2024 Nissan Leaf Review
2024 Nissan Leaf
Price as Tested: $28,140
60kWh Battery
160-kW Motor : 215 HP - 250 TQ
Range as observed: 175
— Guy who did stuff: Yousef Alvi —
The Nissan Leaf can be thanked for jump starting the current EV revolution. That first generation proved to be a massive success due to it’s low cost, excellent range (for it’s time) and practicality all rolled into one cheap to own package. Instead of going full bore into ‘futuristic errythang’; the first generation Leaf was just futuristic enough to be different but not enough to be alienating.
“What Nissan created back in 2010 was the perfect recipe for mass EV adoption: Building an affordable and well engineered vehicle. ”
A recipe that could have been refined in the subsequent 14 years to lay the ground for a slew of affordable EVs. What is so great about affordable vehicles you say?
Affordable vehicles are made for the masses, the masses require non sacrificial engineering for it to be a sales success. Why? Because said masses would be cross shopping titans of industry like the Civic, Camry, RAV4 or CRV. Engineering any vehicle to go against those foundational vehicles takes a completely different focus. Instead of focusing on infotainment screen size and touch controls, one would be forced to focus on livability, ease of use and reliability.
Or to put it another way, the average RAV4 buyer is not going to drive around aimlessly trying to find a working charging station. They’re definitely not going to sit there for 3 hours trying to get the damn thing to work. If you want that RAV4 buyer’s money, you damn well better make an EV work just as well as that RAV4 in ALL scenarios.
Alas, it was not meant to be. Instead of chasing those RAV4 buyers, the industry chased the Model S and now Model 3 buyer. So the industry now finds itself in an EV sales plateau. Early adopters have came, went and bought. Now the industry has to start appealing to the masses…like Nissan did back in 2010 with the Leaf.
So after 14 years of development, does this make the 2024 Nissan Leaf best EV on the road today?
Let’s find out:
The Great
Packaging: The 2024 Leaf is, relatively, gigantic on the inside. A huge cargo compartment, plenty of space in the rear and front along with an airy cabin, the 2024 Nissan Leaf is packaged brililnatly.
Performance: Yes, it’s a Leaf BUT this is the Leaf SV Plus! What that gives you is 214 HP and up to 212 range**. The most surprising thing about the 214 power is the highway passing. Most EVs will fall flat on their face after 65 mph. This Leaf SV Plus will blow past people at 65 mph+!! Heck, I went to pass a group of sheeple and was cresting 90 mph before I knew it…and it was still pulling.
Ride: Whoever tuned the Leaf’s suspension should be given an award. It’s supple without being floaty and just downright comfortable! It soaks up imperfections with nary an audible ‘thump’ coming through the cabin. Now, when the road gets twisy…it will grip to surprising levels of amusement.
The Good
Steering: It’s a Leaf. You would assume the steering would be a lifeloss void in your hands. You would be wrong. It’s not Miata levels of feel but it’s there and it’s pleasant. The steering offers plenty of assist, without diliuting roadfeel, to make flinging it about a one finger deal if need be
Brakes: E-Pedal (regen braking mode) is one of the best on the road today. Some regen braking units can have a ‘lurchy’ feeling but the Leaf’s is smooth as butter.
The Bad
Infotainment: The screen is abysmal quality, the UI is ancient and lacks wireless CarPlay.
Tomb like: Ambient lighting of some degree would be fantastic but alas the Leaf lacks it. So at night and with a sunroof, it’s dark and a bit dreary on the inside.
The Ugly
**Range: Our Leaf SV Plus supposedly gets 212 miles on paper. On paper that barely enough but in the real world remove about 25 miles on average. If you happen to use the highway a lot, remove about 35 at least. A 15 mile round trip, at 80 mph, ate up about 15% battery and a hilarious 50 miles of range.
The Overall
The 2024 Leaf is the most affordable EV on the market today. The low price along with its performance and practicality should be a winning combination…but it isn’t. The suboptimal driving range along with the ancient charging capabilities…makes it a hard pill to swallow. Don’t get me wrong. I, hand to heart, really liked driving the 2024 Leaf and if you use it primarily as a city car, you would be golden…but here in Suburbia it doesn’t make a lot of sense. Especially considering the new and gorgeous looking Prius is about a $1000 less…
