2019 Nissan LEAF Review

Name: 2019 Nissan LEAF Review
Brand: Nissan

Price Range: $12,998 - $18,590

Nissan Leaf SL 4dr Hatchback Exterior Shown

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23 cars

$15,525 avg. price

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Appraise My 2019 Nissan LEAF

Nissan LEAF model years

Nissan LEAF for Sale

Edmunds' Expert Review

by Cameron Rogers

Pros

Quick, smooth acceleration
Broad complement of driver assistance features
Offers more range than similarly priced EVs
Quiet driving experience

Cons

Lacks a telescoping steering wheel
Limited small-item storage
The back seats don't fold flat

What's new

New Leaf Plus model with a larger battery pack and more powerful motor
Part of the second Leaf generation introduced for 2018

The first-generation Nissan Leaf's low price, highway-safe top speed and nationwide availability made it the first mass-market electric vehicle. It debuted with 73 miles of range, and over the years Nissan brought out bigger batteries and increased range that allowed the Leaf to keep in step with newer rivals. That is, until the Tesla Model 3 and Chevrolet Bolt launched recently, each boasting more than 200 miles of range on a single charge.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Des Moines, IA

23 listings

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2019 Nissan LEAF
SV PLUS 4dr Hatchback
$15,998
great price
$991 below market
- 26,139 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 215 mi range
- CarMax West Sahara (1,223 mi away)
- Delivery available*
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in Las Vegas, NV
CarMax values transparency and wants you to love your next car, not settle on it. Certain vehicles may have unrepaired safety recalls. Check nhtsa.gov...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: Yes
Features and Specs:
Listing Information:
VIN: 1N4BZ1CP1KC312686
Stock: 27621822
Certified Pre-Owned: No
2019 Nissan LEAF
SV 4dr Hatchback
$14,990
fair price
- 42,737 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 150 mi range
- Carvana - Dallas (634 mi away)
- Home delivery*
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in Dallas, TX
At Carvana, we go miles beyond the extra mile. That's why we provide you with a convenient, fast, and hassle-free car buying experience that puts you ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
Listing Information:
VIN: 1N4AZ1CP8KC302815
Stock: 2003855305
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 06-26-2025

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The regular 2019 Leaf offers 150 miles of range on a charge, which is far less than the Bolt's 238 miles or the Model 3's 310 miles. The new Hyundai Kona Electric should be another strong pick this year thanks to its 258 miles of range. Nissan will be fighting back, however. A Leaf Plus model, which has a larger battery pack, debuts midway through the model year and provides 226 miles of range.

Even if you can't wait for the Plus version, there are still very good reasons to consider the regular Leaf. First of all, 150 miles is still plenty of range and can meet the demands of most commutes and daily errands. Another big selling point is its price: The Leaf undercuts the Bolt and Model 3 by thousands of dollars. We also like its refined driver assistance features and quiet, upscale interior.

The one thing for sure is that there are more choices than ever for an electric vehicle. If you're shopping for an EV, the Leaf is a strong contender.

Notably, we picked the 2019 Nissan Leaf as one of Edmunds' Best Electric Cars and Cheapest New Cars and Cheapest Electric Cars for this year.

What's it like to live with?

Edmunds owned a Nissan Leaf for one year and drove it almost 10,000 miles. To learn more about our experiences, visit the long-term page for our 2018 Nissan Leaf SL. We cover everything from seat comfort to real-world electric range. We found the low maintenance costs and competitive pricing attractive, though its interior gave us an economy-car vibe. Please note that while the 2019 Nissan Leaf is not significantly different than our long-term Leaf, the available Plus trim now has a larger battery for more range. It's the same generation, though, so most of our observations still apply.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

7.9 / 10

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Nissan Leaf SL.

Scorecard

Overall	7.9 / 10
Driving	8.0
Comfort	8.5
Interior	7.0
Utility	7.5
Technology	8.5

Driving

8.0

With its more powerful electric motor, the second-generation Nissan Leaf feels far more at home when jockeying for position in traffic than the original car, which was a bit of a slug. Its general smoothness, competent chassis demeanor and steering feel will be utterly familiar to Leaf veterans.

