Nissan Leaf: 2018 Motor Trend Car of the Year Contender

We Like: Attractive design, superb semi-autonomous driving option, killer pricing

We Don’t Like: Borderline range improvement, CHAdeMO fast-charging plug

Although electric vehicle historians will inevitably point to GM’s EV1 as the dawn of the modern electric car, its real origin—at least as far as the mass public is concerned—was the appearance of the original Nissan Leaf in 2011. It’s the best-selling electric vehicle in history (with roughly 115,000 sold in America since day one). All of which has created a hushed anticipation for its follow-up, this second-generation Leaf (particularly in light of the 238-mile Chevrolet Bolt EV, which grabbed last year’s COTY Calipers).

So when the car’s specs were recently released, one number among them eclipsed everything else. It’s range: 150 miles from its 40-kW-hr battery. (A 60 is expected next year.) Back in the BB-era (Before Bolt), this would have ignited celebrations.

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Now, we question if it’s enough. Nissan has fortified the Leaf’s defense with an excellent styling update, more power, much better steering quality, and its amazing ProPilot Assist option (think single-lane Tesla Autopilot–like capabilities for $2,200).

The new Leaf delivers a supple ride and a focus on tech that makes driving easier. Its e-Pedal is its prime example—a high-regen, hill-holding, one-pedal solution that could eliminate 90 percent of brake pedal use in real-world driving, Nissan says.

Still, the car failed to generate much enthusiasm. But the Leaf’s fall seems to come from Nissan’s decision to retain the original car’s platform. Observed Christian Seabaugh: “In ride and handling, the Leaf rolls and flops way too much through corners, and the ride is just generally too soft.”

2018 Nissan Leaf SL
BASE PRICE	$36,853
PRICE AS TESTED	$37,738
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Front-engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door hatchback
ENGINE	0.0L/147-hp/236-lb-ft
TRANSMISSION	1-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST)	3,503 lb (58/42%)
WHEELBASE	106.3 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	176.4 x 70.5 x 61.4 in
0-60 MPH	7.5 sec
QUARTER MILE	15.8 sec @ 87.6 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	129 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	0.76 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT	27.9 sec @ 0.61 g (avg)

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