Used 2013 Nissan LEAF Hatchback Consumer Reviews
Used LEAF for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
An unexpected bargain
Steve H, 11/24/2015
2013 Nissan LEAF SV 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
199 of 201 people found this review helpful
I have to tell you how happy I am with this Nissan Leaf. It's a quiet, comfortable, very affordable "mid-sized-category" little car. It feels spacious and the electric motor is plenty nimble. The super low rolling resistance tires are a limitation, so if you want a car that feels more "sporty" in cornering and handling you'd swap those out, at some cost to range. Which brings us to range. My experience for the way I drive, is that I average roughly around 4 miles/kwh and I can reliably count on being able to drive 70 miles between charges no matter what, even including any "range destroying" variables such as using climate control, lights, driving between 65mph and 70mph for the "freeway" portion of my commute; and all this is on a car that I bought used - a 2013 lease return that's about 2.5 years old with already about 27,000 miles on it. But if ever there was a car for which the saying is true "your mileage may vary" this has got to be the one. The instruments give you tons of feedback about how to drive efficiently. But it's a simple fact that wind resistance is proportional to velocity cubed and that it takes more energy to accelerate a heavy object quickly. So if you're an unrepentant leadfoot, this is probably not the car for you - look to the Tesla Model S. Now, many folks refill their cars with gasoline at or before the point when there are 70 miles left on the tank. 70 miles is only about a quarter tank's worth. But the electric car is different, you plug it in at your house every night. And that turns out to be far more convenient than stopping into the gas station once a week. Also the new 2016 SV and SL "high end" leaf models have a new 30kwh battery - 25% more electrical storage than the current model's 24kwh. But what'll probably surprise you is how *cheap* it is. I bought this one used for only about 11k. Pretty much no other 2013 used car on the market sells for $11k except a high-mileage econobox. And the leaf's a nicer car - larger, more electronics, heated seats, etc... And the cost to *operate* it once you've got it is a lot lower than any gasoline car. Electricity is 12cents/kwh (on the night time tiered rate - much higher during peak hours!) New ones are cheap too, though. With the end-of-year incentives available I've seen "one at this price" 3 year lease deals for a strip model "S" 2015 leaf for only $109 a month(!) Leasing tends to be the preferred option for new leafs, because the leasing company can claim the government incentives and roll that into the price, whereas if you buy outright, you have to wait until tax-filing time to claim the electric-vehicle-tax-credit. Gasoline's dirt cheap right now at about $2.75 a gallon. But even a fairly efficient car gets only say, 35 mpg. If like me you drive 225 miles a week, that's $18/week. The leaf uses 56 kwh to go the same distance - about $6.75 worth of electricity. To convert apples to apples, there are 33kwh of energy in one gallon of gasoline. So a car that gets 35mpg gets about 1mi/kwh. Or, an electric car that gets 4mi/kwh basically gets 132 mi/gallon energy equivalent. I didn't switch from a 35mpg car though. I switched from commuting in a 16mpg 4x4 truck. All that said, for most folks a leaf is still NOT practical as the ONLY car in a household. Sometimes you need or want to take longer trips. Anne and I drove up to see friends in Concord yesterday, a 130 mile round trip. Naturally we took the gas powered car. And you need to live in a house where you can install an electric vehicle charger. But if you've got a "two car" household where one car can do pure commute duty, especially if it's a pretty long commute, a Leaf could pay off well for you. If you buy used, you want to be aware of how to read the battery's residual capacity (different than state-of-charge) off the instrument panel, and discount the price for reduced capacity. Nissan improved the battery durability (ability to hold a charge) in 2013, and again in 2014. To my mind, the 2011 and 2012 models aren't discounted heavily enough yet to reflect this difference, so I'd probably focus on finding a 2013 model. Finally, if you live in a hot climate like Arizona, you should probably get a 2015 or newer - as that's when Nissan adopted their newer "Lizard" battery design that's more heat resistant. Conversely, if you live in a colder climate, you should probably get an SV or SL model, since those have a heat pump heater rather than a current drawing resistive heat unit.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Best Second Car Ever
carlsbad2, 08/15/2013
2013 Nissan LEAF SV 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
31 of 31 people found this review helpful
We were tired of paying $ 80 per tank to run around town getting 16 MPG running errands etc. This Leaf is fun to drive and has lots of room I am 6.4 and do not fit with comfort in many cars but the headroom in this is great. After 2.5 months of ownership very happy get 90 mile range on a full charge. Able to charge for free at many Nissan dealers . Fast charger at dealers will get you a full charge in 40 minutes. Electric bill has gone up about $ 50 per month charging up almost every night. I did not purchase the level 2 charger as I can charge overnight in about 12 hours with the 6.6 KW on board charger. Our utility company gives better rates for EV owners if you use off peak power
Getting used to Value!
john5501, 05/20/2014
2013 Nissan LEAF SL 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
47 of 48 people found this review helpful
I have owned my Leaf for about 3 yrs now and I still marvel at all the gas, oil, and maintenance dollars I have saved over the years. I also own a Highlander hybrid and it's amazing how much just routine maintenance costs each year. The LEAF still looks new and has not had the first problem. Of course, it would be nice if the range was over 70 miles, but as a 2nd car that is really all I need. From a value standpoint this is one of my best buys. My wife and granddaughters all fit fine in the front and back and it's a great car about town. I charge the Leaf about 95% in my garage and my electric bill is still in the same range as it always was - you would never know I charge a car daily.
