Imagine a fully electric car with enough range for a road trip that you can buy for around $30,000. It may sound unrealistic in today's market, but things are about to change in 2023. Technology has greatly improved Electric car Get closer than ever to parity with ICE vehicles.
Like it or not, Gearhead knows deep down that gas-powered death is inevitable. It's not just about climate change concerns. Electric cars are much cheaper than gasoline and have fewer parts to fail, resulting in a lower cost of ownership. As the electric segment grows, there is an attractive array of affordable EVs on the market with varying ranges and capabilities. Some are actually based on ICE models, while others use dedicated electrical platforms.
of Nissan The Leaf 5-seater 4-door hatchback combines a standard 147 hp electric motor with a 40 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, making it the cheapest EV an American Dreamer can get this year. With a starting price of $27,400, you can move up the trim ladder to unlock the larger battery and more powerful motor available on the Leaf Plus.
The Nissan Leaf is the cheapest electric car of 2022.
The Leaf is a strong alternative to our favorite affordable EV, the Fiat New 500e. However, the Fiat hasn't arrived yet, and even if it did, the starting price would be about $6,000 more than his 2022 Nissan Leaf. Not only that, the Fiat 500e offers 117 horsepower made possible by his 100% powerplant.
Conversely, the cheaper Leaf S base model offers an impressive 147 horsepower, made possible by a front-mounted electronic mill that can run about 149 miles on a full charge. Rather, it makes the choice clear for budget-conscious shoppers, unless you're already a big fan of the iconic Fiat 500. It's cool with a starting price of $33,000 or $37,000 for hatchbacks and convertibles.
But for that money, you get top-of-the-line Leaf SL Plus trim that makes 214 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 250 lb-ft of torque at 800 rpm. Even the middle class S Plus and SV Plus are cheaper and more powerful than the Fiat Abarth 500.
It's fitting that the Leaf is the cheapest electric car in 2022, as Nissan built it around the modern economy of EVs.
2022 Nissan Leaf E-Powertrain and Performance
The base S and higher SV trim levels of the 2022 Nissan Leaf come with a 147 hp e-motor powered by a 40 kWh battery pack to drive the front wheels. The next three Leaf Plus trims (S Plus, SV Plus, SL Plus) rely on a more powerful and larger 214 hp e-motor and 62 kWh battery, so they deliver significantly more power than the first two trims. It should be faster.0 to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds, according to car and drivertest results.
We've been comparing the Fiat 500 to the Leaf, but it's worth mentioning that the Leaf's performance lags behind the similarly priced 200-horsepower 2022 Chevrolet Volt, which can accelerate from rest to 60 miles per hour in less than 7 seconds. there is. Take your place on the highway with the fearsome Tesla Model 3.
If you want an affordable EV that can take you down the highway, look no further than the 283-horsepower Tesla Model 3 with a motor that delivers an estimated 302 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. Accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6.1 seconds. At around $41,500, the Model 3 Standard Range Plus is the cheapest Tesla you can buy.
This puts things into perspective for those still wondering about the Leaf's compelling value. You can switch the regenerative braking mode. One coasts the car when the driver loosens the throttle, the other he uses the same action to slow the car down and use the energy to charge the battery. To charge the Leaf he usually only needs a 120 volt or 240 volt outlet, but the charging time he varies between the two. According to the carmaker, both standard and large batteries can be fully charged in seven hours.
2022 Nissan Leaf interior and practicality
The interior of the base S and SV trim is mostly black plastic. But despite the heavy use of hard plastic, the tastefully finished, textured design gives the interior a premium feel. Leaf Plus models look even more luxurious with an optional light gray leather interior and matching dashboard.
An 8.0-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features is standard on all 2022 Nissan Leaf trim levels, but NAV is optional. A six-speaker audio system is also standard, and a seven-speaker Bose system is exclusive to the SL and SL Plus trims.
The seats are as comfortable as in the La-Z-Boy, without the "cramped rear cabin" situation that plagues most subcompacts. It provides a comfortable and relaxing space for adults before and after passengers. The Nissan Leaf is a spacious subcompact with a slightly raised ride height.
The automaker didn't exaggerate when it said the Leaf's roomy trunk, with its 23.6 cu-ft of cargo space, offers plenty of room for gear without sacrificing seats. While you'll find that the rear seats don't fold down into a flat cargo floor (which expands trunk volume to his 30 cubic feet), the flexible loading area makes it possible for Chevrolet Volt and SUV-like Kiać»Even comparable to Niro.
Final words on the 2022 Nissan Leaf
The biggest advantage of the 2022 Nissan Leaf is the price cut, which makes it $4,245 to $6,545 cheaper than its predecessor, but it's also worth noting that Nissan is making CHAdeMO fast-charging ports standard on all 2022 Leaf models. worthy of His ProPilot Assist semi-automatic driving mode in SV Plus trim.
Source: Nissan, EPA, Car and Driver