You’ve decided on the Nissan Leaf as your next daily driver. With two versions to choose from, you have a big decision ahead to make sure you get the right model to fit your needs. To help you with that, we’ve outlined how each trim breaks down in terms of features and battery size.
Nissan Leaf S
The base S is the least expensive way to get the Leaf into your driveway. For 2021, models with the standard 40-kWh battery cost $32,545 including destination or $38,145 if you go for the Leaf Plus with the larger 62-kWh unit. You get a generous list of standard features on the S trim, which includes an 8.0-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a rearview camera, and Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 suite of driver assistance features. That gets you forward collision warning, front and rear automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, and rear cross-traffic alert. The S Plus swaps out the 16-inch steel wheels with alloy units of similar diameter. S variants with the standard battery don’t come with the fast charge port or a portable charging cable for 120V/240V outlets. You need to get the S Charge package to get both on the Leaf S with the standard battery.
Nissan Leaf SV
If you’re looking for more equipment options, the Leaf SV starts at $35,835 for the standard model and $41,395 for the SV Plus. The extra costs get you 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, heated front seats, built-in navigation, a heated steering wheel, and adaptive cruise control. SV models are also the least expensive way to get a Leaf with ProPilot Assist, a system that bundles together adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, lane centering, and steering assist to help ease driving through congestion or longer trips. You can get that feature via the SV Technology or SV Plus Technology packages. Both options also add an eight-way power driver’s seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a garage door opener, LED headlights, portable 120V/240V charging cable, an electronic parking brake, driver attention alert, and a surround-view parking camera system.
Nissan Leaf SL
If you want everything, the Leaf SL is the way to go. Available only with the larger 62-kWh battery, the Leaf SL will run you $44,845. That builds on all of the features from the SV/SV Plus and the SV/SV Plus Technology package and adds a seven-speaker Bose audio system, leather upholstery, and a cargo cover.
Standard or Big Battery?
The standard 40-kWh battery is EPA-rated for 149 miles of range on a single charge. That is paired to an electric motor making 147 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. Opting for the larger 62-kWh battery gets you 226 miles on a charge but only on the base S trim. Opting for the SV or SL variants on the Leaf Plus cuts the total range down to 215 miles. You also get a more powerful electric motor with 214 hp and 250 lb-ft on the Leaf Plus.
TL; DR
Both variants offer a good proposition as a daily driver but make sure you get the right battery size to fit your needs. You may not need to go for the larger battery if you don’t plan to use your Nissan Leaf on longer drives. However, if you plan to do more than commuting and running errands with the car, the longer-range Leaf Plus may be worth the extra cost.
