. The battery dosent have a active temperature management system. I bought mine as a commuter car, dont expect to go on trips in this car. That said its great for what it can do.
@@floki_raven3829this one makes sense to bad Nissan didn’t go CCS have you tried a ccs adapter ?
@@sdhute there is no chademo to ccs fast charger yet. Im using the Leaf as a commuter car. I doubt i ever have to fast charge. If anything ill charge at a campsite or "destination" charger at a hotel.
@@chriscook509 thank you I was just researching that. If nissan went ccs or nacs like every other mfg this would be one of the most popular cars. It appears some of the electrify America locations offer chademo. To me this leaf is more attractive then the bolt.
@Tron-Jockey Hopefully Nissan keeps it going into 25 with whatever upgrades are needed.
What about charge time, range, cold weather driving, that kind of thing?
This is a commuter car for me. I charge overnight at home. Never have to go to a station. In terms of cold weather, you can schedule prewarming, so my car will auto defrost using grid power. I never have to get in a cold car again. I have 230 miles of range, but a 50 mile round trip commute.
Best commuter I like the no liquid cooling for longevity specially the plus long range.
I assumed the liquid cooling would extend the life, especially in a hot environment, is there a different angle?
@@jawharris Yeah earlier versions 24kwh,30kwah and 40kwah but 60kwah might be big enough to survive.Even 24kwah people have 50k miles on the original battery suppose 60kwh will get there with 3.0times less cycles of charges then it should also last atleast 3 times longer.
@@ceylontea5877 Sarcasm, I understand. I was thinking maybe cooling systems were leaking in the long run. I live in the NW, so I'm hoping my 40kwh will hold up, it was a great price, 18k for a 40kwh, -2k sales tax credit and 4k tax credit, so effectively 12k.
@@jawharris liquid cooling great for cross country trips and real fast charging but pumps hoses I dont like and liquid running inside the battery.
@@jawharris Just stay away from fast chargers if you can. Keep the battery between 80% and 20% if you can. Lots of good strategies on the Leaf forums. We have several at work and they have been great cars. I'm in the process of deciding if we want another car payment (been about 8 years since the last one). If so, we'll likely buy a low mileage used Leaf.
I like the shifter. It's like the shifter in older Toyota hybrids. :)
Im actually am coming around to liking the shifter for the sole reason that when i get to my destination i just turn off the car and it puts itself in park.
An engineers review, Why would have heavy, low capacity batteries when you could use free air to react with hydrogen to give you a practical car
Low capacity? I have 200 miles of range but only use like 50 per day. Not sure what hydogen has to do with this.... going to hydrogen fuel cells seems like a step back to bejng less convenient.
@ You’re moving a very heavy battery, with a much higher capacity than you need, rather than a much lighter hydrogen fuel cell and fuel storage which you can fill to your chosen level
@@daniellatz8931 A) not sure that i have seen any hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on the market in the midwest
b) No place to get hydrogen gas, even so that would be just as inconvenient as petrol, and appears to be cost comparable to electric
c) what does the mass of the vehicle matter?
I love my Leaf’s - Nissan EV Connect (aka Telematics / CarWings) has too much down time, it is definitely not Five Nines (99.999%) of up time
Also nissan kill the useless 40kwh battery keep the 62kwh.
Mine is 40Kwh, I want a 62kwh so bad
The fools at nissan would add thermal management, ccs and nacs ports and larger onboard charger, they would own the ev market. And keep it under 30k.
I just bought a CCS to Chademo adapter. I had a Chademo to Tesla adaptor with the Tesla I owned. The Leaf has better build quality quieter interior nicer ride and no annoying glass roof and I have no idea who the CEO of Nissan is :) unlike Tesla.
@@MHdollrevievs
Hi there! Will you please send me the links to the two adapters you have? I have a 2020 Leaf SL Plus & really like it!
Thanks!
@@timbrown9123 The Company that I bought mine from is called A2Z EV
New law requires EVs to make needless continuous noise.
If bro got the S ik for a fact he wouldnt be praising the leaf as much as he is for the svplus.
bredda you are too much
You sure you’re ready for an EV?🤣🤣
If you cant change a tire, are you ready for a car?
@@floki_raven3829 lol not at all! Most people aren’t car people of any type. They just drive them.
Your are overly picky
Realy.... You are an engineer...? 🤦
i want it