2021 Nissan Leaf Electric

The trim game in the 2021 Nissan Leaf is pretty complex with two configurations. Each of the configurations is branched out again into a few more trim levels. The first configuration features a 40kWh battery pack, available in two trims namely, S and SV. The second configuration has a 62kWh battery pack, offered in three different trims; S Plus, SV Plus and SL Plus. All the five trims come equipped with plenty of standard tech and safety features out of the box.

Features like push-button start, 4-speaker audio system, Height-adjustable driver’s seat, Heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, Heated front seats and outside mirrors are standard across the S and SV trims. Nissan Connect EV with navigation features are standard on the Nissan SV, SV Plus, and SL model lines. The app can display information about your charge levels, trip data, and even help you start the car. These features are not available on the S or S Plus trim levels. 

Which trim should you buy? 

With the Leaf's base models with 149-mile range, commuters may not have any trouble finding parking, but the Leaf Plus' more than 200-mile range may be ideal. So we think that the SV Plus variant with Nissan's ProPilot Assist technology and a more comfortable eight-way power adjustable driver's seat are worth choosing if you think you'll be driving in heavy traffic on a regular basis.

Nissan Leaf is known for being a highly efficient electric vehicle, delivering great range even with its base models. The Nissan could be outdone by other EVs that are more efficient, but it remains a viable choice. Based on Nissan's conversion figures for 2021, the city figures and highway figures are 114 and 94, respectively. A single charge will last about 150 miles on the base models and 226 miles on the plus variants with bigger batteries. 

Among the competition, the Chevrolet Bolt EV has the longest range, promising 259 miles. The 2021 Hyundai Kona, on the other hand, has a similar range of 258 miles per charge. On the whole, if we look at the parameters individually, the 2021 Tesla Model 3 has the best offer for city, highway, and its combined score. 

The interior of the 2021 Nissan Leaf is very well designed with a strong sense of practicality running through it. In spite of its minimal design and plastic material, the dashboard doesn't feel cheap. That being said, no wood-grain or chrome inserts are available, but the cabin overall does not feel cheap either. There is no shifter, but there is a drive mode selector that can be used to switch between advanced and conventional driving modes. With its unique design, the selector expresses the same futuristic quality as the car it is attached to.

The 2021 Nissan Leaf has sufficient seating room that can accommodate 5 occupants on the inside. Legroom and headroom are abundant in the rear and in the front. Despite being an EV, you don't hear the powerful engine roar, leaving you only to hear the sounds of the roadway. Leather and Alcantara are used on the edge of the front seats, which are heated and power-adjustable. Other features like Automatic climate control, Heated Leather Wrapped Steering wheel and heated front seats are standard. 

With a standard cargo area of 23.6 cubic feet, the Nissan Leaf has plenty of space on board for its segment which is more than the Chevrolet Bolt, Tesla Model 3, and Hyundai Kona. Fold down the 60/40 rear seats and the space expands to 30.0 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity. The Tesla Model 3 on the other hand, offers gentle seating space but lacks in the luggage room. 

 Standard interior features of the 2021 Nissan Leaf include:

• Heated Leather Wrapped Steering wheel
• Heated Front Seats
• Cloth upholstery and available leather upholstery
• Manually adjustable front seats
• Automatic climate control
• Push-button start and Proximity keyless entry
• Rear door alert
• Blind-spot monitoring
• 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat in SL Plus trim

How intuitive is the 2021 Nissan Leaf’s Infotainment System?

The 2021 Nissan Leaf boasts an ample set of infotainment features to keep you entertained. There is an 8" infotainment screen on all trim levels of the 2021 Leaf. Also standard across the trim ladder are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite not being particularly pleasing to the eye, Nissan Connect's latest interface responds to inputs quickly and intuitively.All the base trims feature four-speaker and six-speaker audio systems while the top of the line trim comes with Bose Premium Audio, featuring seven speakers, resulting in a very vibrant and rich sound. 

