Good review. I've been driving my 2011 Leaf going on 7 years . This leaf is used for business and replaced a Honda Element, this is the first car I've ever owned that will actually pay for it self since I'm not wasting any money on fuel or maintenance. At 5 yrs I took the Leaf to the dealer for maintenance and they put a new battery in it at no charge because it tested bad and was under warranty, they said the new battery had a 5 year warranty on it so I decided to keep the car and drive it another five years. I saw in the comments that people would remove the A/C out of the car, I live in Florida and use the A/C almost every day when its hot. The daily route I run is usually only 55 miles a day which this car will do easily. The car isn't for everyone, I didn't buy the car to impress anyone so I don't care what it looks like .
All the leaf videos I've watched; your the only one who showed underneath the car. Very well done. Eight years later I'm wondering if you still have it and your feelings on it. Thanks again
that's the best review i have ever see, not only the real experience from real owner, but also the video made, camera placing, speaking style, and tips for the real world operation, fantastic job!!!! Thank you so much! I am going to order one 2019 e plus version, this video helps a loooooooot !!!!!!!!!!
A very informative and well produced video review. This is better than reviews by a lot of so called experts , because you include your actual real world use. I'll check TH-cam for any updates to see how your battery held up over the years. Thank you 😊
The most professional and well thought out video I've ever seen on you tube. I test drove the leaf and was amazed that it felt and behaved like a conventional car. I believe the batteries will continue to improve, and soon range will double. Nice job on the video.
Very genuine review! Thank you very much! I am Brazilian who works with science and i am happy EVs are getting stronger in the market. Sao Paulo has recently got its first Eletric taxis and the concept is penetrating social dogmas! Thank you very much!
You know the Marketing guys at Nissan are drooling over this video of yours. They just can't buy this kind of unsolicited review and the value on the implicit endorsement. I love the practical, real-world review, too. Very well done, Bob & Karen!
I love you guys. Personally I just thing you guys did a much better and detailed "infoview" and infomercial than the professional auto reviewers online. I'm also a Prius owner and looking for an all EV as 2nd car. I think I might just do the same successful formula as you. Thanks much for your insight. Blue Thumb Up!
Great video. Question... Did the DC fast charging port come standard on your vehicle or was it an upgrade you paid for? In your video, you mentioned that you don't use it and opt for conventional charging which takes longer. Thanks !
Nice review of the Leaf! I am a car salesman for Fred Beans Nissan in Limrick PA and a Leaf Owner. Your video nails the most important features of the car... Nice Job!
Awesome video! I recently took purchase of a used 2014 Leaf with only about 24,100 miles on it. I believe it was quite the bargain considering the dealer here in Medford, Oregon sold it to me for $7,000!
The 2014 Nissan Leaf still had all 12 bars and I have gotten anywhere from 72 to 92 miles on the gues mmeter. Now at about 25,300 miles still with 12 bars. Been cold here in Southern Oregon, so I still have yet to experience better overall range. Car works great!
We just picked up our 2 new Nissan LEAFs from the dealer last Thursday and love them. They are very sleek and like the S model with the Upgraded Charging system. We definitely get looks from people driving around town, especially when we pull up to a traffic light or stop signal. However Bob, I would highly suggest that you only charge your vehicle to 80% and not to 100%. I have a friend who is one of the original EV developers in the USA and he advises against charging to 100% unless absolutely necessary. Charging to 100% will cause premature battery EOL, read about it further on the Nissan LEAF owners blog sites.
Very nice video and review..I just got my Leaf 2013 yesterday.It was just a little hassle at the dealer,they don't know anything about this awesome car,that's very sad,but I do,so I'm happy..if USA dealers finally will educate themselfs,it will be much better ambient to buy leaf..it's just $$$$ nothing else.I encourage people just close your eyes,try to get the best deal,because this car is treasure and it is loaded !! You won't go wrong..
considering getting an older leaf.. How is it years later? I am guessing if I buy a cheap older one I may have to eventually have the batteries replaced but curious how she held up
Thanks bob, the first car i bought in my life was a Prius and im thinking of switching to a full EV car and this seems the way to go! thanks for all the insight and showing everything in the car.
Yeah, we have the Prius and the Leaf... perfect complement. Problem is, the Leaf makes the Prius fell like a truck. It is SO much more refined and smooth. Enjoy!
Great review! I am thinking of purchasing one myself. I live in a major metropolitan area but do drive a quite a bit during the day. Therefore, I do have range anxiety. But I am still so excited to buy one! Thanks for this wonderful review!
As a Leaf owner myself you've both covered this very well. Better than all the Nissan attempts... More people need to look at this car. For the majority of 2 car families it works.