Falling for the Leaf
David G, 06/20/2016
2013 Nissan LEAF SV 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
42 of 43 people found this review helpful
Before I purchased my used Leaf I spent months handwringing over range, battery life, and resale value. I should not have wasted any of that time worry and should have purchased this long ago. The Leaf rocks! Once you drive an electric car for a few days, it is hard to go back to the noise, pollution, and rumble of an internal combustion engine. The Leaf has required very little change from our normal driving habits in order to have a nearly pollution and carbon free vehicle (our electricity is wind- and solar-generated). We typically charge the Leaf at night every two or three days so charging issue is not the inconvenience that I was anticipating. We have used just a 110-120 volt outlet and real charge times are usually way less than forecasted because we seldom charge from empty to 100 percent (more typically we are going from something like 30 percent up to 80 percent). One great feature with the 2013 Leaf is the long-life setting for charging--it shuts down the charge at 80 percent to preserve battery life. Using that 80 percent cap, our real world range typically runs between 55 to 80 miles (again, that is at 80 percent battery). The reason for the range has to do with temperature and destination, for example. The coldest part of winter will reduce your range and battery power noticeably (just like your cell phone when it is really cold). During the height of summer, battery life also diminishes some, as a result of the heat and AC use (at least, that is my understanding). We drive ours in Salt Lake City to give you and idea of temperature fluctuations. Also, you can expect changes in range based on whether you are driving at highway speeds, up mountain canyons, or in the rain. With just a little bit of experience, it becomes fairly easy to anticipate these fluctuations on the Leaf. I highly recommend this vehicle for those that understand the range limitations. Nissan has used great materials and put together an excellent car.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Much improved, But
2john, 03/13/2013
2013 Nissan LEAF SL 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
42 of 44 people found this review helpful
A lovely new advancement in the 2013. The 6.6 charger really make a big difference, I can charge my mostly empty car in 3hours. I love SL sylings, leather, Bose sound system, and intelligent door locks. A great ride. But little, if any, improvements in range a real disappointment..Edmonds needs to test the 2013 range... And I volunteer my new leaf for the test. JohnL
2013 LEAF
eaa, 06/26/2013
updated 12/27/2019
2013 Nissan LEAF SV 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
30 of 31 people found this review helpful
NOTE 2018 - Even after 10 years Nissan batteries now made by LG does not have liquid cooling and fail a lot. They wilt and lose capacity 10 times faster than any other Electric. They are ok in cooler areas but NEVER buy one in the Southern USA. We had a 2013 LEAF. we used to have the 2011 for 2 years and many wants have been added to the 2013 like ECO mode stays on, braking mode. Also better estimate of range. The Air Cond is also more efficient. The only BIG problem is the battery degrades in the heat. The 2011 thru 2014 have the same fatal problem. We lose 5-10% capacity a summer. It's lost forever. The warranty is sticky you have to lose 4 bars about 40% with in 60K miles and 5 years. They changed the software so that doesn't work and you lose 3. Yet range is bad and you can't drive. We used to love our LEAF. We lease and every 2 years can't wait to see how they improve it and lower the cost. Our daily commute is 44 miles round trip. It's easy with 50 60 left each trip. I can go about 70 miles on city streets when needed. Just lease so you don't get stuck with a LEAF with a low capacity battery pack. New models get lower pricing so selling your old one would be hard. The new 2018 LEAF will have more range. Near the end of 2018 it may top 200 miles but they haven't added Thermal battery control so I would not buy one. We now have a 2015 KIA SOUL EV that has Air Battery cooling. It is also failing. Only vehicles with liquid cooling like the Chevy SPARK EV , Bolt, or FORD FOCUS EV and world Leader Tesla model S , X and 3 have long long battery life and no heat problems. We finally got a Tesla model 3 in March 2018. It is amazing with no battery loss in over a year. EVen in the Phoenix heat. The range is about 350 miles on a charge or more if we just do city driving instead of Highways most of the time. PS Nissan still hasn't fix the fatal flaw in their LEAF. Never buy one in the Southwest USA. or any HOT climate.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
We love it so far...
mojobrown, 01/21/2015
updated 01/22/2018
2013 Nissan LEAF S 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
15 of 15 people found this review helpful
**UPDATE - January 2018** What can I say, other than I've never had a vehicle that I've loved as much as my Nissan Leaf. We're just over 56,000 miles at this point and still have no decrease in the original battery. The car loses a significant amount of range in the cold months when it's necessary to run the defrost. Personally, I could hold out a little longer from turning the heat on, but the windows will fog up. Therefore, you have to run defrost and that taxes the battery. In the winter months, I'm lucky to get 65 miles on a full charge, again, because I have to run defrost. However, the car actually performs great on slick roads because of the regenerative breaking. In eco mode, you simply release your foot from the fuel, and the vehicle slows down on it's own. It greatly reduces your chances of sliding when you don't have apply the break. And by allowing the vehicle to slow itself down, you recharge the battery and extend your range. The car is still reliable. It's still fun to drive. The maintenance costs are minimal (rotate the tires) and refill your own washer fluid. As we've become more comfortable with the battery, we've made it back home with only dashes on the battery charge remaining and the # of miles remaining. It's a little unsettling when you use all of the juice when driving, but we've never been stranded and the car has performed beautifully. **ORIGINAL REVIEW** I'm writing this in January 2015. We bought our 2013 Leaf at the end of May 2014. We overcame the anxiety of buying an all electric car with the comfort that we got a great deal. 7.5 months after buying, we're closing in on 10,000 miles and everything has been fantastic. The car is fun to drive. It's reliable. It's attractive. My kids love the heated back seats. We have a normal mini-van as our second vehicle and we drive it less and less frequently. The Leaf has always provided enough range to go where we want. On only two occasion did we decide NOT to take the Leaf and it's only because we didn't want to pay to charge while we were in downtown Indianapolis. It's a great car.
