Photo: Nissan
As we all know, the Nissan LEAF is the world's best-sold EV - which, if anything, says something about the quality of the mass-market electric cars so far. Since it was introduced in 2010, the Japanese battery-powered hatchback sold in over 240,000 units worldwide.
But take a look at that number, think about the six years that have passed since the LEAF's launch and then remember how many reservations Tesla's Model 3 had gathered in just two weeks back in April this year. That's right, all Tesla needs to do to kick LEAF off of its throne is actually go ahead and build those 400,000 cars. If its production capability is up to par, it shouldn't take more than a year and a half.
But the LEAF has bigger, more urgent things to worry about. The Japanese car is about to receive another competitor, and this one is also coming from a traditional manufacturer. Yes, we're talking about GM's Chevrolet Bolt with its 236 miles maximum range and similarly shaped body. However, until the first delivery of the Bolt takes place, the Nissan can still brag with "the best-in-class range."
That's 155 miles (250 kilometers), in case you were wondering, obtained from a 30 kWh battery pack available across all three trim levels - S, SV, and SL. Nissan offers a limited warranty for eight years or 100.000 miles (whichever comes first) for any manufacturing faults on the battery, but also against capacity loss.
For the 2017 model year, the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices start off with $30,680 for the S model, climb to $34,200 for the SV trim level, and go as high as $36,790 for the top SL version. Destination and handling for all three costs $865.
As a reminder, the Nissan LEAF is powered by an 80 kW electric motor capable of developing 107 hp and 187 lb-ft (254 Nm) of torque. As you'd expect, at 3,549 lbs (1,610 kg), the LEAF isn't exactly sprightly, needing 11.6 seconds to reach 62 mph (100 km/h) form a standstill and topping off at 90 mph (144 km/h).
All this combined don't make a very good case for the 2017 Nissan LEAF, as you'd be much better waiting for either the Chevrolet Bolt, Tesla's Model 3 or, if it has to be a Nissan, for the next-gen LEAF.
But the LEAF has bigger, more urgent things to worry about. The Japanese car is about to receive another competitor, and this one is also coming from a traditional manufacturer. Yes, we're talking about GM's Chevrolet Bolt with its 236 miles maximum range and similarly shaped body. However, until the first delivery of the Bolt takes place, the Nissan can still brag with "the best-in-class range."
That's 155 miles (250 kilometers), in case you were wondering, obtained from a 30 kWh battery pack available across all three trim levels - S, SV, and SL. Nissan offers a limited warranty for eight years or 100.000 miles (whichever comes first) for any manufacturing faults on the battery, but also against capacity loss.
For the 2017 model year, the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices start off with $30,680 for the S model, climb to $34,200 for the SV trim level, and go as high as $36,790 for the top SL version. Destination and handling for all three costs $865.
As a reminder, the Nissan LEAF is powered by an 80 kW electric motor capable of developing 107 hp and 187 lb-ft (254 Nm) of torque. As you'd expect, at 3,549 lbs (1,610 kg), the LEAF isn't exactly sprightly, needing 11.6 seconds to reach 62 mph (100 km/h) form a standstill and topping off at 90 mph (144 km/h).
All this combined don't make a very good case for the 2017 Nissan LEAF, as you'd be much better waiting for either the Chevrolet Bolt, Tesla's Model 3 or, if it has to be a Nissan, for the next-gen LEAF.
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