Acceleration

8.0

The original was a tortoise, but this second-gen Leaf is more of a hare. Acceleration is brisk, and it's gutsy enough to hold its own in traffic. We can't call it a speed demon, but our measured 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds is far better than the 10.2-second performance of the original.

Braking

8.0

The brakes feel smooth, but most routine braking can be handled by easing off the accelerator if you engage the fantastic new e-pedal mode, which adds control and a bit of fun to the daily drive. In our panic-stop test, the Leaf posted a stopping distance of 128 feet, which is average.

Steering

7.0

The steering isn't particularly intuitive. The Leaf goes where it's pointed, but the resistance doesn't naturally increase to match the car's turning.

Handling

7.5

The low-slung battery helps the Leaf hug the road, and it has the balance and coordination necessary to inspire confidence. But the Leaf's economy-minded tires don't produce enough grip to satisfy those who seek performance and an engaging driving experience.

Drivability

9.0

As with most EVs, smooth, instant power and a total absence of shifting make the Nissan Leaf ridiculously easy to drive. It's a good choice if you want to impress your passengers with your chauffeuring skills.

Comfort

8.5

It's hard to find fault with the Leaf's basic comfort. It delivers a smooth ride, and the front seats are genuinely comfortable. It's a very serene place to spend time thanks to the inherent quietness of its electric propulsion system.

Seat comfort

8.5

We like the Leaf's front seats. They're well-shaped and supportive, yet they still have a nice level of give. They're not overly confining, and they look as if they're well made. Our test driver found them comfortable throughout a four-hour suburban test loop.

Ride comfort

7.5

The Leaf's ride is smooth and nicely controlled — it's neither too rigid nor too buoyant. It's good at swallowing large and small bumps alike, but a little road texture feel and intermittent jiggliness do come through.

Noise & vibration

9.0

The Leaf's electric drive components don't make any noise and lack the commotion that a non-EV car makes when it changes gears. Wind and road noise is the remaining potential noise source, but it isn't overly prominent.

Climate control

8.0

The climate control system is reasonably effective, and you don't have to wait through an engine warm-up phase to get heat because of its electric nature. Liberal use will eat into your range, but this is less of an issue with this big battery. Use the seat heaters instead if you want to conserve.

Interior

7.0

Those who have owned the last-generation Leaf will find this one familiar but improved. It features a traditionally located speedometer and improved radio controls. Seating spaciousness and ease of entry are strong points, but the driving position still suffers from the lack of a telescoping wheel.

Ease of use

7.0

Basic controls such as window switches and steering stalks are simple and effective. The infotainment system is straightforward, and even though the climate controls look dated, their use is self-evident. Our main gripe pertains to the shifter, which is so odd it includes its own user diagram.

Getting in/getting out

8.0

The long doors open wide, and the doorsills are pretty short. The seat height is good for ease of entry, and the roof isn't so low that you have to duck. The rear door openings are generous, and the flattish roofline helps aid entry there, too.

Driving position

6.0

Some drivers might find it hard to settle into their ideal position. The driver's seat is mounted somewhat high and may not adjust down far enough to suit the tallest pilots. But the bigger issue could be the tilt-only steering wheel. Without a telescoping function, the wheel can seem far away for some drivers.

Roominess

7.5

We found plenty of front and rear legroom, and headroom is generous as well. The Leaf's cabin isn't terribly wide, but it feels appropriate for its size.

Visibility

7.5

It's easy to see out thanks to the generously sized windows. Cornering sight lines are aided by peekaboo windows ahead of the front windows, but the rear roof pillars produce a bigger blind spot. The bottom edge of the rear glass is nice and low.

Quality

7.5

The interior materials in the Nissan Leaf look a grade better than those of its predecessor and appropriate for the price point. The leather seats in the SL are downright handsome, in fact. Though technically not a quality issue, the interior uses some materials carried over from the previous-generation Leaf, which stand out compared to the newer elements.

Utility

7.5

The Leaf offers an impressive amount of cargo space when the seats are in use. Maximum capacity isn't that easy to use because the seats come nowhere near to folding flat. Small-item storage up front could be better.

