About Nissan Electric Vehicles
Nissan has been riding the success of the Leaf, its first mass-produced battery electric vehicle, for over a decade, but the company has been experimenting with electrification since the late 1940s. In fact, in post-WWII Japan, the government actually encouraged the company to develop an electric car (the Tama), due to the scarcity of oil at the time.
Since then, Nissan has developed a handful of EVs, from the practical to the wild and wacky (look up the Pivo). The company finally struck gold in 2010 with the Nissan Leaf, which has been the gateway to electrification for many EV drivers today. The car was awarded World Car of the Year 2011, Car of the Year 2011 in Europe, and Car of the Year Japan in 2011 and 2012. In late 2020, the company announced it had produced half a million of these cars.
Some will argue that Nissan has taken its eye off the EV ball in recent years, but with the recent introduction of the Ariya – the company’s first electric SUV available in the U.S. – and regular enhancements being made to the new Leaf, you can’t argue Nissan isn’t picking up the pace.
Here’s what to know about the latest electric Nissan models (base trims as of Q4 2022):
Leaf – When the Leaf first arrived on American shores in late 2010, it was one of a fabled few produced fully-electric cars available in the U.S. It helped define what an electric car is, and was even listed as the world’s all-time No. 1 selling plug-in electric car through December 2019 (it was dethroned in 2020 by Tesla’s Model 3). Its second generation was introduced in 2017, and that’s the version the 2023 model is based upon.
The 2023 Nissan Leaf will likely pique the interest of many drivers looking for their first EV. For starters, it’s priced incredibly competitively, and with available tax credits, a driver could potentially grab one brand new in the low- to mid-$20k range. It’s also a hatchback with considerable space for passengers and cargo, and includes a few nifty technology features. One of these is the “e-Pedal” feature, which allows the car to switch between regenerative braking modes in case the driver prefers to be able to coast rather than recharge the battery. An 8-in. Infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard.
Unfortunately, the 2023 Leaf also has some glaring issues. The electric elephant in the room is its paltry base range of 149 miles – one of the lowest ranges available for consumer EVs in the U.S. (215 miles of range is available with the higher “SV Plus” trim level). The standard 147 horsepower motor also leaves much to be desired. Another big consideration for those eyeing this vehicle is its CHAdeMO charging connector, which isn’t compatible with many public charging stations out there today (however, a charging adapter could help fix this problem).
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Leaf |
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Base Price |
$28,040 |
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Range |
149 miles |
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Seats |
Five |
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Cargo Capacity |
23.6 cu. ft. |
|
Base Drive |
FWD |
Ariya – Nissan’s new electric SUV is one of those vehicles that have no real rival in the design department. In fact, take the Nissan badge away and there’s a good chance you would have trouble guessing who produced this vehicle. Gone are the sharp lines the Japanese automaker has become known for in recent years, as instead, the Ariya opts for a rounded, low-to-the-ground look with a sumo-style stance. Nissan says the Ariya represents the company’s future design direction.
The Ariya’s interior is also uniquely stylized, as Nissan opted for a minimalistic cockpit. Besides the steering wheel, nearly all physical buttons are gone. Instead, everything the driver needs in the cabin is accessed from dual 12.3-in. digital dashboard displays.
While there is plenty to either love or hate when it comes to this EV’s style, Nissan went out of its way to offer a plethora of options in just about every other area. Two different battery sizes are available, a standard 63.0-kWh battery or a larger 87.0-kWh battery, and front- or all-wheel drive are also on offer. The Ariya is being offered in six trim levels, with driving ranges anywhere from 216 all the way up to 304.
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Ariya |
|
|
Base Price |
$43,190 |
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Range |
216 miles |
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Seats |
Five |
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Cargo Capacity |
22.8 cu. ft. |
|
Base Drive |
FWD |