Thanks for the insight (ha!). Great to see how the Leaf works in the real world. Very informative video. No rebates in Australia so the Leaf is AU$46k or ~50% more than Prius so only early adopters with deep pockets over here!
Great job guys. I've got a new dream car now, thanks to you. Can you post more videos like one of a long trip, tire wear, passenger capacity, uphill capabilities... Keep it up!
Detailed and enthusiastic review. But what about the negative side of the car, the things that you didn't like or had problem with? I heard the battery had some problem. Did you have that?
Wow, I was watching this video out of interest, and when you mentioned the summer time temperatures, I thought, "That sounds just like Arkansas." And then I saw your map, and it looks like you guys are around Hot Springs, where I'm originally from! I'm shocked that there are electric charging stations in Arkansas. It's super awesome to see forward thinking folks in Arkansas! I recently relocated to Portland, Oregon, in October, and I've been researching electric cars.
Hey Bob, I leased a 2013 Leaf after seeing your video three years ago. I have since bought the same one. I love it! I have 33000 miles one it and it's going strong. No loss of battery. Do you still have yours and if you do, how about making a new video on driving your Leaf for 4 + years?
Good idea! Now, people can buy a used Leaf for $10K and get a SUPER electric car. The Tesla is even better, but at triple the price for the cheap one. The Leaf makes our Prius feel like a truck.
Bob, I just test drove a Nissan Leaf SL with 33000 miles for 10K! But it is already missing 3 capacity bars. What do you recommend? I have never owned an electric vehicle, Im not sure if that is normal.
Tanner Beverley now pricing from below USD$4000 on autotrader.com though they are probably ones with more severe battery degradation. For those in the US, it’d be hard not to buy as a toy as that’s nearing the price of a new iPhone 📱
My electric bill has gone up by $50 per month. That too because I have opted for a slightly higher electric rate for 100% Wind Power option. I charge my LEAF every night for about 4.5 hours at 240v 13 amps. I drive about 60 miles everyday. My commute alone is 45 miles roundtrip.
Hi- Yes, we are now facing the winter and we have some strategies for keeping warm. We've seen that down to 38F, we are comfortable in the car during the day with sweaters on. The seat heaters etc. really work well. Daytime, the car has a significant greenhouse effect and stays warm inside by itself if parked in lit areas. If left out in the driveway prior to driving, it warms up well. Since the current batteries don't like temps under freezing, we will use our Prius.You can use a small..NEXT>:
Hi, Thanks for the Review. 4/3/17 I pick up a 2017 SV Leaf and I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I am a Uber/Lyft driver and worried about getting to charging stations. I am going to install one at my house. I am 5 model yrs ahead, do you think they have improved over all? I got the middle version . Thanks for any feedback you can offer. PS I live in Florida and I need AC on the cooler side. Bill M
the best review on this car!! nice work both of you, thank you for taking you time doing this video, I love this car been 100% electric, I would love to buy this car but the only problem for me is the distance, wish could go more the 100 miles more for a single charge, you are very smart couple having you own solar panel to charge the car (sweet) that's what you call saving money! but if you do it from home you save a little not much as the solar panel.
Hi, I am a LEAF Owner from Germany and I love this car - it's the best car I ever had. My solar panels produce enough energy for more than 30.000 miles. The heating system could be improved (nissan will do this with the 2013 version). The last 10 Years I drove a citroen saxo electrique. The LEAF is a quantum leap! Best regards Ralf
That high ridge from left to right at the front end of the trunk is not chargers, it's battery related though. Because the battery cells are so heavy, it keeps the body right left-to-right and prevents the battery from collapsing the floor of the passenger compartment. This is also why the front pillars, on either side of the windshield, are so massive -- if the car rolls over, they keep the heavy battery from crushing the passengers. Very safe but a little hard to see around. The heating system uses the same heat pump as the cooling system,which is quite efficient down to outside air temperature of 32F. Below freezing, resistance heating, like a toaster's coils, feed heat into the A/C system at (as you note) a significant cost in range. I have a 2012 SL also and it doesn't't have rear-seat heaters, and I suspect yours does not either. The velour seat covering is pretty comfortable even when the car starts off cold, though.
Your wall outlet should at least be 20A. You have a 15A outlet there 16:10. Nissan says you're not suppose to use that charger on a daily basis... probably because of a fire danger. But if you use use it I would upgrade to a 20A circuit or 220V...and please use a metal outlet box and a metal faceplate, preferably protrude 1 feet away from that wood frame there + maybe a wireless smoke alarm too. It appears you have a plastic boxed based on that wobble. You got lots of cool stuff garaged worth protecting.
Wow...fantastic video...well done. I recently bought a new Prius C, which I love. I live in the boonies in western MD and one of these actually passed by me a few weeks ago. I too commute exactly 10 miles 1 way to work and do all our shopping within a few miles. If I had to have a second car I'd take a close look at these.
