2021 Nissan LEAF
Price Range: $13,998 - $17,590
Nissan LEAF Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(63%)
4(18%)
3(9%)
2(4%)
1(6%)
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.
Great EV, just don't pay MSRP/Tesla prices
Tori, 06/02/2021
2020 Nissan LEAF SL PLUS 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
Nissan is currently (June 2021) giving thousands of dollars in incentives, plus state and federal credits that can bring a fully-loaded Leaf Plus down to ~$25,000 or less. At a $42k+ sticker price, it doesn't impress compared to a Model 3, but at $25k after incentives and tax credits, it's a fantastic value with 200+ mile range and lots of great features.
Things I love:
Cheapest car on … the market with ProPilot's capabilities
Cheapest 200+ mile EV
Single-pedal driving feels great in stop and go
Very spacious trunk (coming from a Prius Prime this is wonderful)
Surprisingly powerful motor on the Plus trims (equivalent to the Bolt)
Android auto
Physical controls for climate control (as opposed to on the touch screen)
Things I don't love that you'll have to evaluate to see if they're deal breakers:
Center console sticks into the legroom more than I'd like, but seats are otherwise comfortable
Visibility around the A-pillar is so-so
No option to automatically stop charging at a certain percentage
Touch screen can feel unresponsive at times
A Solid Alternative to Tesla Nation Etc.
EV Guy in CA , 09/30/2020
2020 Nissan LEAF SL PLUS 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
One year of ownership on the books - and the Leaf has officially become a welcome member of the household. It has done this by providing a fun and reasonably quick driving experience, perfect reliability, delivering its 225 mile range as advertised, and just having a cheeky presence on the road.
I'm a former Tesla owner, so there's no need to explain how the Leaf can't touch the … 0-to-60 figures of anything from the Tesla stable. The SL model has plenty of oomph to zip around town, merge onto the freeway, and cruise along at the typical 75-to-80 mph range on the California highways. Innovation is swell, but it's also pleasant it is to own a car with a traditional dealer network standing behind it. Service appointments are quick and painless, and accessories (extra floor mats etc) are easily attainable. Over the air updates are not part of the equation. But when the car needed a software update for the audio system, I was OK having a Latte for an hour while the dealership did its thing.
If you're a heavy road-tripper, the Leaf likely isn't your best choice. But if you have a 240V fast-charge in the garage, the Leaf fits the bill as a perfect commuter option, with enough range to head to the wineries, lakes, golf courses (yeah - this is Northern CA) for your typical day trip.
There are a few de-merits out there. After a year of tweaking and playing with the audio system, it's still not very impressive for a Bose branded system. Bass and depth are limited, more in line with what I would expect for a "base" audio option. It's still annoying that Nissan cheaped out and didn't include a power passenger seat. And there's some work to do with brake feel. It feels a bit more golf cart than sporty sedan.
On the other hand, single pedal driving is easy and intuitive when the car is in the "Eco-Drive" mode. The intuitive cruise control works like a charm, and I love the 360-camera view option.
Balance it all out, and the Leaf impresses as an EV with that ingrained reliability and careful fit and finish we have come to expect from the Japanese automakers. If you need extended range, this obviously isn't your best choice. But for a price around 30K (purchase price after discounts and Federal / CA incentives), we're quite pleased, and would definitely consider another Nissan EV down the line.
still the best car I ever have
Jim Yeh, 11/24/2020
2020 Nissan LEAF S PLUS 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
after driving this car more than 1.5 yrs, I still like it very much: almost 0 maintenance, extremely low running cost; handles very well, accelerates very well. The list goes on and on. But I will say a few things that I think could use some improvements: no day-time running light, Nissan should not save on safety related things. when I turn off the car, the information about battery … charge level disappears. this should be an easy fix, as the charging timer is set after the car is turned off, so I have to remember the current charge level. Also, instead of setting a charging time, maybe also a level so that I do not over charge? do not know if Nissan has a channel to hear customers' feedback. ah, the car radio unit failed and that's under warranty. i take it a rare incident, just back luck, not an indication of the quality of the car. other than this, no other issues at all.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Nissan LEAF, so we've included reviews for other years of the LEAF since its last redesign.
2021 Nissan LEAF videos
EV Comparison Test -- Chevy Bolt v. Nissan Leaf v. Tesla Model 3
NOTE: This video is about the 2018 Nissan LEAF, but since the 2021 Nissan LEAF is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
As battery electric vehicles become an established part of our automotive landscape, we took this opportunity to put the three most popular EVs - Chevrolet's Bolt, Nissan's Leaf and Tesla's Model 3 - through testing to re-examine each model's strengths and weaknesses. As a group, how have electric vehicles changed from when they first hit the road? Which is the best… all-around EV? Watch to find out about the latest crop of battery electric cars.
Safety
Our experts like the LEAF models:
- ProPilot Assist
- Includes stop-and-go traffic-adaptive cruise control and can keep the car centered within your lane to reduce driver fatigue.
- Advanced Airbag System
- The front airbags adjust inflation rate based on crash severity, and side bags adjust based on seat position, helping to minimize injury.
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Detects an imminent front collision. Can warn the driver and automatically apply the brakes if necessary.
FAQ
Is the Nissan LEAF a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2021 LEAF both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.9 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2021 LEAF gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 54 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the LEAF has 23.6 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Nissan LEAF. Learn more
What's new in the 2021 Nissan LEAF?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Nissan LEAF:
- The Leaf is unchanged for 2021
- Part of the second Leaf generation introduced for 2018
Is the Nissan LEAF reliable?
To determine whether the Nissan LEAF is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the LEAF. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the LEAF's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2021 Nissan LEAF a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2021 Nissan LEAF is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2021 LEAF and gave it a 7.9 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2021 LEAF gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 54 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2021 LEAF is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2021 Nissan LEAF?
The least-expensive 2021 Nissan LEAF is the 2021 Nissan LEAF S 4dr Hatchback (electric DD). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $31,670.
Other versions include:
- S 4dr Hatchback (electric DD) which starts at $31,670
- SV 4dr Hatchback (electric DD) which starts at $34,960
- S PLUS 4dr Hatchback (electric DD) which starts at $38,270
- SV PLUS 4dr Hatchback (electric DD) which starts at $40,520
- SL PLUS 4dr Hatchback (electric DD) which starts at $43,970
What are the different models of Nissan LEAF?
If you're interested in the Nissan LEAF, the next question is, which LEAF model is right for you? LEAF variants include S 4dr Hatchback (electric DD), SV 4dr Hatchback (electric DD), S PLUS 4dr Hatchback (electric DD), and SV PLUS 4dr Hatchback (electric DD). For a full list of LEAF models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more











