If you’re looking to travel from point A to a fairly distant point B on a budget, a pre-owned Nissan Leaf could be an attractive option.
The Nissan Leaf
The 2010 EV was a pioneering mass-produced electric vehicle, establishing the template for early adopters. Its performance offered feeble acceleration and limited range, and its design gave it a distinctive, futuristic appearance. It ideally suited those in the market for a vehicle in 2010 who deemed the Toyota Prius insufficiently unconventional or hardcore.
Competition surpassed the Leaf. Tesla demonstrated that EVs could be stylish and offer more than three times the range of the Leaf. Chevrolet created a more developed model.
Bolt EV
There is now a significant segment of affordable electric crossovers in the market. However, Nissan has continuously updated the Leaf. And the brand has firmly maintained its key advantage over the competition: affordability.
The Nissan Leaf S is designed for those who want an affordable and environmentally friendly option with a long-range electric motor that can travel 226 miles without needing a recharge.
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Available at an initial price under $30,000, and if you’re looking to travel from A to B on a reasonably distant route while on a budget, a second-hand Nissan Leaf may be an enticing choice.
If you’re in the market for a used Nissan Leaf, here are the questions you must ask (and potential pitfalls to avoid when buying).
Which model year Nissan Leaf are you purchasing?
The main difference between Nissan Leafs is primarily seen across generations. The first-gen Nissan Leaf (2011-17) was a trailblazer. However, it also produced 107 horsepower and had an underwhelming EPA-estimated range of 73 miles with its 24 kWh battery pack. A larger 30 kWh pack was introduced later in the model cycle, which boosted the range to 107 miles. Keep in mind that those models today achieve significantly less in range than they did initially.
Nissan expanded the Leaf’s appeal with the second generation (2018-present). The standard 42 kWH battery now provides an estimated 149 miles of range according to the EPA. Nissan now offers the Leaf Plus, introduced in 2019, which increases the power output to 215 horsepower and the estimated range to 212 miles with its 62 kWh battery.
What is the typical price of a pre-owned Nissan Leaf?
Used Nissan Leafs have a wide price range. You get the level of quality matched to your purchase price. First-generation Leafs tend to be significantly less expensive. Older first-gen models, often with higher mileage and reduced range, can be found for under $5,000. Later first-gen models with the 30 kWh battery may cost between $5,000 and $10,000.
Prices for second-generation Leafs tend to fall within a higher price range of $10,000 to $20,000, contingent on age, usage, and whether it was a Plus model. An older Leaf Plus model from recent production might potentially cross the $20,000 mark.
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Are there concerns about battery degradation in used Nissan Leafs?
Yes. All lithium-ion batteries lose capacity as time passes. This can be particularly concerning for first-generation Nissan Leafs. These vehicles have been on the road for over a decade, had relatively outdated battery technology, and were often driven extensively by their owners, who frequently charged the battery to 100 percent. A Leaf that initially had a range of 73 miles may now only reach in the 40s or 50s.
Some Leafs produced before 2015 showed rapid degradation when subjected to extreme heat in places like the US Southwest. The Nissan Leaf employed a passive air cooling system for its battery packs instead of the liquid cooling used in many modern electric vehicles. In 2015, Nissan unveiled an improved 24 kWh “Lizard” battery with better heat resistance.
Nissan LEAF quick charging (CHAdeMO) at EVgo station
What kind of charger does a Nissan Leaf use?
Nissan sold the Leaf in various configurations. The configuration of the vehicle can impact the speed at which it can be charged. For Level 2 home charging, initial models of the Leaf came equipped with a standard 3.6 kW capacity and an optional upgrade to 6.6 kW. The latter option has since become standard on newer models of the Leaf. This rate is slower than the 11.4 kW home charging capability of some other EVs. However, keep in mind that the Leaf has a smaller battery.
Fast charging for a Leaf is relatively slow by contemporary electric vehicle (EV) standards. Leaf vehicles come with a 50-kilowatt (kW) quick charge port. Leaf Plus models upgrade to a 100-kW high-output quick charge port. The Leaf uses the CHAdeMO plug for fast charging; it’s essentially the only EV still using it. That leaves Leaf owners with
comparatively few options
for fast charging.
Does the used Nissan Leaf have difficulty performing well in cold weather?
Initial first-generation Nissan Leafs struggled with cabin heating requirements, which depleted the range in cold weather. Nissan introduced an option for a more efficient heat pump in 2013, labelled as the “Hybrid Heater System” on the Monroney. This was available on higher trim levels and as part of a cold weather package, which can help reduce winter range loss.
Testing has demonstrated that second-generation Leafs are
Slightly more robust than the original model in colder environments.
A 2019 Leaf
outperformed several competitors
It maintains its temperature range in cold weather.
Does a used Nissan Leaf enjoy warranty coverage?
Yes. Please review the fine print. Nissan usually offers a comprehensive warranty on Leafs, covering three years or 36,000 miles, along with a powertrain warranty for five years or 60,000 miles. Additionally, Leafs with larger battery packs beyond the 24 kWh battery pack come with an eight-year or 100,000-mile battery warranty. Many first-generation Leafs are now out of warranty, while some second-generation Leafs still have warranty coverage for their batteries.
Please note that the battery warranty only covers repairs if the battery’s capacity falls below 9 out of 12 bars. This does not mean you will get a brand new battery. It means we will repair the battery to restore its capacity to at least 9 out of 12 bars.