Portable heater that runs on 115V -using a timer- and pre-heat the inside before you drive in the morning. I can tell you that we expected to be much colder inside even now in late October, but it just isn't so. With the significant glass (and visibility) the car temp stays just right during our daily commutes. In MN., there is no telling!
Hi Bob Nice video. Thank You. Are you still driving Leaf? I am wondering what's your opinion about this car now after more time spent with it. Is there any issue in your opinion with battery durability? What are your biggest challanges concerning using this car if any?
+Michał Franczyk Sorry for the delay... Yes, we drive it every day... and it is FULL solar powered now... I have panels on the garage. Sure, the weak point is the battery. We were all concerned about cost and longevity. We've lost 7% of the battery capacity in 2 years. But, It started out working about 10% better than advertised, so we are about at the advertised spec now. I know as an engineer that LiPo batteries pull off their peak capacity after about 200 charges and then sit there at slightly less than peak- for their entire life. Then they just die all of the sudden years later. Nissan just announced their new Leaf battery with 25% more power... and that translates into more like 40% more range - because a bigger battery is loafing more..it isn't as stressed. Also, they announced the battery replacement cost - $5500...which is just fine. Being that one battery set replaces 10,000 miles of driving with gas. Four $100 solar panels will produce the power that the Leaf uses each month...forever. We have 18 panels powering the house and car. Only morons who worship the past still grope onto ancient oil technology..."The horse will never die"...but you know what happens if you wish it was the past...you become history.
I occasionally have to work about 50 miles away…any problem just driving there, charging it there and driving home ? Looks online like there are charging stations.
The 2013 Leaf is reduced by -$6500 and the range has been expanded. Federal rebate is $7500...so the price should be in the mid to low $20's. Figuring you save $16K in gas the first ten years.... To make enough power to offset the Leaf's use/month -you need about 1400 watts of panels- which cost about $1600 in parts (after tax credit). The panels will work for 30+ years. That will make it cost 1 cent per mile for fuel. If you charge from the wall, it costs $15 a month to do about 800 miles/mo
Possibly the best review of Leaf I have found. How does cold weather effect the battery not just the heater. Does the Battery wear down faster ? How about hills? I live in a Nw PA we have a lot of steep hills. I am guessing that it would drain the battery faster. going up hills
What do you think of having a Honda generator in the back on long trips. It would say take 2 gallons of gas or so and some time but also peace of mind.
we bought a used 2013 Leaf S w/23,750 last Friday for $8,500 and I must say I love my new toy. We also own a 2017 Volt and they complement each other pretty well. Yesterday I drove the Leaf for 51 miles running errands with the kids and it still showed 20 miles left on the "guessometer" which could easily been 30 miles from what I have seen so far. Then I switched cars and drove 60 miles round trip on 2017 Volt bc the kids wanted "real fireworks" which I had to buy in Cocoa (we live in Orlando). If you drive (plan) less than 60 miles per day you will have no issues with the car. The AC and heat insulation is even better than the Volt and much roomier interior, etc. I scored a BIG win on Friday.
+smilinmikeusa Only charge to 100% if you are going to use it right then. LiPo batteries don't like to sit at 100% charge - or at less than 20%. Set the overnight timer to 80% and do a quick top-off if you have a long-range trip that day. Ideal long-term storage (vacation) is at 50% charge... and LiPo's discharge slowest at 44F. You have about a 1 mile discharge sitting in the garage per day.
smilinmikeusa I'm thinking about buying a 2012 leaf what range can I expect t to get 100miles!? on a full charge or ...unrealistic !? I've heard some get 50 miles
I think for the price they are selling for you can't go wrong. My Leaf has recently lost its third capacity bar giving me a range of about 70 or so miles depending on highway driving, climate control usage, etc. Find a Leaf that hasn't lost too many capacity bars if you can. Also I would definitely have a 220 volt charger installed in your garage. I love mine. They have one that's about four hundred dollars and just plugs right into a 220 volt outlet. One more tip. Look for a 2013 model. They upgraded to a 6 kWh charger in the vehicle and put in a more efficient heater in the 2013 model.
Real world review, thank you. Helping make my research a little easier, heat here in Scotland not such a problem, so conditioning less used, however winter temperatures may have a bigger impact though. Last year where I work, one day hottest place in UK, the very next day one of the coldest and a foot of snow! Minus 10C plus not unusual.
The first "modern" production electric car, Enfield 8000 was actually built 40 years ago on a Greek island!. You can also check the trailer of my documentary on the E8000: A TALE OF TWO ISLES TRAILER
We find that the 110V US standard provided charger is all we need. We never run it dead in one day... and the car is topped-off in the morning when we leave.