Small-item storage

6.5

You'll want to put most of your things in the cargo area because the pickings are slim up front. The center console box is tight, and the glove compartment is average. You get slender door pockets with molded-in bottle holders and two cupholders in the center console.

Cargo space

8.0

The Leaf's standard cargo space is impressive when the rear seats are in the normal position due to a very low floor. Fold them flat, however, and the picture worsens because the overly simplistic folding mechanism merely piles the seatbacks atop the bottom cushions to create a 10-inch tall barrier.

Child safety seat accommodation

8.0

The wide doors and near-horizontal roofline ease access to strapped-in children, and the fairly generous amount of backseat room helps to accommodate rear-facing seats. The three top anchors are easy to use, but the lower LATCH anchors are somewhat buried in a gap in the seat cushions.

Technology

8.5

This is where the original Leaf fell flat, but the second-generation version has made huge strides. We like the new audio system and its support of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And ProPilot Assist, while not a hands-free automated driving system, is effective at easing the driver's workload in freeway traffic.

Audio & navigation

8.0

The SV and SL versions of the Leaf come with a 7-inch touchscreen navigation system that supports AM/FM, HD radio and satellite radio with real-time traffic information. Two knobs provide volume and tune control, and there are easily understood hard buttons for more complex adjustments.

Smartphone integration

9.0

The Leaf has a USB port that allows a smartphone to be connected, and the upgraded 7-inch touchscreen audio system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Alternatively, you can stream music with Bluetooth audio, and those who prefer to go old school can use the aux jack.

Driver aids

9.0

Automatic emergency braking is standard on all models; the SL and SV offer standard adaptive cruise control. Optional ProPilot Assist adds a more advanced system that includes a more sophisticated lane keeping assist function to help the driver in freeway commuting.

Voice control

7.5

All Leafs have voice controls for Bluetooth-connected phones, and those with the 7-inch touchscreen also have voice controls for audio and navigation functions. The menus are fairly straightforward, but certain phrasing is necessary to get your point across.

Compare 2019 Nissan LEAF trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2019 Nissan LEAF models

The 2019 Nissan Leaf is a compact electric hatchback available in two versions: the regular Leaf and the Leaf Plus. The two differ mainly in their battery. The regular Leaf has a 40-kWh battery that's good for about 150 miles of range. Nissan upgrades the Leaf Plus with a 60-kWh battery that provides 226 miles of range. The Plus also has a more powerful 214-horsepower electric motor compared to the regular model's 147-hp motor.

Each is available in one of three trim levels: S, SV and SL. The S starts out with 16-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, LED taillights, a rear spoiler, keyless entry and start, a rearview camera, a tilt-only steering wheel, automatic climate control, a height-adjustable driver's seat, 60/40-split rear seats, a 5-inch central display, Bluetooth, a USB port, and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and satellite radio. Forward collision warning with automatic braking is also standard.

The optional Charge package (standard on the Leaf Plus S) includes a DC fast-charger port (CHAdeMO standard) and a portable charge cable capable of connecting to 120- and 240-volt sources.

The SV comes with the Charge package, 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, adaptive cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 7-inch touchscreen, navigation, NissanConnect (Nissan's web connectivity and remote-access system) and a six-speaker audio system with HD radio and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

Optional for the SV is the SV Technology package. It adds a power-adjustable driver's seat (with two-way power lumbar), an auto-dimming rearview mirror, LED headlights and running lights, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and the ProPilot Assist suite of driving aids (automatic high-beam control, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capabilities, lane departure warning and intervention, pedestrian detection for the automatic braking function, and an electronic parking brake).

Also optional for the S and the SV is an All Weather package with heated side mirrors, heated front seats and steering wheel, rear heater vents and a heat-pump cabin heater (SV only).

As the top model, the SL adds the All Weather package and the SV Technology package (minus ProPilot Assist for the regular Leaf). Also standard are a 360-degree parking camera, leather upholstery, a Bose seven-speaker sound system and a cargo cover. The only option for this trim is the regular Leaf's SL Technology package, which adds the ProPilot Assist driving aids.

2019 Nissan LEAF EV Insights

Trim:

LEAF S

Estimated Range Based on Age

133 miles

EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 133 miles.