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Safe bet for a used car
Ray Murray, 11/14/2015
updated 05/31/2018
2013 Nissan LEAF SV 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
21 of 22 people found this review helpful
This continues to be an excellent car. I still favor it for everyday driving. I now live in a single location in Maryland. I have my own charging station. Yesterday I charged the car from 35% to 98% in two hours of non-peak time on the BGE Electric Vehicle Schedule. That cost about $1.60 for 55 miles of driving. I've found this car easier to live with having a Level II charger at home. Previously I was charging it at my condo overnight using the 110V charger. I purchased this car used to see for myself what living with an electric car is really like. I kept my older cars just in car just in case I found it too difficult to deal with the electric car at times. This car has substantially exceeded my expectations as a car I can live with. It has become my favorite car to drive. I live in two locations in the Washington D.C area on the Beltway. I was expecting to only use this car at one location for local driving. Instead, I find that I can also go between the locations on weekends without range anxiety. This car works very well in the DC area, now the worst commuter area in the nation. When in nasty traffic jams on the DC beltway, the BW parkway, and other major roads this car doesn't get grossly worse energy economy as is the case with my other cars (one a hybrid). In some cases the economy even improves in when you get into a major traffic slowdown. In the DC area that means 99% of the time. I find that a used purchase of a Leaf is a safe bet. I purchased a certified used one with 0% financing for extra security. From what I see now, I think that a non-certified one could have been a good buy too. I got the advantage of someone else claiming the $7500 tax credit, which made my cost lower since people buying new ones have that incentive. I noticed that people buying new 2015 or 2016 models can get very good purchase, financing, and lease deals too. I figured out that that some people won't get the full 7500 incentive since they don't pay 7500 in federal taxes anyway. If they purchase used, or even lease a new one, they effectively get the advantage of that credit. As far as living with the car goes, you learn to "plan" your driving a bit more, to make sure it has adequate charge. For me it is nice my older cars in reserve. I have not purchased a charging station yet, so I depend on my trickle charger and public charging stations. I end up going to businesses (restaurants, malls, grocery stores, etc) having charging stations. Whatever I've saved in gasoline cost in the last month I've ended up spending that (and more) at those businesses. In some cases such charging stations are a mile or two from where I need to be. That has help pushed me to get some more much-needed and pleasant exercise by doing some more walking. As I walk along roads I wish a lot more more people had electric cars so I wouldn't have to hear as much noise, or breath as much exhaust. I do not find that there are yet enough charging stations in the overall DC metro area area. They tend to be common in some areas and very absent in other areas. The campus where my suburban Maryland employer center is doesn't seem to want to make them available. I like the free ones at some businesses, but realistically I'd like some more paid stations that price the power roughly around the cost I pay at home, plus some extra cost for occupying the space beyond a reasonable charging time. It is nice that Walgreens has stations, and I'd like to see them at all of their locations, however, their cost of $2.00 per hour makes it more expensive to power a Leaf than powering my Honda Civic Hybrid at current gasoline prices. I found that living with the hybrid for 9 years, learning how to leverage the regenerative braking, has helped me transition to living with the Leaf. Buying a Leaf used is a safe bet. You can learn to live with it's range quite well. 5/22/2015. I've had this car 7.5 months now and have put 6000 miles on it. I use it much more than my other cars. I have to make a point of driving them periodically to make sure they don't sit too long. I am ready to get rid of one of them. I have come to appreciate the quietness of the car, and it's decent sound system. I've averaged 4.6 miles/kilowatt in nasty DC/Baltimore area traffic, which comes out to about 115 mpg, although I am paying BGE and Virginia power the equivalent of about $4.00/gallon. I still rely on 110V charging overnight for most of my charging, though I'd like to have a 240V charging station. I have found some free charging stations, that I end up using about 25% of the time. The whole charging station situation is not ready for prime time yet. I did find that charging stations are easier to find in the city of Washington D.C. than gas stations. Overall I continue to be very pleased with this used Leaf. A used one is a safe bet. Traded.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Going EV - Sooner the better!!
blue_dog, 04/07/2014
2013 Nissan LEAF SL 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
I sat on it for 6 months before i pulled the trigger. My daily commute is 40 to 60 miles (one way) and I spend $600.00 a month on gas. model:SL with 360 all around view with Bose sound system I stopped by my health club (before or after work) to charge my car while I work out. Travel takes more planning than driving ICE vehicles but eventually becomes systemic. at times when I get low on battery capacity, i just move over to slower lane. i watch power meter like a hawk and rarely go over the 4th circle.
Loving it! It handles like a sports car.
luand, 12/06/2013
2013 Nissan LEAF S 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
I absolute love driving the 2013 Nissan Leaf S model that we have leased. It reminds me of the driving dynamics of the Mini Cooper that we used to own. The biggest problem is that I tend to drive about 15 miles above the speed limit with the Leaf because it's so quiet and smooth. One thing that I'd wish for is better/smoother braking when regenerative braking is being applied. Another is better location of some of the control buttons on the left side of the steering wheel. The majority of these buttons are not illuminated and are hidden by the steering wheel.
Test drive it and you will be sold!
atlpsychdoc, 11/28/2013
2013 Nissan LEAF SL 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
25 of 28 people found this review helpful
Had my 2013 for about 3 months now. I cannot imagine EVER driving an ICE car again. Now, gas powered cars feel crude, rough and loud. The Leaf is smooth and quiet. I feel like I'm driving on air. I love the fact that I am helping to decrease our dependence on foreign oil and that I am not contributing emissions to the environment. (This car was second choice to my unaffordable fantasy car, a TESLA , but I truly couldn't be happier.) Acceleration is not exactly going to wow you when getting up to highway speeds, but it's certainly enough to feel safe merging into highway traffic. I expected an electric car would be VERY sluggish and was pleasantly surprised from the test drive on!