Nice video review of the LEAF Yes the car can easily do 12,000 or more miles per year and serve as your families primary vehicle. I am averaging 13,500 miles per year in my LEAF and by comparison our Altima is doing just 5,500 miles a year.
I saw there were other charging stations in your area... I don't suppose you have ever had need to use one, but how do they work? I live in Nebraska, and I have never seen an electric car charging station.
It's great that these cars offer an alternative to gas which is very expensive. My concern with this car and all new cars in general is that I would suspect the computer screens don't last very long and are costly to replace.
Also between the 2012 and 2013, Nissan improved the efficiency of the electric motors and therefore increased to range of driving. Word of caution since you are using the 110v 15A trickle charger, make sure that the Circuit Breaker in your service panel is a 20A breaker. If at all possible please use an isolated outlet to prevent overloading, in other words NO other appliances on that line. Since we have 2 vehicles we have installed a ClipperCreek HSC-40 220V 30A charging system. I will say that I do like the idea of the solar panels for back feeding your AC, however depending on your local Kw/hr cost, it might take you much longer to recuperate the initial cost of installing the system. Happy motoring fellow LEAFies!
Daniel W Daniel, just because you live in a city where EV's have not taken off does not mean that ALL areas are like that. Everyday more than 50 new Level 2 Chargers on average come online across the US, and as more cars are sold there will be more and more charging points installed. BTW there is no reason to use such foul language on this posting.
Average Moose Yes, you are quite right the range on the 2013 LEAF is easily 90+ miles plus you can get an S Model unit with the DCQC unit installed, This will make your recharging time under L3 (480v106A) shrink to 15-30 min for most users. To go from 0-80% will take 30 min but 30% to 80% will take around 12-15 min. Not much longer than a typical petrol station stop. Keep in mind that the current EV's with the exception of the high end Tesla S with the 85kW battery pack they are designed to be commuter cars. The technology is still quite young and growing acceptance everyday.
This is probably the best review I've watched on a Leaf. I learned quite a bit. Thank you! :)
+Wen Agbulos This is the best review I've see on any product tbh. thanks guys
I probanly missed, how fast does it go
Mile Jukic 0to 60 in 2.5 seconds😬
Good review. I've been driving my 2011 Leaf going on 7 years . This leaf is used for business and replaced a Honda Element, this is the first car I've ever owned that will actually pay for it self since I'm not wasting any money on fuel or maintenance. At 5 yrs I took the Leaf to the dealer for maintenance and they put a new battery in it at no charge because it tested bad and was under warranty, they said the new battery had a 5 year warranty on it so I decided to keep the car and drive it another five years. I saw in the comments that people would remove the A/C out of the car, I live in Florida and use the A/C almost every day when its hot. The daily route I run is usually only 55 miles a day which this car will do easily. The car isn't for everyone, I didn't buy the car to impress anyone so I don't care what it looks like .
What an excellent review. Professional, and helpful, thank you!
Hi bob and Karen, any chance of an update on ownership of the leaf over the years?
All the leaf videos I've watched; your the only one who showed underneath the car.
Very well done. Eight years later I'm wondering if you still have it and your feelings on it.
Thanks again
that's the best review i have ever see, not only the real experience from real owner, but also the video made, camera placing, speaking style, and tips for the real world operation, fantastic job!!!! Thank you so much! I am going to order one 2019 e plus version, this video helps a loooooooot !!!!!!!!!!
This is the best nissan leaf review I have ever seen. Especially if I have never had a car. Great job!
A very informative and well produced video review. This is better than reviews by a lot of so called experts , because you include your actual real world use. I'll check TH-cam for any updates to see how your battery held up over the years.
Thank you 😊
The most professional and well thought out video I've ever seen on you tube. I test drove the leaf and was amazed that it felt and behaved like a conventional car. I believe the batteries will continue to improve, and soon range will double. Nice job on the video.
Excellent review. A real owners viewpoint instead of an advertisement is golden.
This is, (hopefully) gonna be my first car! :) Great review Bob!
You guys were way ahead of the curve. Here 5 years later and the world is electrifying.
Very genuine review! Thank you very much! I am Brazilian who works with science and i am happy EVs are getting stronger in the market. Sao Paulo has recently got its first Eletric taxis and the concept is penetrating social dogmas! Thank you very much!
good review..... pleasant couple......thanks for posting this.....have a great day
You know the Marketing guys at Nissan are drooling over this video of yours. They just can't buy this kind of unsolicited review and the value on the implicit endorsement. I love the practical, real-world review, too. Very well done, Bob & Karen!
I like the fact how quiet it is inside the moving car.
Leaf is definitely a good name for this car.
