First Look Review: The 2024 Nissan Leaf is among the hatchback’s final model years

Update: ‘Price & Release Date’ and ‘Future of the Nissan Leaf nameplate’ sections revised.

Introduced in September 2017, the second-generation Nissan Leaf received its much-needed facelift with the 2023 model year update in April of 2022. The 2024 Nissan Leaf, recently introduced in the U.S. market, is a carryover model. At the Los Angeles Auto Show 2023, I spent some time experiencing the familiar model, and here are my observations.

Design & Interior

As stated at the beginning of the story, Nissan revised the Leaf’s design just last year, and it has carried forward the same into MY2024. It’s unlikely that the company will make another significant investment to change the exterior panels of this hatchback, as a next-gen Leaf, with a crossover-inspired design, is set to take its place around 2025.

The exterior changes Nissan brought to the Leaf with the mid-cycle refresh in 2022 include a new closed grille without a V-shaped chrome strip, a new, illuminated Nissan logo, headlights featuring a new black inner finisher, and more aerodynamic tire deflectors, rear under diffuser, and rear spoiler. The most noticeable exterior change was the new 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, which I think makes it look quite sporty.

Inside, apart from a new start-up video and the new Nissan logo, the Leaf gained no changes with the mid-life update, and it is expected to remain in its current form until its successor arrives on the market in a couple of years. The electric hatchback offers ample space to be the second car in the garage, and is ideal for trips around town.

Specifications

The 2024 Nissan Leaf comes with 40 kWh and 60 kWh battery packs. The standard-range variant has a low-output motor producing 147 hp and 236 lb.-ft. of torque. It supports charging at up to 50 kW and deliver an EPA-est. range of 149 miles.

The extended-range variant packs a high-output motor generating 214 hp and 250 lb.-ft. of torque. It allows charging at up to 100 kW and deliver an EPA-est. range of 212 miles.

Aspect	2024 Nissan Leaf Standard Range Specification	2024 Nissan Leaf Extended Range Specification
Motor Power	147 hp	214 hp
Motor Torque	236 lb.-ft.	250 lb.-ft.
Battery Pack	40 kWh lithium-ion (192 cells)	60 kWh lithium-ion (288 cells)
EPA-est. Range	149 miles	212 miles
AC Charging Capacity	6.6 kW	6.6 kW
DC Charging Capacity	50 kW	100 kW
Fast-charging Time (to 80% SoC)	40 minutes	60 minutes
Wheels	16-inch steel (with full wheel covers)	17-inch alloy
Tires	All-season 205/55R16 Bridgestone Ecopia	All-season 215/50R17 Michelin Energy Saver

Features

The 2024 Leaf is available in the U.S. in the same two grades as the previous model year – S and SV Plus. An 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, 60/40 split rear seat, fast-charging, automatic headlights, Nissan Safety Shield 360, Rear Door Alert, are some of the standard features.

The SV Plus grade, complementing the bigger battery pack, more powerful motor, and a higher-output fast-charging port (100 kW), gets more kit such as LED headlights, LED DRLs, 17-inch alloy wheels, 8-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat with 2-way lumbar support, Nissan Door to Door Navigation, and much more. It’s better in terms of safety, too, including ProPILOT Assist, 360-degree camera system, steering assist, Intelligent Cruise Control with Full Speed Range and Hold, and Intelligent Driver Alertness.

Both grades have cloth upholstery. The S grade features gray finishers, while the SV Plus gets black finishers for a more premium styling.

Price & Release date

The 2024 Nissan Leaf is now on sale in the U.S., priced at USD 28,140 for the S variant, and at USD 36,190 for the SV Plus variant. The Leaf has also lost its $7,500 tax credit eligibility, after new battery sourcing rules took effect on January 1, 2024.

Future of the Nissan Leaf nameplate

The Nissan Leaf has struggled to break into the U.S. market, initially because the country wasn’t ready for EVs and later because competitors were just better. In 2022, Nissan delivered 12,025 units of the Leaf in the U.S. Compared to 2021, that was a decline of 15.5%. In 2023, the decline saw Nissan delivering just 7,152 units of the EV, a 40.5% YoY reduction.

Nissan plans to launch a successor that accords well with the needs of EV buyers, three people aware of the development have told Automotive News. The Nissan Chill-Out concept (pictured below) should inspire an electric SUV-coupe to replace the hatch. Whatever the case, the Nissan Leaf successor would be cheaper than the Ariya, with features, range, and design comparable to the next-generation EVs.

In a more recent Automotive News report, Nissan’s U.S. dealers were shown the Leaf’s successor in an early preview. Described by one dealer as a “mini Ariya,” the car will reportedly have 25% more range than today’s hatchback (works out to 265 miles).

In July 2021, Nissan announced plans to build a new EV crossover at its UK plant in Sunderland starting in 2025. Nissan Europe CEO, Guillaume Cartier, suggested to Autocar that the crossover EV will replace the Leaf. What promised to be a game-changing car for Nissan could be in its final model year with the next update.

TopElectricSUV says

The Leaf may not be the most high-tech or powerful electric car on the market, but it offers an affordable entry point into the EV category. While its range is limited, it’s practical for city driving. In a market where most EVs are becoming increasingly expensive due to their advanced digital features and high demand for computer chips, I feel that the humble Leaf is a welcome option for budget-conscious customers looking to enter the realm of EV ownership or add a second vehicle to their garage.

2024 Nissan Leaf FAQs

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