100 percent satisfied
sampsr, 09/02/2013
2013 Nissan LEAF SL 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
We leased the 2013 SL in June and completely satisfied with the car at this point. They did a great job making it as much like driving a conventional car, which my wife likes. We spent ab out a year thinking about how it would fit our lifestyle and could not think of a single instance were we would be "stuck" without a gasoline motor. I charges quickly with the 240 volt charger. The dashboard technology is great and easy to interpret.
3 year old Nissan Leafs are a bargain
Vermont Electric, 11/12/2016
2013 Nissan LEAF SV 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
For about 30% of the cost when new I obtained a 3 year old Nissan Leaf SV. The big fear driving down the price is the lifetime of the batteries. But the 2013 and newer have improved batteries and I can't see any degradation. When 100% charged it tells me it can go 85 miles. The 6.6 kw embedded charger allows me to charge it from 10% to 80% (long life charging) in under two hours
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
We love this car!
Kevin Courcey, 09/15/2016
updated 03/15/2017
2013 Nissan LEAF SL 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
16 of 18 people found this review helpful
Most dealers will tell you this is a great 2nd car for around town driving. But this has been our only car, and we've taken it on trips numerous times. You just need to plan your route more carefully than with a gas car. I suppose it helps that we are retired and under few time constraints. But we do love this car. The acceleration is fast... surprisingly so. The car is incredibly comfortable to drive, even on long distances. My wife loves the heated seats and steering wheel, I like the Bose sound system with XM and the ability to plug in a USB drive and play music off that. Maintenance is minimal, and it's a very safe car. UPDATE 3-15-17 We've traded in the LEAF for a Volt. This occurred after coming home from the beach and finding that the chargers we usually use were out of service. We ended up running out of charge on Rt 26 outside Portland and had to call a tow truck. The problem isn't with the car. The LEAF is a great car. However, the charging infrastructure is not reliable at this point, and with the current administration so aggressively oil friendly, is likely to degrade further. The Volt allows us to use EV for all our around town driving, while not having to worry about going on day trips and not being able to charge. After owning the Volt for 6 months, we are averaging over 170 MPG.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great car. Driving the future.
dm3, 06/16/2013
2013 Nissan LEAF SV 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Comfortable, roomy all electric car. Amazing not using any gas. Haven't used our other cars since we leased it. Overall pleasant car. Roomy, good visibility, handles pretty well, well built, generally well thought out. Compared to Volt, better visibility, seats 5' much better electric range, quick charge option to charge in 30 minutes. Good lease deals available. Factor in gas savings and the car is practically free.
Excellent Commute Car - But Not for Everyone
A Used Leaf Owner, 10/21/2016
2013 Nissan LEAF SL 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Great deals for a used Leaf these days. You'll need to consider your driving range. For this car, range is limited. I'm getting about 75-80 mile max range depending on the day, though I'm too chicken to ever push it to the max. If you have a second car for longer distance travel, this serves as a great commute car. I live in Southern California and charging has never been an issue. Assuming a 50-miles daily commute, you'll need to charge 50 miles on a daily basis since you won't deplete the charge fully. This can easily be done overnight at home even with a regular 110V outlet. The car has very little moving parts (no gas engine, no oil, no transmission, no fuel tank, no oil filter, no muffler, no belts). It's basically battery, electric motor, and wheels connected to motor, which makes maintenance very easy. And because of less moving parts, reliability for a used EV, in my opinion, would generally be better than an equivalent gas vehicle. All else equal, I would choose a Leaf over other used gas vehicle provided the range is within your tolerance.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
We fight over who gets to drive it
Mr. Light, 06/14/2017
updated 06/15/2018
2013 Nissan LEAF S 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I purchased a used 2013 Leaf (lease return) with 30k miles for $6400. What other car can you do that with? It's like a brand new car, very tight and quiet with no rattles or annoying noises. At the time it had full bars but we lost one around 35k miles. We had been a one car family (2007 Lexus RX350) for a number of years until our kids started getting into a lot of after school activities and we found ourselves needing a second car.......but still only once in a while. I was originally looking at the Fiat 500e because the lease deals are ridiculously cheap but the car is a shoebox. The Leafs are similarly priced but a lot more car for the money. Then I saw what they were going for used and decided to pull the trigger. I waited until a good deal showed up, talked the gentleman down a little more and drove off with a 2.5 year old car for a little more than $6k. My wife is very particular and will nitpick about the smallest details. I assumed this would be my car and I'd use it those 4-5 times a month that we need a second car. Go figure........my wife LOVES the car! I mean, I do too but I'll drive just about anything and be happy. We've only had it 3 months and we're hooked. I don't know that I'll ever buy another gas car. We've only put gas in the Lexus a few times as it really only gets used for longer trips now, sitting unused for weeks on end. I was a little hesitant to buy this car because the car reviewers typically give it average ratings. I'm not sure what it takes to make them happy because I've owned just about every car under the sun, including some very nice ones and this is my favorite. We live in a warm part of southern california so I'm a little apprehensive about what the heat is going to do to the battery but the way I see it is: even if the battery completely dies in a few years, I'm still ahead of the game because it costs almost nothing to drive. Our electricity bill has gone up about $30 a month which is a quarter of what we were paying in gas and aside from tires there's literally no maintenance. When this thing dies we'll be moving onto either a Bolt or Tesla Model 3 as the range is the only complaint I have of this car. Update 6/14/18 Still love the car but we no longer fight over it because I bought myself a 2015 Volt. For as much as I love the Leaf, I love the volt even more and it's a much more practical car as it gets rid of anxiety range. It's also a LOT more comfortable, I've done 300+ mile trips with no aches or pains. It was more expensive but it's in a different class of car, much more refined. Although my wife still prefers the Leaf because there cabin feels more spacious. We don't fight over the Leaf anymore :)
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Makes me enjoy driving!
