When I learned that I would be driving a 2015 Nissan LEAF for a week, I was so excited I started dancing around the office (or was it just in my head?). My dream is a world with nothing but electric vehicles on the road, and now I finally had the opportunity to spend time with one.
Despite some minor concerns about the range, the LEAF is the first car that almost made me regret buying a Versa Note last spring.
What is a Nissan LEAF?
The 5-passenger Nissan LEAF is one of few all-electric cars available in Canada right now. Customers have a choice of three trim levels including the following (all prices below include freight and PDI):
- S at $33,888;
- SV at $37,138;
- SL at $40,638.
They’re not cheap, but remember that most provincial governments offer incentives to EV buyers and lessees that can go as high as $8,500 in Ontario and $8,000 in Quebec. Also, you will never again have to stop at the gas station or pay for oil changes. Let that sink in.
Under the hood is an 80kW (107hp) electric motor fed by a 24kWh lithium-ion battery. The LEAF achieves the equivalent of 1.9L/100km in the city and 2.3L/100km on the highway. According to Natural Resources Canada, this amounts to annual savings of $442.
Inside and Out of the 2015 Nissan LEAF SL
Unmistakable with those bulging headlights and ultra-curvaceous behind, the Nissan LEAF is a pretty stylish EV that's larger on the inside than it lets on from the outside. In fact, there's plenty of room for front passengers, although those sitting in the back are not quite as fortunate, especially when it comes to legroom.
Cargo capacity is generous, too. The trunk alone can haul 679 litres, and folding the rear seats will give you a total of 849 litres. Not bad at all for an EV, eh?
My top-of-the-line SL tester featured navigation, Nissan's Around View Monitor, front and rear heated seats, a Bose stereo, and the CARWINGS information system that allows owners to find a nearby charging station, schedule an off-peak charge for optimal savings or activate pre-set climate settings (it's even possible to do all that remotely using the CARWINGS smartphone app).
Driving the 2015 Nissan LEAF SL
I would like to add a new definition to the word “serenity,” that goes something like this: “The highly pleasant state of mind of anyone who drives a Nissan LEAF.”
There's no vibration, no engine noise, no hard shifting. Just depress the throttle, and you'll feel like you're moving on a cloud. The closest comparison that comes to mind would be a bumper car -- minus the collisions, of course.
While the ECO mode helps maximize efficiency and results in smoother acceleration, it's a different story in regular drive mode. Sure, 107 horsepower is by no means a healthy amount of power, but the torque from the electric motor makes the Nissan LEAF quite lively and explosive enough to laugh at compact-car drivers as you merge onto the highway. Be careful, though, because high-speed driving will deplete the battery in a similar hurry.
That brings us to the all-important matter of range. Typical daily commutes are no problem with the LEAF, but you'll likely need another car to pay your long-distance relatives a visit. Nissan claims the LEAF can cover 160 kilometres with a full charge, but that's when you drive in the most efficient way, don't use the HVAC system, and don't hit the highway. That being said, if you plan your route accordingly, you’ll be able to find a charging station along the way.
Are you ready to wait, though? While fast charging the LEAF takes some 30 minutes, using a 240V power source increases charging times to around four hours; with a 120V household outlet, it's at least 15 hours. You'd better plan your trips well!
Comparing the 2015 Nissan LEAF SL
In a slowly but surely growing segment that also includes the Chevrolet Volt, Ford Focus Electric, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, as well as the upcoming Kia Soul EV, and Volkswagen e-Golf, the Nissan LEAF proves popular among buyers. It's easily one of the best-rounded, longest-range EVs on the market.