Estimated range mapfrom

Charging

8 hrs

240V Home Charging

EV batteries should be kept at 30-80% charged to extend battery life.

When can I use NACS/Tesla charging stations?

EV Battery Warranty

8 yrs or 100,000 miles

According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.

Estimated battery warranty remaining is 2 years or 16,000 miles for this car.

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

$4,100

Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

Restrictions:
Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers taxpayers a Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credit equal to 30% of the sale price up to a maximum credit of $4,000 for the purchase of a used plug-in electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Beginning January 1, 2024, Clean Vehicle Tax Credits may be initiated and approved at the point of sale at participating dealerships registered with the IRS. Dealers will be responsible for submitting Clean Vehicle Tax Credit information to the IRS. Buyers are advised to obtain a copy of an IRS "time of sale" report, confirming it was submitted successfully by the dealer. Not every version of the vehicle models will necessarily qualify. Please check with the dealer/seller to determine the eligibility of your specific vehicle.

For the vehicle to qualify:
- Price cannot exceed $25,000.
- Need to verify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
- Must be at least two model years older than the current calendar year in which the vehicle was purchased.
- Must be sold through a dealership, private sales not permitted.
- Not have already been transferred after August 16, 2022, to a qualified buyer.
For individuals to qualify:
- Must meet income eligibility, depending on modified adjusted gross income (AGI) and tax filing status.
- Must not be the first owner of the qualifying vehicle.
- Has not been allowed a credit under this section for any sale during the 3-year period ending on the date of the sale of such vehicle.
- Purchased for personal use, not a business, corporation or for resale.
To learn more, visit https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/used-clean-vehicle-credit
Restrictions: Edmunds is partnering with Treehouse, an independent provider of home EV installation services. Edmunds visitors receive a $100 discount when they contract with Treehouse for their home charger installation. Discount excludes permit, hosted inspection, and load management devices. Valid for 30 days.
To learn more, visit https://treehouse.pro/edmundsdiscount/

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Cost to Drive

$53/mo

LEAF

$156/mo

Car Avg.

Monthly estimates based on costs in Iowa

Am I Ready for an EV?

EV ownership works best if you can charge at home (240V outlet)
Adding a home charging system is estimated to cost $1,616 in
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Has Your Car's Value Changed?

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Make

Model

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4.5/5Excellent

#1 out of 6 among Alternative Fuel Vehicles

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$448/yr

vs. $377/yr
for Average Alternative Fuel Vehicle

Frequency

0.2x/yr

vs. 0.52x/yr
for Average Alternative Fuel Vehicle

Severity

6.7%

vs. 8.3%
for Average Alternative Fuel Vehicle

Nissan LEAF Owner Reviews

4.6

32 reviews

5(72%)

4(16%)

3(9%)

2(3%)

1(0%)

See all 32 reviews Write a vehicle review

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

driving has never been this easy

Jeff Powers, 03/13/2019

2019 Nissan LEAF SL 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)

This is our second leaf. We had a 2017 SL with the 30kwh battery. It did cause us some range anxiety, surely at first. My wife was very skeptical regarding that car. We made it work and drove it 14,000 miles from July 2017 to April 2018 before we traded it in on the 2018. The new car is so significantly different, my wife prefers driving this car over our luxury sedan. I enjoy … driving this car as well. With the free charging at local charging stations, it is a no brainer if you are into saving money on fuel cost. I have 16,000 miles on this car now, since April 2018, I have spent $65 on a cabin air filter two weeks ago, and that's it. I have done only the free tire rotations as scheduled, otherwise the only reason it goes to the dealership is to charge as I am in the area. I get free refreshments, and hang out for a bit. The dealer I bought it from also has detailed my car twice for me during the maintenance trips. I can't explain how easy this car is to own. I have an 8.1kw solar panel system on my house, so for my wife who's not into waiting around to charge, it doesn't cost me anything to charge at home. I mean it is free. I do not have an electric energy bill since last year when it was installed. We have bought two of these leafs, qualified for all the tax rebates, which from the fed alone was $15,000 combined on our tax return, the state of Colorado gave us $10,000 combined at the time of purchase, and Xcel energy gave us $10,000 straight off the top of the first leaf, but nothing on the second as we chose the zero percent interest loan for the 2018. So we basically got a car for free. We have driven about 30,000 of the easiest and cheapest miles in two nicely equipped Nissan's. I do not plan on trading in the 2018, it gets 150 miles of range in a normal temperature, which is sufficient for the driving we do. I look forward to getting the SL Plus for the times we need the added range. I will be quite happy trading in my BMW, and not missing it... too much. September 2019: Update We now have just over 23000 miles on the 2018 Leaf. I would say this has been a fair amount of time to really get to know this car. I will say that it still is a very easy car to own. We have done next to no maintenance. I've rotated the tires twice and taken it in for a rattle in which they removed the full dashboard to finally solve the rattle mystery, something to do with an airbag bolt, and also got a new nissan windshield a couple weeks ago due to a stone chip. Either way, still charging when possible at the local EVGO or the like charging stations. It's quite nice not paying for fuel. The car has held up well, everything still works.

