Primary Everyday Vehicle: 2017 Nissan LEAF Electric
Now in its eighth year of production in the United States, the Nissan LEAF (LEAF is short for leading environmentally-friendly affordable family) car, again provides drivers with the space and range to meet everyday needs; an exceptional value proposition due to zero spending on gas, lower operating and maintenance costs; and a starting price after tax incentives comparable to a similarly sized gas-powered car. Along with saving money, Nissan LEAF has a range that is more than twice the average driver's daily need and LEAF's instant, smooth acceleration and fun-to-drive handling characteristics.
Available in S, SV and SL trim levels, the LEAF now offers a 30 kWh battery for all trim levels for 2017. The battery powers a high-response 80 kW AC synchronous electric motor which drives the front wheels through a single-speed reducer. The 30 kWh battery pack weighs just 46 pounds more than the previous 24 kWh battery pack and has the same size and footprint.
The 2017 Nissan LEAF offers a number of charging options, with a charge port located in the front body for the 240V charger and portable trickle-charge cable (110V). A charge port light and lock are standard. The available Quick Charge Port (standard on SV and SL, optional on S) allows charging to 80 percent capacity in about 30 minutes at charging stations using a CHAdeMO fast charger. There is also a standard photovoltaic solar panel spoiler on SL models, which supports charging of the 12-volt battery for vehicle accessories. Charging on a home charging system (Level 2, 240V) is estimated to take about six hours with the 6.6 kW onboard charger.
The front-wheel drive LEAF uses a dedicated Nissan EV platform with batteries housed in the floor for optimum vehicle packaging and weight distribution. The body design includes a rigid-mounted battery frame, which helps provide greater body rigidity compared to a conventional compact car. Placing the batteries in the floor of the vehicle also helps to enhance handling and allows for five-passenger seating by not intruding into the cabin space. Smooth ride and handling are provided through use of an independent strut suspension with stabilizer bar in front and a torsion beam rear suspension with integrated stabilizer bar.
Because Nissan LEAF does not have an internal combustion engine, Nissan has incorporated an "Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians" system, which is designed to alert pedestrians that a vehicle is approaching. When driving at low speeds, the system emits a sound from a speaker at the front of the vehicle. When the vehicle's speed reaches 19 mph, pedestrians are able to hear the car moving and the "approaching sound" automatically turns off. If the vehicle speed drops below 16 mph, the sound comes on again.
Inside the passenger cabin, the roomy LEAF interior offers a pleasingly modern design with a bright, welcoming atmosphere. The wide, high-tech instrument panel design is dominated by a twin combination meter display in front of the driver and a center "floating" C-stack with a 5.0-inch color LCD display (S grade) for use with the standard NissanConnect. The digital "eyebrow" display at the top of the instrument panel provides high visibility for the Eco indicator and speedometer, while the lower liquid crystal meter display houses the percentage style state-of-charge meter, power meter, battery temperature gauge, multi-function display, remaining energy gauge, capacity level gauge and distance-to-empty display.
A 7.0-inch display with multi-touch control is standard on SV and SL grades. The flat panel center C-stack cluster includes the color monitor for the standard RearView Monitor and control of the audio and climate systems, as well as the Around View® Monitor5 (available on SV and SL).
Dimensions & specifications
Wheelbase: 106.3; overall length: 175.0; width: 69.7; height: 61.0
All vehicle measurements are in inches.
Engine: 80 kW AC Synchronous Electric Motor – 107 hp/187 lbs-ft of torque; 30 kHw laminated lithium-ion battery – 192 cells.
Transmission: single speed reducer automatic
EPA Fuel Economy: 124 city/101 highway MPGe
Cargo capacity: 30 cubic feet
Safety features
Dual front airbags, front seat mounted side-impact airbags, roof-mounted dual head curtain side-impact airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, traction control, vehicle dynamic control, hill-start assist, Bluetooth hands free phone system, Nissan Intelligent Key, push button engine start, automatic power door locks, rearview monitor, side-door beams, engine immobilizer, vehicle security system, and tire pressure monitoring system. SV adds NissanConnect and navigation system. SL adds automatic headlamps, fog lights, and HomeLink universal transceiver.
Optional safety features include Around View Monitor.
Warranty
Basic: 3-year/36,000 mile
Battery Pack: 8-year/100,000 mile
Roadside Assistance: 3-year/36,000 mile 24-hour
Pricing
The base Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2017 Nissan LEAF Electric starts from $30,680 for the S, $34,200 for the SV, and $36,790 for the SL. Destination charges add $885.