twoolz, 06/07/2014
updated 12/08/2016
2013 Nissan LEAF SV 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
This is the best car I've ever owned. Front seats are very comfortable. It is whisper quiet even at high speeds, has adequate storage area, seats 4 comfortably. We decided to lease the 2014 because technology is changing and - like a laptop - it could be hard to resell a few years from now. We got the $7500 rebate, a great trade-in on the 2006 Prius and the payments are incredibly low - $183 a month. The quick charger works great and recharges the car in a few hours and the city paid for half of the cost! It's a no-brainer: it's the perfect second car for running errands around town and 90 miles will cover a lot of errands! Love it!! After 2 1/2 years, I still love this car. It is perfect for around town driving. I will look at leasing a Nissan Leaf agin in April when this lease is up OR take a look at the Chevy Bolt which is also getting great press.
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
Like riding on a silent magic carpet
chuck allen, 09/13/2016
updated 09/13/2018
2013 Nissan LEAF S 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
The Leaf is a terrific nearly silent comfortable pleasure to drive. Over 45 years I've owned a lot of different models and brands and the Leaf is hands down the least expensive to operate. There is virtually no routine maintenance beyond tire rotations. No oil changes. No worry about changing spark plugs or exhaust parts. No engine noise. Driving carefully I could go half again as far as the rated 82 miles to over 125 miles before needing a charge. The downside side is trips beyond 80 miles requires careful planning. Charge points are expanding in availability. Update after nearly two years of ownership: I still love the Leaf. The nearly silent ride allows me to relax and listen to music as if I'm at home even though I'm driving down the highway in traffic. Maintenance costs are minimal. There are no oil changes. There is no internal combustion engine, exhaust, radiator to check and service. There is no transmission to go wrong. There is simply the pleasure of a quiet ride. Update after three years of ownership: I still love the Leaf. It hasn't cost me a penny in repairs. Maintenance is pretty much remembering to rotate the tires. It is still a quiet ride. No squeaks or rattles. No signs of wear on the interior. Everything works as it should. If you have hesitated to purchase an electric car, now is the time. As gasoline prices have risen my cost per mile driven has remained far below fossil fuel vehicles.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great Commuter Car
mr_kq, 05/15/2013
2013 Nissan LEAF SL 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
As long as you use this car within its range limitations it is wonderful. I am getting the EPA rated range without trouble (about 85 miles with 100% charge and 65 miles with 80% charge which is recommended to maximize battery life).
License to Thrill
nashleaf, 08/10/2013
2013 Nissan LEAF SL 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I bought my Leaf in the shadow of Nissan's North American HQ - at the Franklin,TN Nissan Dealer. Well just down the street from this dealer (who did a good job) is the Nissan HQ, which has a quick charger (20min). I live pretty close to that charger, so this purchase is a no-brainer for me. I don't have to worry about range ever while I'm driving my normal route. As a result, the people who I pass get to see this Leaf go flying by at whatever speed. Its a quick, fun car, so it's a shame everyone doesn't live this close to a quick, free drink. I only ask that there is an Infiniti version soon that looks a little more sophisticated.
2013 SV Leaf Review
leaf_owner, 05/04/2013
2013 Nissan LEAF SV 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
My commute consists of 5 days a week 33 miles each way on mostly highway (55-60mph) with limited city traffic. I can drive back and forth to work on 1 charge with no problems of range as I pull in my home with about 30 miles of range. You must get a home charger as the trickle charge (regular 110 outlet takes to long to charge). I installed for $1800 the AV Charger which is a 220 volt/30amp charger which charges the car from empt to full in 3-3.5hrs or about 26 miles per hour of charge. The information above is based on driving in April and May in Central NJ. I have not driven the Leaf in the colder temperatures but I will post a follow up this winter.
2013 Nissan Leaf SV
Keith W, 01/16/2017
2013 Nissan LEAF SV 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Purchased used in 2017. Car has 36K miles but still has full bars or 84 miles fully charged. My commute is 55 miles daily which fits into Leaf's range well. Using Eco mode I usually return with >25 miles left. My commute is through two lane highway at speed limit of 50, which also fits Leaf well. Worst part of the commute is a big uphill about two miles, after which my range will be reduced by 10 miles, then the downhill will recover about 5 miles through regen. In NoCal heater is rarely needed that also helps my decision to buy Leaf. This car has adequate acceleration and good ride, I like the seats (firmer as I need). I'm happy driving past gas stations. Charging hasn't been problem and the trickle charger works just fine during night time. Overall very satisfied.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
I am amazed
Nena Smith, 04/11/2015
2013 Nissan LEAF SL 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
10 of 12 people found this review helpful
I was surprised by how much I love this car. I was a bit worried by range but my husband thought since we would save $200-$250.00 in gas a month it was worth a try. Glad He talked me into it. Super fun to drive, great comfort/room and wonderful technology. In 2 weeks I have driven my 2013 Leaf (purchase with 22,400 miles) over 700 miles with no problems. I live in a very rural area but can find plenty of charging stations within 20-30 miles if I need them. IF you live in the city don't even worry about range average driver in USA only goes 22 miles per day. Think about this not only are you not spending on gas but no more taking the car in for oil changes ect. Love my Leaf!
