2016 Nissan LEAF

For the 2016 model year, Nissan LEAF adds a number of significant enhancements – beginning with a new 30 kWh battery for LEAF SV and LEAF SL models that delivers an EPA-estimated driving range of 107 miles* on a fully charged battery. The range of a LEAF S model is 84 miles, giving buyers a choice in affordability and range.

[pullquote align=”left” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]New LEAF offers EPA-estimated driving range of 107 miles[/pullquote]

(a 27-percent increase over the previous 24 kWH battery), improved battery durability and 8-year New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Often when battery capacity is simply increased, the battery’s durability and compatibility with quick chargers may deteriorate. The new 30 kWh battery design adds capacity without increasing battery package size by improving the cell structure of the laminated lithium-ion battery cells. Improved electrode material with revised chemistry results in higher power density and contributes to enhanced battery durability upon charge and discharge.

The battery powers a high-response 80kW AC synchronous motor, rated at 107 horsepower and 187 lb-ft of torque, which drives the front wheels through a single-speed reducer.[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] The 2016 LEAF SV and SL have MPGe ratings of 124 city, 101 highway and 112 combined fuel economy, while LEAF S has MPGe ratings of 126 city, 101 highway and 114 combined.[/pullquote]

LEAF SV and SL grades feature a 6.6 kW onboard charger that, using a 240V outlet, will charge the battery to 100 percent in about six hours. The system is an option on LEAF S, which in standard form utilizes a 3.6 kW onboard charger. All LEAF models come with a standard portable trickle charge cable.

The standard regenerative braking system in LEAF helps increase range. By applying the brakes or reducing speed by letting off the accelerator, the electric motor acts as an electric generator, converting energy that would otherwise be wasted into battery energy. The “B-mode” (standard on all grades) allows the driver to engage an even more aggressive level of regenerative braking while decelerating, such as when going down hills. B-mode is offered in addition to the normal and Eco drive modes.

My dad chuckles every time we ride in his vehicle and while the battery is powering the car, you virtually hear nothing! He shyly repeats to me that there is an “artificial” noise to remind those around that a vehicle is near. The Nissan has incorporated an “Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians” system, which is designed to alert pedestrians that a vehicle is approaching.

LED low-beam headlights, which consume about half of the electricity of halogen headlights, are standard on LEAF SL. Heated outside mirrors are standard on SV and SL grades. In the rear, the slim-type aerodynamic LED taillight design and crisp corners combine with the aerodynamic rear bumper with rear diffuser to manage the aerodynamics of the rear end without compromising rear interior roominess. Nissan LEAF’s coefficient of drag is 0.28.

The roomy Nissan LEAF interior offers a pleasingly modern design with a bright, welcoming atmosphere. The wide, high tech instrument panel design is dominated by a twin combination meter display in front of the driver and a center “floating” C-stack with a 5.0-inch color LCD display (S grade) for use with the standard NissanConnect with Mobile Apps.

The digital “eyebrow” display at the top of the instrument panel provides high visibility for the Eco indicator and speedometer, while the lower liquid crystal meter display houses the percentage style state-of-charge meter, power meter, battery temperature gauge, multi-function display, remaining energy gauge, capacity level gauge and distance-to-empty display.

A 7.0-inch display with multi-touch control is standard on SV and SL grades. The flat panel center C-stack cluster includes the color monitor for the standard RearView Monitor and control of the audio and climate systems, as well as the Around View® Monitor (available on SV and SL).

Standard on SV and SL grades is the Nissan Navigation System with NavTraffic (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately). EV-IT highlights include an “Eco route” feature for the available navigation system that includes suggested power-saving alternative routes, plus Google® local search and iPod® cover art.

The system also displays “reachable area,” as well as showing a selection of nearby charging stations, which is updated with every 12 miles of driving.

The 2016 Nissan LEAF is offered in three well-equipped models, LEAF S, LEAF SV and LEAF SL.

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***Source: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) 2009 National Household Travel Survey (NHTS).