If you are in the market for a cost-effective, fuel-efficient, and tech-savvy vehicle, we suggest adding the 2021 Nissan LEAF to your shortlist. The 2021 Nissan LEAF is well-equipped with multiple standard features, has quick acceleration, has a spacious cabin that comfortably seats five passengers, and is loaded with some of the auto industry’s best safety features. While shopping for a new car can be a challenge, we have detailed below three reasons why you should take a closer look at this vehicle. It may end up at the top of your list once you’ve read more about them.
#1 Budget-Friendly Affordability
The first highlight to share regarding the 2021 Nissan LEAF is its cost. The base model is under $32,000, so it is lower than the average priced electric vehicle (EV) in the market. However, because this is a 100% electric vehicle (more on this later), the incentives such as the $7,500 New Qualified Plug-In Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit can push the purchase price under $25,000 once all is said and done. That is amazing value for an electric vehicle with so many standard features and one that has a historic record of reliability and long-term value.
Speaking of value, Kelley Blue Book has rated the 2021 Nissan LEAF as having the lowest cost-to-own among electric vehicles. The LEAF has won this distinction multiple times but what that means to your vehicle is an average of $5,906 lower in cost relative to its competitors. So, not only do you get the benefit of not having to pay for gas, but you also have better costs when it comes to charging up and maintenance.
When you’re in the market for a car, you also need to carefully examine the cost of maintenance over time. The LEAF also scores huge points here. First, being 100% electric, you never have to go and buy fuel at the gas station anymore. This will save you, on average, $800 per year. Next, you don’t have to buy oil changes, get new spark plugs, do fluid flushes or undergo belt replacements. This is because there is no internal combustion engine in the LEAF, so costly tune-ups like this are avoidable.
If your budget can manage it, and it very well might, given the incentives and credits we’ve just reviewed, take a hard look at the S Plus trim. You’ll be optimizing the bang for the buck with this choice. Not only is it still under $40,000 starting, but it has a premium battery giving you a longer driving range, and there are even more cool tech features outfitted on this version.
#2 Strong EV Track Record
The LEAF has been in production since 2010, so there is over a decade of information on this electric vehicle, and as mentioned previously, it is repeatedly awarded for being a value due to its low cost of ownership. That means the LEAF has a strong track record you can feel confident about, but let’s explore the details about this electric vehicle that really matter. First is the battery. The 2021 Nissan LEAF has two options, a 40kWh battery that’ll get up to 149 miles on a full charge and the bigger 62 kWh battery that gets a longer range of up to 226 miles on a full charge. These lithium-ion batteries are floor mounted as well, meaning the car will have a lower center of gravity and deliver a smoother and more stable ride as a result.
The 2021 Nissan LEAF is also a great performer. This battery accelerates quickly and can go from 0-60 in 7.4 seconds. If you’re a bit risk-averse, you’ll get peace of mind in knowing that Nissan has a 96-month or 100,000-mile warranty on the battery, and there is EV system coverage on parts such as the motor inverter, dc converter, and onboard charger. This is Nissan’s way of letting its customers know it believes in its batteries and will stand behind them for the lifecycle of the vehicle.
Being a 100% all-electric vehicle, you’ll also feel pretty good about helping our environment. There are zero tailpipe emissions, no engine noise, and a peacefully quiet ride. Innovations by Nissan such as the e-Pedal allow you to push down to accelerate and ease off to brake, so you don’t have to manage dual pedals if you don’t want to do so. The e-Pedal innovation combined with your drive mode is a genius concept whereby you control how you extend the battery life by converting braking energy into charging energy.
Speaking of charging, don’t worry about how and where to charge because Nissan LEAF has this completely covered. There are multiple charging options at your disposal. The home charge is popular, so while you sleep, the LEAF charges. You can fully charge the battery in about 8 hours with Level 2 charging. However, there are literally thousands of charging stations around the United States. A quick 40 minute stop will give you an 80% charge on the battery when you use DC Fast Charging. Finally, if you really need a charge, just use a standard 120V outlet and plug LEAF right in. While the Level 1 charging is a little slower, the LEAF will power up when plugged into this basic outlet.
#3 Smartly Equipped Technology Tools
If you’re in the market for a car that works smart and gives you the comfort and convenience of connectivity while on the road, the 2021 Nissan LEAF fills that need. The 2021 Nissan LEAF has an EZ Charge App that’ll help you locate thousands of charging stations right on your phone. The NissanConnect EV technology is specific to LEAF and allows you to control certain features remotely, like the temperature.
Being in control when driving is important, and the 2021 Nissan LEAF has some of the best high-tech, standard safety features around. Features like Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Warning, and Rear Automatic Braking are part of the LEAF safety package. Combined, these modern technological safety features give you the extra eyes you need to stay out of harm’s way.
In the cabin, you’ll find the technology tools are well-appointed. The LEAF has a beautiful 8-inch customizable touch screen that places everything you need literally at your fingertips. The digital driver display also gives you relevant information about the charging status of the vehicle that is up-to-the-minute real-time and includes the charging percentage, remaining range, and temperature reading.
Of course, the vehicle is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, so your digital world keeps up with you as you drive the LEAF. The USB ports mean you’ll never lose power to your mobile device, and Bluetooth is convenient and safe for making hands free phone calls. The Bose Energy Efficient Premium Audio System not only sounds like you’re attending a live concert but the speakers are strategically placed in the vehicle to conserve power, hence the energy-efficient name.
Overall, the 2021 Nissan LEAF Is a Solid Option
If you are just starting to browse for a new car or have been deep in the research for a while now, consider the 2021 Nissan LEAF. If you apply the credits and rebates, you can pick one up for under $30,000. The LEAF is an excellent EV choice due to its value and reliability, and the standard tech features are true value for the money. When you put it all together, the 2021 Nissan LEAF becomes a strong contender for your new car.