I love you guys. Personally I just thing you guys did a much better and detailed "infoview" and infomercial than the professional auto reviewers online. I'm also a Prius owner and looking for an all EV as 2nd car. I think I might just do the same successful formula as you. Thanks much for your insight. Blue Thumb Up!
I know your comment is 5 years old, but did you end up getting the leaf and if so, how was it? Where do you stand now?
Just test drove one at the weekend. I was blown away by the smoothness. I've had big Jaguars and even they weren't this smooth.
great review, i just bought our 2015 nissan leaf yesterday, and i learned lots of infos from you guys.. thanks a lot.
+minetmanila Read my posting above Leon Hollida
This was a great presentation. Answered a lot of my questions. Thank you for putting this up on youtube.
Even after 7 years this video is extremely helpful
Great video. Question... Did the DC fast charging port come standard on your vehicle or was it an upgrade you paid for? In your video, you mentioned that you don't use it and opt for conventional charging which takes longer.
Thanks !
Nice review of the Leaf! I am a car salesman for Fred Beans Nissan in Limrick PA and a Leaf Owner. Your video nails the most important features of the car... Nice Job!
All I can say is WOW. You you covered everything and this the best review on TH-cam.
Great review, doing it as a couple adds a touch of down-to-earth authentic perspective. Well done! Thank You!
Awesome video! I recently took purchase of a used 2014 Leaf with only about 24,100 miles on it. I believe it was quite the bargain considering the dealer here in Medford, Oregon sold it to me for $7,000!
Did the battery have much degradation? (ie. what is the max it will charge to?) Cheers
The 2014 Nissan Leaf still had all 12 bars and I have gotten anywhere from 72 to 92 miles on the gues mmeter. Now at about 25,300 miles still with 12 bars. Been cold here in Southern Oregon, so I still have yet to experience better overall range. Car works great!
Jackson Bangs Great! Congrats on the bargain!
Excellent tutorial, thank you very much!!!! Answered many of my questions, as I will be purchasing a Leaf in the near future!!
We just picked up our 2 new Nissan LEAFs from the dealer last Thursday and love them. They are very sleek and like the S model with the Upgraded Charging system. We definitely get looks from people driving around town, especially when we pull up to a traffic light or stop signal. However Bob, I would highly suggest that you only charge your vehicle to 80% and not to 100%. I have a friend who is one of the original EV developers in the USA and he advises against charging to 100% unless absolutely necessary. Charging to 100% will cause premature battery EOL, read about it further on the Nissan LEAF owners blog sites.
This was an absolutely perfect review! You answered all of my questions about EV's. I'm taking delivery of my Smart ForTwo ED next week :)
Very nice video and review..I just got my Leaf 2013 yesterday.It was just a little hassle at the dealer,they don't know anything about this awesome car,that's very sad,but I do,so I'm happy..if USA dealers finally will educate themselfs,it will be much better ambient to buy leaf..it's just $$$$ nothing else.I encourage people just close your eyes,try to get the best deal,because this car is treasure and it is loaded !! You won't go wrong..
considering getting an older leaf.. How is it years later? I am guessing if I buy a cheap older one I may have to eventually have the batteries replaced but curious how she held up
Thanks bob, the first car i bought in my life was a Prius and im thinking of switching to a full EV car and this seems the way to go! thanks for all the insight and showing everything in the car.
Yeah, we have the Prius and the Leaf... perfect complement. Problem is, the Leaf makes the Prius fell like a truck. It is SO much more refined and smooth. Enjoy!
Bob Nagy so the leaf is that smooth and quiet??
Very helpful review. Appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences!
Great review! I am thinking of purchasing one myself. I live in a major metropolitan area but do drive a quite a bit during the day. Therefore, I do have range anxiety. But I am still so excited to buy one! Thanks for this wonderful review!
Very nice video Bob and Karen. Excellent review. Very helpful. Thanks!
As a Leaf owner myself you've both covered this very well. Better than all the Nissan attempts... More people need to look at this car. For the majority of 2 car families it works.
Great great review, you guys rock. I also own a 2012 Leaf and everything you said is 100% true. Great work. Great videos. You guys rock. Thanks
I have a 2015 Leaf SV. What happen to your battery? Are you still in love with it?
Outstanding review from users who know the ins and outs of this car....really informative!
still drive my 2011 leaf, I hope to keep it forever.
how many bars lost?
This is a fantastic review of the 2012 Leaf SL. Thank you both for this video.
fantastic review. thank you guys for taking the time.
Thanks for the insight (ha!). Great to see how the Leaf works in the real world. Very informative video. No rebates in Australia so the Leaf is AU$46k or ~50% more than Prius so only early adopters with deep pockets over here!
Great job guys. I've got a new dream car now, thanks to you. Can you post more videos like one of a long trip, tire wear, passenger capacity, uphill capabilities... Keep it up!