Great at First, But You'll Be Sorry in the End
J., 02/18/2019
updated 09/03/2021
2013 Nissan LEAF SL 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
15 of 19 people found this review helpful
Update Sept. 2021. I have 4 bars on my battery for a whopping 25 mile range at 43,000 miles. Show me any other modern car that can only go 25 miles at 43,000 miles. Car is worth $6,000. A new battery pack is $9,825. I have a very shiny brick sitting in my garage. I contact Consumer Affairs and they refused to do anything despite that fact that every Nissan person I talked to was shocked at how bad my battery is. Nissan doesn't stand behind their cars. Purchase at your own risk. Battery degradation is horrible and will leave you financially upside-down on this car. A used LEAF is cheap to pick up used because the market knows that the battery will have to be replaced sooner than later and the cost to replace it is more than the value of the vehicle. Consider as of writing this (Feb 2019) there are many used options around $9,000-$10,000. Battery replacement is $8500. In addition, there is no after-market for batteries or battery rebuild service. It's a fun car to drive you just won't be able to go very far. My car has 36k miles on it but my range is on 45 miles and dropping. Would you be willing to put up with this kind of degradation from any other car? You shouldn't. Do NOT buy.
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Updated 4/5/24: Just droppped to 9 of 12 bars
Brewleaf, 03/27/2020
updated 04/05/2024
2013 Nissan LEAF SL 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
I purchased my used 2013 Leaf in February 2017 at a Carmax after testing about 3 EV's and doing a lot of research and homework. The EV Blogs are great as you hear directly from the consumer and not a propaganda machine out there. Very informative. Plenty of Youtube tales as well which can be fun. Loads of good content about the experience, including upsides and downsides. Update 4/4/24: So each Leaf cell/bar equates to 7 miles of distance. My car is now limited to 63 miles which is still plenty in my area. Four charging stations were just installed at work so the 30 miles each way is still easily doable. My mechanic went into business for himself a few years back and opened a second garage due to demand. He hired mechanics certified to work on EVs which is great for the business. I am going to inquire if they could either replace individual battery cells or the entire battery. The car is in great shape, as is the motor, if I can get the work done for somewhere around $5k then it is a no brainer as I cannot get into another EV for that anywhere near that price. I live near and work in affluent neighborhoods so every 5th car on the road is an EV. I see young and old driving them, every race, and I still have new EV drivers come up and ask questions as they like some reassurances they made a good move. When I tell folks my 11year old Leaf has nearly 80k miles and 75% of original battery life most are reassured considering they all drive NextGen cars that go much farther and I think most people are accustomed to replacing their ICE vehicles more frequently depending on commutes--though with remote work it allows for some prolonged life for vehicles. There are upsides and downsides to EV ownership and driving. Some upsides--zippy to drive, quiet, eco-friendly, no gas/no oil/no emissions, heated steering wheel & seats (front & back), A/C and Heat are quick to get to optimal temperatures, and inexpensive to own/charge (note electricity prices went from 7 to 11 cents per kwh so costs around 50% more per charge but many places have free or inexpensive charging (ie. work, some local shops & eateries, golf course). The downsides of the used Leaf: Tires--you go through tires faster, and in Cold months you get 50-60% distance. So on coldest days this winter I would get 35-50 miles per full charge. Back in warmer weather the battery meter on the dash still wants to suggest I can get 70 miles per charge but it is closer to low 60s. There are apps for your phone that help you find nearby available chargers, and you can subscribe (like with EZ Pass) for those most convenient experience for your daily charging needs. Once you get a sense of how far things are from one charge point to another it will be less stressful and car insurance comes with towing so worst case (like running out of charge) you csn get it towed to a charging station (or home if you are close enough). If I were in my 20s-30s and living in an Urban area, this car would be perfect, would just need to find some regular charging spaces, unless renting a house with an outdoor outlet for the Level 1 charger. I am seeing more and more EV's (every kind) and it is great to see so many older model Leaf EVs out there. Also new ordinances in my area require new multifamily structures to have one EV charger for every 25 occupants. The 2013 Leaf may be like the Model T of EV's, but it keeps chugging along and as long as it can make the trip I will keep driving it. I bought this car with 31K miles on it and in the 7 years I've had it I've put nearly 50k miles on it (was working remote for much of 2019-2022 which explains less than 8K a year mileage). I know it may seem like a scary proposition (new things and change create doubt and fear--but think about other new things and changes in your life, some did make life better/easier and EV's will do just that . . . the newer cars are making it even easier to charge, providing greater distance, and if you are a shrewd shopper and dealmaker (hint: get preapproved for the price you want to pay for the car and then show up at the dealership with check in hand and explain that is all you were approved for (little white lie maybe but dealers aren't known for their honestly either---fight fire with fire) ---they want to get cars off the lot and people walking away and down the street to another dealer isn't good for business). Don't forget in most parking garages the primo parking spaces are reserved for EVs. There are also a number of financial incentives worth looking into (between rebates/tax credits for buying a new EV and rebates/reimbursement for 50% of cost of installation of a Level 2 charger at your home). You may or may not have strong feelings one way or the other about the environment, but it is the only planet our children and theirs will get to live on, we need to find common ground with one another and preserving our planet for future generations seems like a worthy cause that anyone and everyone can and should get behind. This isn't THE solution, it is part of a larger conversation and solution. Just as PIE isn't the full meal . . . (unless you are a dessert only person, in which case, respect). Alright, off the pulpit. Just remember doing good, feels good, and feeling good is better than feeling bad. Original content: There are other reasons to buy one---with projected growth in the EV market, there is no better time to own one---the ratio of charging stations to EV cars on the road will never be better than it is right now. The Leaf is optimal when going out to shop (easier to park), and has plenty of space (hatchback for family of 5 worth of groceries), and working from home--would be surprised how many trips to store one charge gets you, even if only charging to 80% capacity. If you are in the market for a 2nd car for the family and have a reasonable commute, or new drivers, or in a suburb/urban area, it's worth checking out---one thing don't expect salespeople at dealerships to know much about them---do your own research, test drive as many as they have---check for EV Level 1 charger (standard in cars), Get them to charge to 100% and take a substantial test drive, running heat or AC, and see how comfortable you are with the mileage. I think most people will enjoy the ride itself, it's a commuter car, and I've had several commuter cars--this is the best. When idling in traffic you basically use no energy unless running heat or A/C. No exhaust fumes, no gas smells, no engine smells (from oil or other fluids). And no state emissions tests. Best of luck with car buying decision.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
My nissian. Leaf.
