2020 Nissan Leaf Review

The Nissan Leaf is one of the most sought-after electric vehicles on the market and for good reason. The Nissan Leaf is reliable, efficient, fun to drive and has a long-range, making it the perfect EV for commuters and city dwellers alike. It competes with the Chevrolet Bolt EV, Hyundai Kona Electric and Tesla Model 3.

Introduction

The Nissan Leaf is a battery-electric compact hatchback that was introduced in 2010 and has been in production for two generations. The first generation, known as the ZE0/AZE0, was produced from 2010 to 2016 and the second generation, known as the ZE1, has been in production from 2017 to the present.

Mechanically, the second generation Leaf is comparable to the first generation, although it has better range and performance. In terms of style, it is a significant departure from the previous model.
The second-generation Leaf has a range of up to 240 kilometres, more than most other electric cars at the time. The Leaf can be recharged using a standard household socket, or quickly using a CHAdeMO fast charger.
The 2020 Leaf gets a healthy dose of new feature updates, including a more modern eight-inch infotainment display unit, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Driver assistance features that were optional on previous models are now standard.

Powertrain

The 2020 Nissan Leaf is powered by a Nissan EM57 electric motor, which comes in two versions, the standard EM57-110kW and the optional EM57-160kW.

2020 Nissan Leaf grades

  1. 2020 Nissan Leaf X– This is the base grade which comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED tail lights, reversing camera, cloth seats, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports, climate control, power windows and locks, keyless entry and push-button start, cruise control, lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking.
  2. 2020 Nissan Leaf G- This level comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, halogen headlights and taillights, black grille, black door mirrors and black rear spoiler, cloth seats, manually adjustable front seats, manual air conditioning, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, four-speaker sound system and cruise control.
  3. 2020 Nissan Leaf XV Selection – This level comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, body-coloured rear spoiler, electrically heated mirrors, privacy glass, heated cloth seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, reversing camera.
  4. 2020 Nissan Leaf Nismo– This is the top trim level and comes with unique front and rear bumpers with red accents, side skirts, black 18-inch alloy wheels, Nismo badge on front grille, rear bumper and side skirts, Nismo sports steering wheel, red stitching on seats, steering wheel and gear knob, Nismo logo on seats and floor mats and unique Nismo drive mode.

2020 Nissan Leaf interior

The 2020 Leaf has a well-designed, simple, and modern interior with intuitive technology. The materials are mostly plastics, but they fit well and don’t feel cheap. The front seats are supportive with plenty of legroom and headroom. The rear seats are a little tighter, but they’re still comfortable for two adults. The rear center seat has limited legroom because of the battery underneath.
The front seats are manually adjustable and have cloth upholstery as standard. Leather upholstery, heated front seats, eight-way power driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, and leather-wrapped steering wheel are available as options.
Two full sets of LATCH connectors are available for the Leaf’s rear outboard seats to secure child seats.

2020 Nissan Leaf Cargo space

The 2020 Nissan Leaf offers 23.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 30.0 cubic feet with the seats folded. This is plenty of room for groceries, a couple of golf bags, or even a few pieces of luggage and a cooler for a weekend away.
2020 Nissan Leaf exteriorThe 2020 Leaf has a stylish and modern look with a sleeker profile and a more aggressive front end than the outgoing model. One of the most striking exterior elements of the 2020 Leaf is the car’s sleek, streamlined silhouette, which maximizes aerodynamic efficiency. The front fascia features a redesigned V-Motion grille with 3D blue mesh, similar to those found on Nissan vehicles such as the Altima and Maxima. The grille gives the Leaf a more dynamic and athletic appearance.
The 2020 Leaf also features new headlights that are more angular and powerful than the outgoing model. The rear lights have also been changed and now have a boomerang shape, while the rear bumper now has a clear curve.

 

Safety features; reversing camera, front and rear collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, rear door alert, adaptive cruise control, ProPilot Assist, driver drowsiness monitoring, surround view, parking camera system.

Performance

The 2020 Nissan Leaf may not be the fastest or most engaging car to drive, but it delivers solid performance on the road. Its electric motor responds quickly to throttle inputs and propels the Leaf confidently off the line, around town, and up to motorway speeds. It accelerates from 0-60mph in 7.8 seconds, faster than most cars.
The Leaf’s suspension is tuned for comfort and absorbs bumps and potholes well.
The ride and handling of the 2020 Leaf is similarly refined. When cornering at speed, the Leaf feels stable, the electric steering is responsive and weighted, and it’s easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
The brakes are smooth, and most normal braking can be done by easing off the accelerator when the e-pedal mode is activated, adding control and a little fun to everyday driving.

Reliability

The 2020 Nissan Leaf is generally considered to be a reliable EV, as the Leaf has a good track record of reliability in previous years.
The Leaf’s electric powertrain is straightforward and reliable. There are no moving parts, so there are fewer things to go wrong. The Leaf’s battery also comes with a long warranty. The interior of the Leaf is similarly well-made and durable. There have been a few instances of problems with the Leaf’s interior materials or trim.
However, some owners have reported problems with the automatic brakes, inaccurate readings on the instrument cluster, reversing camera, and noisy suspension.
If you are considering buying a Nissan Leaf or currently own one, it is important to read the Owner’s Manual and Buyer’s Guide for detailed information.

Pros

– Large touchscreen
– Smooth acceleration
– Quiet driving experience

Cons

– Front-wheel drive only
– Rear seats don’t fold flat

Verdict

The Nissan Leaf is a tried and tested electric car that offers good range and a comfortable ride. It’s not the quickest or most engaging car to drive, but it’s a good choice for commuters and drivers looking for an efficient, reliable and comfortable car.

2020 Nissan Leaf side profile.