Detailed and enthusiastic review.
But what about the negative side of the car, the things that you didn't like or had problem with?
I heard the battery had some problem.
Did you have that?
Wow, I was watching this video out of interest, and when you mentioned the summer time temperatures, I thought, "That sounds just like Arkansas." And then I saw your map, and it looks like you guys are around Hot Springs, where I'm originally from! I'm shocked that there are electric charging stations in Arkansas. It's super awesome to see forward thinking folks in Arkansas! I recently relocated to Portland, Oregon, in October, and I've been researching electric cars.
Excellent video. Very informative and professional. Thank you!
Hey Bob,
I leased a 2013 Leaf after seeing your video three years ago. I have since bought the same one. I love it! I have 33000 miles one it and it's going strong. No loss of battery. Do you still have yours and if you do, how about making a new video on driving your Leaf for 4 + years?
Good idea! Now, people can buy a used Leaf for $10K and get a SUPER electric car. The Tesla is even better, but at triple the price for the cheap one. The Leaf makes our Prius feel like a truck.
Bob, I just test drove a Nissan Leaf SL with 33000 miles for 10K! But it is already missing 3 capacity bars. What do you recommend? I have never owned an electric vehicle, Im not sure if that is normal.
Buy it her $8k
Now down to between 6 and 9k lol, shopping around, any warnings or things to look out for?
Tanner Beverley now pricing from below USD$4000 on autotrader.com though they are probably ones with more severe battery degradation. For those in the US, it’d be hard not to buy as a toy as that’s nearing the price of a new iPhone 📱
My electric bill has gone up by $50 per month. That too because I have opted for a slightly higher electric rate for 100% Wind Power option. I charge my LEAF every night for about 4.5 hours at 240v 13 amps. I drive about 60 miles everyday. My commute alone is 45 miles roundtrip.
Hi- Yes, we are now facing the winter and we have some strategies for keeping warm.
We've seen that down to 38F, we are comfortable in the car during the day with sweaters on. The seat heaters etc. really work well. Daytime, the car has a significant greenhouse effect and stays warm inside by itself if parked in lit areas. If left out in the driveway prior to driving, it warms up well. Since the current batteries don't like temps under freezing, we will use our Prius.You can use a small..NEXT>:
Hi, Thanks for the Review. 4/3/17 I pick up a 2017 SV Leaf and I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I am a Uber/Lyft driver and worried about getting to charging stations. I am going to install one at my house. I am 5 model yrs ahead, do you think they have improved over all? I got the middle version . Thanks for any feedback you can offer. PS I live in Florida and I need AC on the cooler side. Bill M
the best review on this car!! nice work both of you, thank you for taking you time doing this video, I love this car been 100% electric, I would love to buy this car but the only problem for me is the distance, wish could go more the 100 miles more for a single charge, you are very smart couple having you own solar panel to charge the car (sweet) that's what you call saving money! but if you do it from home you save a little not much as the solar panel.
Hi,
I am a LEAF Owner from Germany and I love this car - it's the best car I ever had. My solar panels produce enough energy for more than 30.000 miles. The heating system could be improved (nissan will do this with the 2013 version).
The last 10 Years I drove a citroen saxo electrique. The LEAF is a quantum leap!
Best regards
Ralf
Thank you very much for this thoughtful review! We had been considering the C-Max Energi, Volt, and Prius. But now Nisan Leaf is on our short list.
That high ridge from left to right at the front end of the trunk is not chargers, it's battery related though. Because the battery cells are so heavy, it keeps the body right left-to-right and prevents the battery from collapsing the floor of the passenger compartment. This is also why the front pillars, on either side of the windshield, are so massive -- if the car rolls over, they keep the heavy battery from crushing the passengers. Very safe but a little hard to see around. The heating system uses the same heat pump as the cooling system,which is quite efficient down to outside air temperature of 32F. Below freezing, resistance heating, like a toaster's coils, feed heat into the A/C system at (as you note) a significant cost in range. I have a 2012 SL also and it doesn't't have rear-seat heaters, and I suspect yours does not either. The velour seat covering is pretty comfortable even when the car starts off cold, though.
"It keeps the body RIGID from left to right", I mean.
Good job Bob & Karen , 5.4 Miles/kWh! and I love your radio presets! NPR and Left...two of my favorites.
Your wall outlet should at least be 20A. You have a 15A outlet there 16:10. Nissan says you're not suppose to use that charger on a daily basis... probably because of a fire danger. But if you use use it I would upgrade to a 20A circuit or 220V...and please use a metal outlet box and a metal faceplate, preferably protrude 1 feet away from that wood frame there + maybe a wireless smoke alarm too. It appears you have a plastic boxed based on that wobble. You got lots of cool stuff garaged worth protecting.