Good commuter car, not so good for road trips

New LEAF owner, 12/02/2019

2019 Nissan LEAF SV 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)

My wife and I love the car for local driving. It is ideal for my 18 mile round trip commute. I installed a level 2 charger at home so keeping charged is easy and there are chargers at work. Although the range is listed as 150-160, in winter 100 miles is more realistic. Cold weather battery performance, heat, headlights, and driving over 60mph really decrease the range. An …

An improvement but still lacking some essentials

Jeff, 12/13/2019

2019 Nissan LEAF SL PLUS 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)

Ok, first this is not our first electric vehicle. We traded a 2018 Chevy Bolt for the 2019 Leaf Plus. The reason we traded was the Leaf was a much more comfortable drive with a couple of exceptions. So I am comparing to the Chevy Bolt. 1) The Bolt was much more fun to drive. With the same size motor it accelerated much better than the Leaf. 2) The regenerative braking on the Bolt … is much, much better than the Leaf. This could be the reason the Bolt gets much better mileage. 3) The best I can get on the Leaf is 3.4 miles/kw-hr. I routinely got 4.5 miles/kw-hr on the Bolt. Although the Bolt was rated for 238 miles, we routinely got around 280 miles per charge. The Leaf Plus is rated for 226 miles but we struggle to get 200 miles. 4) The seats in the Leaf are a step above the Bolt. That was our biggest complaint with the Bolt. Leaf seats are very nice.....But whoever at Nissan decided to put that suede leather stripes on the Leather seats should be re-assigned. It is a dirt magnet and gets stained when you condition your leather seats. 5) Nissan needs to have a cooling/heating system for the battery. All the other manufacturers do for a reason. 6) Stock leaf wheels on the top of the line model are ugly as sin. 7) The Leafs ride is much more refined and just feels like a heavier car (actually almost 400 lbs heavier). This means it feels more refined but does not handle near as well as the Bolt. 8) There needs to be a memory setting for the drivers seat. 9) Why no sunroof.....The Hyundai Kona Electric has one.....The new E-Mustang will have a huge one...... 10) The information system is hard to navigate and many settings are hidden in sub-menus 11) Nissan did put a navigation system in the Leaf where the Bolt has to rely on your phone. 12) The back up noise maker on the Leaf is annoying. 13) And my biggest gripe....the trim pieces at the bottom of center console stick out into your leg room. These hit my six foot frame right in the knee and is just very uncomfortable. IF they were padded would not be as bad but the hard plastic hurts my leg. All told.....My wife likes the Leaf better as more comfortable but the Chevy Bolt has more power, better handling, and much better mileage. To bad you cannot mate the two cars and take the best attributes of each. Even so, If you spend two weeks with an electric vehicle you will never go back to gas.......

Best commute car ever

Jeff, 12/13/2018

2019 Nissan LEAF SV 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)

So far I have not had a single problem. After installing a level 2 charger in my garage my 80 mile round trip to work and back is no problem. I usually have 35 to 50 percent battery life remaining. I’m currently at only 8k but so far so good. I was charging at the Nissan dealership across the street from work every other day but after my power bill only increased by about $80 a month …

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2019 LEAF Highlights