The Nissan Leaf has been around since 2010. But thanks in part to a 2018 redesign and a refresh just last year, this front-wheel-drive EV feels contemporary and drives much like a conventional car, one that’s remarkably quiet and blessed with a roomy back seat and a handy hatchback design.
Little has changed for 2024 with one exception: Nissan now enhances the Leaf ownership experience with EV Carefree+, a package that includes complimentary scheduled maintenance, free charging at EVgo high-speed chargers, EV Battery Health Assurance, and EV Roadside Assistance.
The Tennessee-built Nissan Leaf remains one of the most affordable EVs.
It continues to be available in two trim levels. The Nissan Leaf S, with a 40-kWh battery, has a range of 149 miles. The Nissan Leaf SV Plus, with a 60-kWh battery, has a range of 212 miles.
Using the 6.6-kW onboard charger and 240V current at home, the Leaf battery, integrated into the chassis floor, can be fully charged in 7.5 hours (Leaf S) or about 11 hours (Leaf SV Plus). At a public DC fast-charging station, the battery can be quick-charged to 80% in 40 minutes (Leaf S) or 60 minutes (Leaf SV Plus).
Competitors for the 5-seat Leaf EV include the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV, the Hyundai Kona Electric, the Kia Niro EV, and maybe even the Tesla Model 3. Apart from the soon-to-be-discontinued Chevrolet models, all of these start at higher prices than the 2024 Nissan Leaf.
Note: Under current rules, the Nissan Leaf does not qualify for a federal tax credit. But if you lease the Leaf, it actually qualifies for a credit because the IRS considers leased vehicles commercial sales.
Prices provided are current at the time of publishing.
What’s New:
The 2024 Nissan Leaf now comes with EV Carefree+, a package designed to make EV ownership a more positive and stress-free experience. Beyond complimentary maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles, it includes free charging at EVgo high-speed chargers, a battery health inspection, and 24/7 roadside assistance that allows towing to the nearest Nissan dealership, charging location, or owner residence.
Our Recommendation:
If all our driving were local errand-running, we might choose the Nissan Leaf S with the 149-mile range because it’s about $8,000 less expensive than the SV Plus though still pretty well equipped. But the SV Plus — with its added range and features like Nissan Connect, ProPilot Assist, adaptive cruise control, navigation, heated seats, and Nissan’s Intelligent AroundView Monitor — is impossible to ignore if it fits within your budget.
Leaf S
Starting at $28,140 | See listings
- 40-kWh battery, 149 miles of range
- Digital gauges, 8-inch touchscreen
- 16-inch steel wheels
- Automatic headlights with high-beam assist
- 60/40 folding rear seat
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- One-pedal driving
- Automatic emergency braking
- Manual parking brake
- See more
Leaf SV Plus
Starting at $36,190 | See listings
- 60-kWh battery, 212 miles of range
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Adaptive cruise control
- LED headlights, daytime running lights
- 8-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats
- 6-speaker audio system
- ProPilot Assist
- NissanConnect with navigation
- Intelligent AroundView Monitor
- Heated outside mirrors
- Electronic parking brake
- See more
2024 Nissan Leaf S: $28,140
The 2024 Nissan Leaf S is an inexpensive but rather basic entry into the world of EVs. However, its range of only 149 miles is far from great.
That’s directly related to the size of its battery. Its 40-kWh lithium-ion battery is on the small side, powering a 110-kWh electric motor that sends 147 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. Thus equipped, the Leaf S feels poised and relaxed, though lacking the range (and blistering quickness) some of its competitors possess.
One innovative Leaf feature is the e-Pedal, which allows one-pedal driving. Using only the accelerator pedal (pressing it to go, letting it up to slow or stop), the Leaf driver can drive all day without having to use the brake pedal. While learning how to be smooth in one-pedal driving takes a while, it’s said to lessen stress in stop-and-go traffic.