Thank you for making the best video review of this vehicle anywhere!
Great review, we're probably going to get one of these to complement our Chevrolet volt and solar panels
Wow...fantastic video...well done. I recently bought a new Prius C, which I love. I live in the boonies in western MD and one of these actually passed by me a few weeks ago. I too commute exactly 10 miles 1 way to work and do all our shopping within a few miles. If I had to have a second car I'd take a close look at these.
Portable heater that runs on 115V -using a timer- and pre-heat the inside before
you drive in the morning. I can tell you that we expected to be much colder inside even now in late October, but it just isn't so. With the significant glass (and visibility) the car
temp stays just right during our daily commutes. In MN., there is no telling!
Hi Bob
Nice video. Thank You. Are you still driving Leaf? I am wondering what's your opinion about this car now after more time spent with it.
Is there any issue in your opinion with battery durability?
What are your biggest challanges concerning using this car if any?
+Michał Franczyk Sorry for the delay... Yes, we drive it every day... and it is FULL solar powered now... I have panels on the garage. Sure, the weak point is the battery. We were all concerned about cost and longevity. We've lost 7% of the battery capacity in 2 years. But, It started out working about 10% better than advertised, so we are about at the advertised spec now. I know as an engineer that LiPo batteries pull off their peak capacity after about 200 charges and then sit there at slightly less than peak- for their entire life. Then they just die all of the sudden years later. Nissan just announced their new Leaf battery with 25% more power... and that translates into more like 40% more range - because a bigger battery is loafing more..it isn't as stressed. Also, they announced the battery replacement cost - $5500...which is just fine. Being that one battery set replaces 10,000 miles of driving with gas. Four $100 solar panels will produce the power that the Leaf uses each month...forever. We have 18 panels powering the house and car. Only morons who worship the past still grope onto ancient oil technology..."The horse will never die"...but you know what happens if you wish it was the past...you become history.
+Bob Nagy Lots of great information in that comment and on the video, thank you very much!
I occasionally have to work about 50 miles away…any problem just driving there, charging it there and driving home ? Looks online like there are charging stations.
we just bought one yesterday! thanks for the great info!
Thanks for this genuine and detailed review. Wish more owners would do reviews like this.
Fantastic review, good honest comments, Thank you from a uk driver.
The 2013 Leaf is reduced by -$6500 and the range has been expanded.
Federal rebate is $7500...so the price should be in the mid to low $20's.
Figuring you save $16K in gas the first ten years.... To make enough power to offset the Leaf's use/month -you need about 1400 watts of panels- which cost about $1600 in parts (after tax credit). The panels will work for 30+ years. That will make it cost 1 cent per mile for fuel. If you charge from the wall, it costs $15 a month to do about 800 miles/mo
Possibly the best review of Leaf I have found. How does cold weather effect the battery not just the heater. Does the Battery wear down faster ? How about hills? I live in a Nw PA we have a lot of steep hills. I am guessing that it would drain the battery faster. going up hills
Good video. Its a pity that here in Australia it is very difficult to buy the Leaf. We are still addicted to oil. Love the solar panel idea.
"keen", haven't heard that word since I was a kid in England. Great informational video!
I like the idea for the solar panels. Any ideas on where I can look for solar panels or at least recommended places?
I really appreciate sharing your experience about this amazing electric car
Very good video, did you get around to using the solar to power the leaf, any information on that, im interested in getting more information on that.
Hey Bob,
Another great review! I still have my Prius
The Leaf won't work for me, This could be a second car.Enjoy your Perspective!
Good Times!
The Leaf is one of the best looking cars on the road today. I really wish they made this same body style in a hybrid model.
A fantastic, honest, intelligent and educational video guys thanks.
Thanks for the excellent review, we're getting our 2015 SL Leaf today! :D
Getting my 2015 S in the next week. Can't wait for delivery.
Hello.. how about now ? Is it stil running smooth ? How the battery? Thankyou . God bless
What do you think of having a Honda generator in the back on long trips. It would say take 2 gallons of gas or so and some time but also peace of mind.
Excellent, honest and unbiased review.
Thanks for sharing guys.
The presenter seems like nice people.. I am sure they are good parents and nice people .. Calm and sweet
I'm doing research and am considering getting a used 2012 Leaf. How has it held up? Any battery concerns?
Im in this same boat and will be test driving one on Wednesday. I love all the benefits of this vehicle - -
we bought a used 2013 Leaf S w/23,750 last Friday for $8,500 and I must say I love my new toy. We also own a 2017 Volt and they complement each other pretty well. Yesterday I drove the Leaf for 51 miles running errands with the kids and it still showed 20 miles left on the "guessometer" which could easily been 30 miles from what I have seen so far. Then I switched cars and drove 60 miles round trip on 2017 Volt bc the kids wanted "real fireworks" which I had to buy in Cocoa (we live in Orlando). If you drive (plan) less than 60 miles per day you will have no issues with the car. The AC and heat insulation is even better than the Volt and much roomier interior, etc. I scored a BIG win on Friday.