Kevin, 08/18/2018
updated 03/08/2021
2013 Nissan LEAF S 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
14 of 18 people found this review helpful
My. Nissian leaf. EV. SUCKS. my battery has less than 8. Out of 12 bars. Capacity. Left. And this vehicle has no range at all maybe 20 miles. So now. Itc just sits parked while I make payments on it. For the nex 2 years. Big mistake. Buying this vehicle This will never happen Again Told nissian about this situation no help ---- oh by the way. This vehicle only has. 40 ,000. Miles on it... Since I have got rid of this burden lost several thousands of dollars glad to be rid of it ..( worst mistake ) ever ! Don't buy a electric car with a bad battery .... Don't buy a nissian ... Bad company.... Update 9/2019 this vehicle was voluntary surrendered ... The finance company wants me to donate $900 more for this vehicle I couldn't drive .. Nissan will ( never ) have anymore of my business ... BAD COMPANY...!!!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
DC fast charger not needed, but 6.6KW is a must!
frugaldave1298, 05/28/2013
2013 Nissan LEAF S 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
11 of 15 people found this review helpful
Had the car for 1300 miles and 1 month. Great car. Purchased after I got tired of waiting for the new Smart ED which had repeated delays. We got the base S model with the $1300 DC Fast Charge option. SL, SV models come with the 6.6KW onboard charger that charges your car at about 30% per hour. The old 3.3KW charger (still standard on the S) gives you about half that charging rate meaning you'll be forced to wait longer when charging out in town. This is a huge deal! The fast charge option adds the high speed DC charge 30 mins 0-80% and upgrades the 3.3kw to the 6.6kw onboard. That is a big deal! In hindsight, prob should have just gotten the mid-grade Leaf with the 6.6w charger.
Owning Leaf - The one flaw you need to know
Blecken, 07/25/2018
2013 Nissan LEAF SV 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
The one BIG problem with owning a leaf is that there is no thermal battery management. This means that the battery capacity degrades significantly over time. After 5 years and 33k on the odo my battery is down to 75-80% of its original capacity, which already was with 84 miles not very much. The nissan dealer says this is 'normal'. In effect this means that i won't be able to keep the car 10 years, because i need 40-50 miles radius during a work day. If you lease the car this does not really apply, since the you can get rid off the car after your lease term ends (and you should). There are some rumors that a leaf with a new battery is in the works for 2019, but anything before it better keep your hands off (owning). Other than this BIG drawback, the car is ok. While it is nothing fancy to look at and has a somehow cheap interior it handles and drives actually quite well and does serves it current purpose well.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Value
The best valued car on the market
Gus Lapins, 11/06/2018
2013 Nissan LEAF SV 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I got tired of paying $250 a month for gas and just about $1000/month for maintenance and repairs on my gas vehicle and bought a used 2013 Leaf S. My one-way commute is just about 40 miles, I have charging stations at work. Vehicle was awesome (I still miss it), but I missed cruise control and the heating was inefficient. Anyway, local dealer had a great deal on a 2018 Leaf SV and I really needed a tax credit. It's the best vehicle I have owned in my lifetime. I smoke gas cars from the lights, it's maneuverable, it has an intelligent cruise (holds lane, distance to the car in front and speed), it saved itself when somebody cut in front of me and braked hard - vehicle stopped itself before I was able to react. Touchscreen is a bit overloaded, but I got used to it. It's more comfortable than my 2014 Explorer and surprisingly has more leg room in front and rear seats. Overall - a great car.
- Safety
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
the second car becomes my first car
seattle_ite, 10/26/2013
2013 Nissan LEAF SV 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
8 of 11 people found this review helpful
I was not convinced about buying the leaf at all. It looked weird and all the popular auto mags did not seem convinced. A friend convinced us to take a second look and we bought it as a second car ... that was four months ago. So far... - The lease + gas is approx the cost of my previous monthly gas bill. I am basically driving a new car for no extra cost. - - I have taken out my gas car about once a month ! I visited my Costco gas station after four months !!! Its comfortable, spacious and very well equipped. I would have preferred to buy the SV with the BOSE + cameras in hindsight. Bottom-line: if you commute < 60 miles / day, buy a leaf - you wont regret it.
Don't lease a LEAF!!!
pangarkar, 02/20/2015
2013 Nissan LEAF SL 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
13 of 19 people found this review helpful
At first when I leased my 2012 Leaf it was the coolest car around. I told all of my friend and before I knew it 6 of my colleagues at work had also leased the Leaf. Man do I wish I'd have waited!!! Now I can't even use the car because of range anxiety. I am getting about 40 miles per full charge for a car that only has about 9000 miles on it. Ridiculous!!! Not even close to the 106 miles on the New car sticker. And yes Range anxiety is REAL- believe me when the meter starts to get near the red mark and you still have about 10 miles to go you get real nervous very fast!! I would NEVER lease another LEAF again.!! Nissan says that this is normal for the car!! Really! 40 miles for a charge!!