Although it’s an entry-level model, the 2024 Nissan Leaf S comes reasonably well-equipped. Automatic halogen headlights are standard, along with 16-inch steel wheels, power side mirrors, and a locking charge port with a light.
Inside, black cloth covers the seats. Manual front seats, as are a 60/40-split folding rear seat, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, SiriusXM radio, and a digital instrument panel, are standard. The Leaf S also has four USB ports and a 4-speaker AM/FM audio system.
Standard convenience features include power windows with driver one-touch up/down, power door locks with auto-locking feature, single-zone automatic climate control, and Nissan’s Intelligent Key proximity key fob with push-button start.
Other welcome features are a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, and sliding sun-visor extensions.
Nissan equips the Leaf S with generous standard driver-assist systems. These include a forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist.
Other assist features include reverse automatic braking, rear parking sensors, automatic high-beam headlights, hill-start assist, and Nissan’s Rear Door Alert, which reminds the Leaf S driver to check the back seat for people or pets.
With the $1,095 destination charge, the 2024 Nissan Leaf S costs $29,235. On a 60-month loan with 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment will be $552. See 2024 Nissan Leaf S models for sale near you.
2024 Nissan Leaf S includes:
- Intelligent Key – As long as the key fob is in your pocket or purse, you can unlock the Leaf by simply touching a button on the door handle. Once inside, simply push a button to activate the electric motor.
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – Access your smartphone’s apps, navigation, message, and music via the Leaf’s handy 8-inch infotainment touchscreen.
- e-Pedal driving – After a bit, you may find you’re a smoother driver using the e-Pedal, which lets you control the Leaf solely by pressing and releasing the accelerator pedal.
2024 Nissan Leaf SV Plus: $36,190
If you want more features and need to go farther on a single charge, get the Leaf SV Plus. Although it doesn’t have quite the range of competitors like the Chevy Bolt and the Hyundai Kona Electric, this Nissan’s 212-mile range will satisfy many EV buyers.
The SV Plus has a 620-kWh battery and a 160-kWh electric motor that sends 214 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. It’s a bit quicker than the S but only has an additional 14 lb-ft of torque.
Beyond the extra power and range, what else do you get for the extra $8,050?
Quite a bit more standard equipment. In addition to heated side mirrors and 17-inch alloy wheels, you get LED headlights, fog lights, and daytime running lights, plus a heat pump that quickly warms this Leaf’s cabin on cold mornings. The SV Plus also comes with an 8-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a driver-alertness monitor. Add to that an electronic parking brake and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
You also get GPS navigation in the SV Plus and NissanConnect EV services. The latter allows you remotely monitor the battery’s state of charge and check the charging status via an app on your smartphone. A 6-speaker audio system and a 3-month trial to SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link also come standard.
Perhaps most importantly, the 2024 Nissan Leaf SV Plus also comes with standard ProPilot Assist. This semi-autonomous highway driving program blends adaptive cruise control with steering assist to help you motor down the highway safely, even coming to a complete stop if necessary. Also worthy of praise is the standard 360-degree Around View monitor, which is a big help when negotiating tight driveways and parking garages.
Unfortunately, leather upholstery, a power sunroof, or a premium audio system are unavailable on this top Nissan Leaf trim configuration.
With the $1,095 destination charge, the 2024 Nissan Leaf SV Plus costs $37,285. On a 60-month loan with 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to $704. See the 2024 Nissan Leaf SV Plus models for sale near you.
2024 Nissan Leaf SV Plus includes:
- LED lights – These LED headlights, fog lights, and daytime running lights are bright but consume much less energy than standard bulbs.
- NissanConnect EV telematics – With an app on your smartphone, you can keep track of your battery’s state of charge or its current charging status. Very handy. You can preheat or cool the cabin with the HVAC timer before driving this Leaf.
- ProPilot Assist – This hands-on driver-assist suite combines lane-keep assist with adaptive cruise control so the Leaf maintains a safe distance between itself and the car ahead. The Leaf will stay in its lane and slow or accelerate as traffic allows.
