As other brands have brought new EV models to the market, the team at Nissan realized they were going to need more than just a daily useful range from the Leaf to make it a model we would want to drive.
This affordable EV would be passed by unless this team found a way to give us some additional technology in this little car so that we could easily see why this would be the right choice for the drive and they have found a way to make that possible.
The new 2018 version of the Nissan Leaf continues to be affordable and it now boasts a range of 150 miles from a full charge while giving you 147 horsepower and 236 lb.-ft. of torque from the single electric motor that’s included. This little car is one that you can drive all day, handle a reasonably long daily commute, and plug it in at night to recharge with the knowledge that it has everything you need for your daily drive. The challenge facing the Leaf is the same as other EV models which is that it’s not built to be good for a road trip.
The Tech You’re Looking For
When we have an EV model most of us are aware that regenerative braking its typically part of the equation needed to make sure we can recapture some of the energy that’s typically lost during braking to send it back to the battery pack. The Nissan Leaf offers a feature called e-Pedal which uses a button on the center console that allows you to lift your foot off the accelerator pedal in order to apply the braking force and have a way to capture much of the energy which will be returned to the battery pack.
Another technology upgrade you’re sure to love, and one of the items that were part of the teaser series of videos for this car is the ProPilot Assist. This is a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving technology that uses a list of sensors to make sure you can execute your commute and help keep you where you need to be on the road. This system is much more than just an adaptive cruise control, and it allows you to have much less stress when you’re driving on the roads that you need to use for your commute every day.
For the charging of the batteries, you’ll have a Level 1 charging cable that comes with every model of the Leaf, but if you choose the SL and above, you’ll have a Level 2 charging cable. This means you simply need a 240-volt outlet for charging with this cable, which is the same power used to power your dryer for your clothes. This is the affordable way to allow you a faster charging time when you allow your Leaf to become powered up overnight while you’re sleeping which makes for an easy to use charging system.
The Comfort Desired
As you look at the older models of the Nissan Leaf you might have thought this car looked uncomfortable, but the new model is certainly a change from this. There is a host of premium, soft-touch materials that are used for this car to make sure you’re comfortable and ready to make use of all the impressive technology that’s offered. The rear seats are large enough for adults to sit and you’ll have the functions of systems such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto while also being able to make use of the Amazon Alexa device that can be helpful for your daily life.
As it’s currently built, the Leaf is an excellent second-generation step up from the previous model. A model that will offer over 200 miles of range is due to arrive for the 2019 model year, but if you don’t need this added distance and want the ability to power your car at home every night and then drive it all day long, the new 2018 version of the Leaf is ready to be the right one for you. The technology is impressive and the drive is comfortable in this quiet and affordable EV that you can enjoy on the road.
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