Love it so far
hpver, 03/18/2013
2013 Nissan LEAF S 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
31 of 53 people found this review helpful
We almost bought a 2012 but waited and leased a 2013. We opted for the charger and rearview camera package and are glad we did. State (CA) and local air district rebates cut the already low three-year lease cost in half, making this an unbeatable bargain. We haven't driven our ICE car once in the 10 days since we got our Leaf S. This car does everything we need and is comfortable, easy to drive and costs less than 5 cents a mile for fuel. No problem keeping up with traffic, especially if we take it out of Eco mode. It also appears to have more range than the previous models. We only charge to 80% to save battery and can drive almost 70 miles in urban and suburban traffic.
Poor electric car, don't buy any Nissan product.
Gats, 07/26/2016
2013 Nissan LEAF S 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
8 of 13 people found this review helpful
I was excited for my first electric car when I bought it last year. They say 110+ miles in sticker but don't expect more than 90 miles. If you drive highways/winter it would significantly low. The worst part for this car is the customer service and dealership. My from tire worn out in less than 10k, checked wheel alignment and its perfectly aligned but they won't even cover under any warranty, very poor quality stuff. I will certainly recommend buying electric car bit stay away from Nissan.
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Value
Love my new LEAF
TJ, 01/10/2017
2013 Nissan LEAF S 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I'm now in my first days with a red 2013 Nissan LEAF and really happy with it. What are most important to me in a car are practicality and comfort, including drive comfort. The Nissan LEAF excels for me in part because of the spacious design of the interior. Second, the handling and acceleration are snappy and efficient. The only sacrifice I have to make is to budget charging every day or two. On the other hand, my days of planning trips to the gas station are over!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Electrifying experiment
Pete, 11/05/2021
2013 Nissan LEAF S 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Great for everyday average short trips(40 miles) one way. Plug into 110 outlet everynite like one does a cell phone. 5 years of use and never ran out of power. Can experience EV without big cost. Drive into future.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
know what is important to you
jas2012leaf, 05/01/2014
2013 Nissan LEAF SL 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
8 of 14 people found this review helpful
I lease a 2012 Leaf. It comes with no spare tire, a real drag. It is not a winter car for those who have trouble driving in snow. It needs winter tires for the front, and I don't know how much that will help. Using heat,wipers,defrost, and driving in snow lessens the range by 30%. I commute 26 miles uphill <1000 ft and I've used 80% of the power to do it in winter on bad days. I use a 120volt space heater to warm the car first. Better range (126 mi/charge) 2016. Ad now is misleading . 126/106 isn't the range, but the mpg equivalent- comparing it to a gas car. Don't be fooled. Solar roof is available only overseas,not in usa yet. Decent second car, my 1st, but I'm waiting to 2016 for next..
Everything I wanted in an EV with the right price.
Seth, 03/09/2018
2013 Nissan LEAF S 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Check battery health and charging features. Overall I am very happy with my leaf. My friends and family are really impressed with my EV. This is definitely the future. Never going back to combustion powered drivetrains. The mess, maintenance and pollution was not an option for me.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
DO NOT GET THIS CAR!!! The worst ever!!!!
Alma Caux, 11/03/2015
2013 Nissan LEAF SL 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
16 of 41 people found this review helpful
we were very excited about every single thing about this car. LISTEN! Life changes and if your does, then you will have to deal with the worst nightmare of you buy or lease this car! After 3 years with this car we are lucky if we get 45 miles out of it on a full charge!!!! 45!!! it's horrible!!! if you forget BECAUSE YOU ARE HUMAN!!! to charge it one night, no car the next day! If you move out of state BECAUSE LIFE CHANGES! then you need to get a place with garage to charge it!!! your job must be near your home or it won't happen! 45 miles!!! plan on that! No place for emergencies! or trips! Second car? be real, if for any reason "the first" car fails, plan on 45 miles with one car! DO NOT GET THIS CAR!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great car
sandeep singh, 04/05/2017
2013 Nissan LEAF S 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Absolutely love the leaf ....don't have anything bad to say about it....
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Had 36,000 miles so battery only good for about 72
Rich Schiller, 09/03/2016
2013 Nissan LEAF S 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
2 of 5 people found this review helpful
Low mileage on battery
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Not a cold weather car!!
budreaux1, 01/08/2014
2013 Nissan LEAF SV 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
16 of 55 people found this review helpful
If you live where it rains or snows don't buy this car. The car body designers never drove this car in rain or snow. The spray from the tires creates a truly ugly car within miles. The snow build-up in wheel wells and the 6-12 inches of crud on the running boards is beyond annoying. Try to buy a splash guard post-factory? Not available without a special order and a 4 to 5 week wait. The actual driving range in winter is lowered by several factors: 1. less charge in cold temps (10-12 miles less) 2. if you use the climate control 15 to 20 miles are subtracted from your range estimate. So if you want a car that can go 50 to 60 miles and turn your garage into an ice rink...this is the one.
Used ones offer value
Bill, 05/16/2018
2013 Nissan LEAF SV 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Great commuter or around town if total commute 50 miles or less. Outside of that you’ll experience range anxiety.
- Technology
- Performance
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Nice EV for the value
EV driver, 06/23/2022
2013 Nissan LEAF SL 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
0 of 2 people found this review helpful
The 2013 Nissan Leaf is a great EV
The condition 13 Nissan Leaf
S. Kwie, 07/14/2021
2013 Nissan LEAF SL 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
0 of 3 people found this review helpful
Most 13’ Nissan Leaf I already looked at it has few problems.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value