2016 Nissan Leaf Electric

The 2016 Nissan is available in three trim levels S, SV, and SL. The four-door hatchback offers standard features such as a 3.6 kW onboard charger, 16-inch steel wheels, keyless ignition, etc. The Nissan Leaf comes with a highly updated and efficient infotainment system consisting of Bluetooth connection, audio connectivity, USB ports, and a four-speaker sound system. The entry-level 2016 Nissan Leaf S has a base price starting from $29,010, stepping up to $34,200 for mid-level SV, and $36,790 for the top-end SL model.

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The all-electric powertrain of the Nissan Leaf, with heated front seats and a classic long driving range, with a new 30 kWh battery pack can give strong competition to any vehicle. However, if one favors high-quality features, the SV trim is favorable. Moreover, the SV trim is also available in the Premium package, which includes a 360-degree camera, etc, which impresses people quite a lot. Shell out some extra cash, and go for this combination. 

The 2016 Nissan Leaf is backed up with an 80 kW electric motor, offering 107 horsepower and 187 pound-feet of torque. The system takes power from a lithium-ion battery pack. As the car is reliant on electric energy, the car has a 240V power source and works with a 6.6 kW charging architecture, which can recharge a depleted battery in 5 hours. While the powertrain is efficient, it is nothing close to athletic. 

Power delivery is fairly slow, even for an electric vehicle. The Leaf hesitates on highways, and is best driven at moderate speeds within the city. Regenerative braking also doesn’t feel particularly intuitive, but the mechanical brakes work well. Comparing the competition, the Chevrolet Bolt EV manages to deliver the highest power output, while the Nissan Leaf falls on the underpowered end of the horspower chart. 

The 2016 model year Nissan Leaf sets quite high standards in terms of fuel efficiency. The Leaf actually ends up providing an affordable alternative to several gasoline based cars in the market. It also has the distinction of the highest-volume electric car manufactured till date, which further says a lot about how efficiently it drives. The efficiency of the vehicle was rated by the EPA with its 84-mile range at 114 MPGe. The larger battery packs of SV and SL at 107 miles of range stretches to about 112 MPGe. Additionally, the 2016 Nissan Leaf can be charged in as quickly as 5 hours, even using a fairly basic 240V outlet. 

Comparing the competition, the Chevrolet Bolt EV offers the highest combined MPGe figures among the cars in the lot. The 2016 Nissan Leaf comes close with its figures, but misses out by a slim margin. On the other end of the fuel economy spectrum, the 2016 Ford Focus EV falls at the bottom of the ladder with a highway MPGe of just 99. The Volkswagen e-Golf slots somewhere in between, offering balanced fuel economy and power. 

The battery pack of the 2016 Nissan Leaf is located beneath the front seats. This provides for the comfortability of the cabin members and makes it suitable for people of variable heights. There is no insufficiency of space in the headroom in the first row, though it is a bit difficult for taller drivers to adjust to the steering wheel. The interior is extremely pleasant, giving it a classy look, but the materials used in the interior and trim do not live up to the expectations. Emphasis was laid more on the modern designs of technology, that would reinforce its high tech facilities. Cargo space is quite sufficient behind the rear seats (24 cubic feet). Folding the seats flat increases the cargo space.

The seating capacity includes that of 5 members. The Leaf is spacious and the drivers have a great deal of comfortability driving it. The rear seats also have enough legroom space and are quite convenient for the seating of all passengers. Comparing the competition, the Nissan Leaf offers the most room in the front row, while the 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf has the most second row room to offer. The e-Golf also offers the highest cargo capacity. Some highlight interior features offered with the 2016 Nissan Leaf include:

• Heated Front and Rear Seats.
• Leather Seats (SL Trim).
• Heated Leather Steering Wheel.
• 60/40 Split Fold Rear Seats.
• Automatic Air Conditioning.
• Front Cup Holders. 
• 6-way Manual Adjustable Driver’s Seat.
• 4-way Manually Adjustable Passenger’s Seat.

2016 Nissan Leaf Infotainment

The 2016 Nissan leaf is offered with several basic infotainment features to keep you entertained throughout your trip. The Nissan Leaf comes with a decent 7.0-inch infotainment screen, which features several apps and settings to play with. There’s Bluetooth Audio Streaming on offer, along with Aux and USB support to plug in your device. Nissan offers a basic 4-speaker sound system with the Leaf, but opting for higher trims fetches you a compelling Bose 6-Speaker audio system. Some other key infotainment features offered with the 2016 Nissan Leaf include: 

• 7.0-inch Infotainment Screen. 
• NissanConnectSM. 
• 4-Speaker Sound System.
• 6-Speaker Bose Audio (SL Trim).
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio. 
• USB and Aux Support. 
• Steering-Wheel Mounted Controls. 
• Bluetooth Audio Streaming. 

The exterior of the 2016 Nissan Leaf bears a magnificent look with nice shiny driving lights. The headlight is of halogen type, and you also get heated side mirrors. The door handles have a chrome color in it and consist of a charge port with light and lock. A rear window defroster also prevents the collection of fog in the back windows. The overall look of the Nissan Leaf is futuristic, yet relatable. The Leaf makes a tasteful departure from the otherwise monotonous design theme of the Nissan Lineup. While some may find the Leaf’s aesthetics as odd and over-the-top, we think the design is rather elegant and tasteful.

Comparing the competition, the Ford Focus Electric measures the heaviest among the cars in this comparison. The Nissan Leaf measures the longest, while Ford Focus Electric stands the wodist in the lot. The Chevrolet Bolt EV boasts the greatest height, while the Nissan Leaf comes with relatively higher ground clearance. The Ford comes with the longest wheelbase, while that offered by the Bolt EV measures the shortest. Some highlight exterior features offered with the 2016 Nissan Leaf include:

• Aerodynamic Headlights. 
• Xenon High-Beams. 
• Integrated Fog Lamps. 
• Body-Color Bumpers. 
• Chrome Door Handles. 
• Aerodynamic Underbody + Rear Diffuser. 
• Heated Side Mirrors.
• Front UV-Filtering Solar Glass.
• Rear Lip Spoiler. 

The 2016 Nissan Leaf can be classified as a fairly safe electric vehicle. The 2016 model year Leaf has received a respectable 4-Star Safety Rating from the NHTSA, along with a “Good” score by the IIHS under critical categories. The Leaf comes equipped with some compelling active and safety features, and boasts an impressive 0 to 60 MPH braking distance of 122 feet. Some key safety features offered with the 2016 Nissan Leaf include:

• Dual Stage Frontal Airbags. 
• Side Curtain Airbags. 
• Traction Control System. 
• ABS and ESP. 
• Front Seatbelt Pretensioners. 
• LATCH Anchors. 
• Occupant Sensors. 
• Side Impact Beams. 

Though it's no Tesla Model S, the 2016 Nissan Leaf does stand out from its competitors in terms of affordability among other electric cars in this segment. An efficient battery pack with equally good mileage and power will always remain the Nissan Leaf’s key USP, and could soon pave the way for the second generation model. The Nissan Leaf also boasts excellent seating comfort, noise isolation and cargo space, establishing itself as a competent weekend-getaway vehicle as well. We highly recommend considering it for your next purchase.