Nissan’s Leaf SL Plus has a 215-mile battery range; Prices start at $ 37,500

Now, Nissan says that with a smaller battery, the 2023 S model can charge 80 percent full power in 40 minutes using the “Quick Charge” port, while the SV Plus can charge 80 percent in one hour.
After the 2018 redesign increased its range from the original 107 to 149 miles, the Leaf hatchback was introduced in a new extended-range version called the Plus for 2020.

For the 2022 model year, five leaf trim levels are offered – two standard models with a lower range and three plus versions with an extended range. The standard models come with a 40 kWh battery, while the longer-range models have a 62 kWh battery.
The two standard 2022 models are the Leaf S ($ 27,400) and the SV ($ 28,800).
Extended range models S Plus ($ 32,400), SV Plus ($ 35,400) and SL Plus ($ 37,400), we tested for this report.
The 2020 changes include all trim levels to offer the Nissan Safety Shield 360 package as standard equipment. It includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic warning, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning and high-beam assist.

All versions come with Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Lane Intervention and Blind-Spot Intervention.
The 2022 standard models get an eight-inch color touch-screen display, and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the board.
Driver and Front Passenger Knee Air Bags and Rear Seat-Mounted Outboard Side-Impact Air Bags are included for all 2020 Leaf versions. Intelligent Around View Monitor and Intelligent Driver Alertness Features – Available on SV models via standard SV Technology Package ($ 1,490).
Our testers come with the Sunset Drift Chromaflare Premium Paint ($ 395 extra). The premium two-tone paint combination is $ 695 extra.
One feature that has taken some time to get accustomed to is the new sound indicating moving forward so the car can be heard by the blind at crosswalks. Nissan says that the sound is called “kanto” (from the Latin verb ‘I sing’). It will play as the car moves forward under 18.6 mph.

There’s also a new “pulsing chime” that sounds like when the car is backing up. “Both sounds are louder than before to comply with the updated US Electric Vehicle Regulations, effective Sept. 1, 2020,” states Nissan. An additional speaker is placed inside the engine compartment.
As far as coverage goes, some electric vehicle proponents believe consumers want at least 200 miles so they can avoid the anxiety of whether they are depleted prematurely. I believe the range should be higher than that, maybe not less than 300 miles, but I do run on a fairly impromptu road that requires even more coverage.
My Leaf SL Plus was delivered to my home with a power meter with 77% battery life and a range of 176 miles. I drove it around town for about a day and a half until the battery level dropped to 30% and about 55 miles. I plugged it into the 120-volt outlet in my garage all night to lift the battery.
Even with its improved capacity, Nissan claims that the Plus-type battery has the same physical size as normal. Top speed increased by about 10%, specs show.

The 2022 Plus models also include a 100kW quick-charging system that allows you to charge faster, but you need a high-voltage charging station to use this feature.
It requires the use of a commercial quick charging station instead of “trickle” charging at home that takes 20 or more hours at 120 volts (stage one) or about 11 hours at 240 volts (phase two).
Most Leaf Owners have probably installed Level Two Charging for regular night tops in their homes. The angle of the charging port on the front of the car is designed to connect the charging cable to the user without lowering it.
Plus models come with a color eight-inch dash display and a navigation system that can be linked to a compatible smartphone.
Standard features in the S Plus model include high output quick charge port, 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, regenerative braking system, e-pedal mode with Hill Hold Assist, portable trickle charge cable, automatic emergency braking, automatic on / off headlights Bluetooth hands-free phone system with key, streaming audio, satellite radio, hands-free text messaging assistant, automatic temperature control with HVAC timer (pre-heat / pre-cool cabin), charging timer (desired set charge time), eight-inch Performance, and 60/40 split fold-down rear seat.

The SV Plus models get 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, fog lamps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Nissanconnect with navigation and services, Intelligent Cruise Control and two additional speakers (six in total).
With our SL tester, we’ve got LED headlights and signature daytime running lights, heated exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals, leather seats, eight-way power driver’s seat with two-way lumbar support, heated front seats and steering wheel, cargo cover, rear cover , Universal garage opener, Bose premium audio with seven speakers, Intelligent Around View Monitor, Hybrid Heater, Rear Heater Ducts, Nissan’s Propilat Assist and Electric Parking Brake.
There is room for five passengers and 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat.
Among the other technologies in the new Leaf generation is the e-pedal, which allows a driver to use the same pedal for more than 90 percent of daily driving, including high braking. But a conventional brake pedal should still be used when fast or aggressive braking is required.

With the e-pedal, when the driver removes his foot from the accelerator pedal, the car stops completely without the driver pressing the brake pedal. To enable the e-pedal, the driver must pull the switch back on the center console at the startup. But when the vehicle is shut down it is not active – it defaults to the “off” position.
Of course, if the Leaf’s radar cruise control is active and the driver moves the foot from the accelerator pedal, the e-pedal will not take over and slow down.
Using the e-pedal more often, I find that under most driving conditions, I don’t need to use a real brake pedal. While I can’t see myself, Nissan says the brake lights are turned on when the e-pedal is stopped.
Included in our test vehicle is the Propilot Assist System, which combines radar / adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency forward braking with pedestrian detection, steering assist, Intelligent Lane Intervention, High-Beam Assist and Electric Park Brake.
After activating it, when the button is pressed to the right of the steering wheel, the propilot assist leaf can be focused in its lane on the highway. But even if it can do this, the driver certainly doesn’t want to rely on it. If the driver takes his hands off the steering wheel for more than a few seconds, it will hang.