All the standard Infotainment features are listed below:

• 8-inch color touchscreen with NissanConnect
• AppleCarplay and Android Auto compatibility
• 4 USB ports
• 4-speaker/6-speaker audio system and Bose premium audio system on SL Plus trim
• Voice recognition
• Satellite radio
• Bluetooth connectivity

The body design of the Nissan Leaf is uniform in its simplicity. The style is reminiscent of a pod with no sharp edges and virtually no surface features—a look enhanced by the car's low-slung, sleek silhouette. The car's design was inspired by Nissan Motor's "clean sheet" strategy from its roots, as well as studies of zero-emission vehicles around the world. Clean, geometric lines flow through every part of the vehicle—from the nose to the tip of the high-tech spoiler at the rear.

It looks like a typical car with some sporty flair, except for the "zero emissions" badge on the lower part of the front door. There is a deeper V-shaped grille like on other Nissans in this second generation, as well as a blacked-out rear trim panel that gives the roof a floating appearance. The non-plus variants sport 16-inch wheels while the Plus trims boast 17-inch alloy wheels. As standard, LED taillights, heated outside mirrors, LED Headlights with DRLs and fog lights appear across all the five variants.

With a mass of 3.909 lbs, the Nissan Leaf is the heaviest of the above cars, and its dimensions are similar to those of the Chevy Bolt and Hyundai Kona except for the length. As the longest and lightest of the above cars, the Tesla Model 3 also possess the longest wheelbase amongst the competitors. 

Some standout exterior features of the Nissan Leaf include:

• Chrome V-motion grille
• LED Headlights with DRLs
• Fog Lights
• 16/17-inch steel/alloy wheels
• Rear spoiler
• Rear parking sensors
• Automatic high-beam headlights
• Heated outside mirrors

While the 2021 Nissan Leaf hasn’t been tested by either of the testing agencies, we have the ratings of the 2020 Model that bagged an overall rating of 5-star. A wide range of driver-assistance and safety features come standard inside the Nissan Leaf. Despite the fact Nissan Safety Shield 360 features are well known, the safety suite of the Leaf goes much further. A new version of Nissan's safety features is included as standard: Nissan Intelligent Mobility. Apart from these, it comes standard with other features like Lane Keep assist, Pedestrian detection and Blind-spot monitoring. 

Standard and available safety features include:

• Lane keep assist
• Lane departure warning
• Pedestrian detection
• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Automatic emergency braking system
• Forward collision detection/warning system
• Rear parking sensors
• Available Adaptive cruise control
• Available ProPilot Assist
• Available Surround-view parking camera system
• Available Driver attention alert

2021 Nissan Leaf vs 2021 Tesla Model 3

The Nissan Leaf and the Tesla Model 3 are both popular electric cars, but they have different benefits. The Nissan Leaf is among the least expensive cars in its class, and it has a range of 226 miles on a single charge that’s comparable to many competitors. It lacks some of the bells and whistles that come standard on more expensive models, though. The Tesla Model 3 has a range of 250 miles, allowing it to drive farther than other electric vehicles.However, Tesla’s luxury coach and more battery options are more expensive than those of Nissan. You’ll have to decide which one you value most.

2021 Nissan Leaf vs 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV

If you're in the market for a sleek and stylish midsize luxury sedan, you should definitely consider the 2021 Audi A6 which is a direct competitor for Jaguar XF. It's an attractive vehicle due to its design, performance, and luxury value. In terms of performance, the Audi's numbers are better than the Jaguar's, but it doesn't have all that much more technology as standard on board. The Audi has something called Virtual Cockpit 2. This mode gives drivers a customizable dashboard that can be modified any way they choose and provides them with a fully digital view ahead while driving. This is so much easier to use than the Jag, which needs drivers to revert back and forth between windshields or opt for a head-up display in some cases.

2021 Nissan Leaf vs 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric

EVs penetrating the automotive market have been spearheaded by the Nissan Leaf since its inception. But the Hyundai Kona Electric has made a decent mark with class-leading range ever since its introduction. From the past few years, Hyundai has perfected this formula, making the 2020 model seem like a more than adequate replacement for a conventional hatchback. The Leaf surely lacks behind in features, power and range, however, it’s the most affordable and value for money option available in the compact EV segment. 

2021 Nissan Leaf electric is one of the most popular electric hatchbacks on the market. Considering the Leaf's mpg figure and a host of tech and safety features, it turns out to be an excellent value proposition. Designed to survive, the Nissan Leaf is among the best options to choose if you're looking for a greener alternative to mobility at an affordable price. However, if you’re looking for an EV with dynamic styling and exceptional performance, the Tesla Model 3 would be the right choice.