Bob and Karen, that was an awesome review. You guys should do reviews for all kinds of product. I'd hang out with you two.
I bought a used 2012 Leaf and I love it so far. What is your opinion on charging? 80 % or 100 %? Does it really matter?
+smilinmikeusa Only charge to 100% if you are going to use it right then. LiPo batteries don't like to sit at 100% charge - or at less than 20%. Set the overnight timer to 80% and do a quick top-off if you have a long-range trip that day. Ideal long-term storage (vacation) is at 50% charge... and LiPo's discharge slowest at 44F. You have about a 1 mile discharge sitting in the garage per day.
+smilinmikeusa Read my post above. Sorry for the bad news.
smilinmikeusa I'm thinking about buying a 2012 leaf what range can I expect t to get 100miles!? on a full charge or ...unrealistic !? I've heard some get 50 miles
I think for the price they are selling for you can't go wrong. My Leaf has recently lost its third capacity bar giving me a range of about 70 or so miles depending on highway driving, climate control usage, etc. Find a Leaf that hasn't lost too many capacity bars if you can. Also I would definitely have a 220 volt charger installed in your garage. I love mine. They have one that's about four hundred dollars and just plugs right into a 220 volt outlet. One more tip. Look for a 2013 model. They upgraded to a 6 kWh charger in the vehicle and put in a more efficient heater in the 2013 model.
Hi Bob, I'm wondering if you have an update on how you've been liking your car over the past 2 years?
Real world review, thank you. Helping make my research a little easier, heat here in Scotland not such a problem, so conditioning less used, however winter temperatures may have a bigger impact though. Last year where I work, one day hottest place in UK, the very next day one of the coldest and a foot of snow! Minus 10C plus not unusual.
Very thorough review...the best I've seen too!
The first "modern" production electric car, Enfield 8000 was actually built 40 years ago on a Greek island!. You can also check the trailer of my documentary on the E8000:
A TALE OF TWO ISLES TRAILER
So how do you feel about the Leaf now that it is 2021?
How long does it take to charge at home and also how long does it take to charge fully in a charging station
We find that the 110V US standard provided charger is all we need.
We never run it dead in one day... and the car is topped-off in the morning
when we leave.
Nice video review of the LEAF Yes the car can easily do 12,000 or more miles per year and serve as your families primary vehicle. I am averaging 13,500 miles per year in my LEAF and by comparison our Altima is doing just 5,500 miles a year.
Great Video guys! Thanks again for the in-depth review.
Very very detailed ..you definitely answered all my Questions
Great Video!!! - After I watched this Video I knew I was ready to buy a LEAF! - Thanks for posting! :)
I saw there were other charging stations in your area... I don't suppose you have ever had need to use one, but how do they work? I live in Nebraska, and I have never seen an electric car charging station.
It's great that these cars offer an alternative to gas which is very expensive. My concern with this car and all new cars in general is that I would suspect the computer screens don't last very long and are costly to replace.
Do you guys still have the leaf ...If so why not another review for all this year of use 👍 thanks
Thank U very much for the most Comprehensive review, Super helpful.
Also between the 2012 and 2013, Nissan improved the efficiency of the electric motors and therefore increased to range of driving. Word of caution since you are using the 110v 15A trickle charger, make sure that the Circuit Breaker in your service panel is a 20A breaker. If at all possible please use an isolated outlet to prevent overloading, in other words NO other appliances on that line. Since we have 2 vehicles we have installed a ClipperCreek HSC-40 220V 30A charging system. I will say that I do like the idea of the solar panels for back feeding your AC, however depending on your local Kw/hr cost, it might take you much longer to recuperate the initial cost of installing the system. Happy motoring fellow LEAFies!
Daniel W Daniel, just because you live in a city where EV's have not taken off does not mean that ALL areas are like that. Everyday more than 50 new Level 2 Chargers on average come online across the US, and as more cars are sold there will be more and more charging points installed. BTW there is no reason to use such foul language on this posting.
Average Moose Yes, you are quite right the range on the 2013 LEAF is easily 90+ miles plus you can get an S Model unit with the DCQC unit installed, This will make your recharging time under L3 (480v106A) shrink to 15-30 min for most users. To go from 0-80% will take 30 min but 30% to 80% will take around 12-15 min. Not much longer than a typical petrol station stop. Keep in mind that the current EV's with the exception of the high end Tesla S with the 85kW battery pack they are designed to be commuter cars. The technology is still quite young and growing acceptance everyday.