New Nissan 2022 Nissan LEAF for Sale in Warwick, RI
Overview
With its legacy as the first mass-market electric vehicle (EV) sold in the U.S., the Nissan LEAF remains a solid choice for drivers seeking to ditch the internal combustion engine in favor of a more eco-conscious choice. For the 2022 model year, Nissan has made this pioneering EV even more appealing. The LEAF now has a lower starting price and more standard equipment, including a Level 3 fast-charging port and additional technology gear on mid-tier and higher trims.
The LEAF’s four-door hatchback body style maximizes the utility factor for both passengers and cargo. At the same time, this EV’s choice of battery size and range gives drivers the flexibility to choose a version that best suits their needs and budget. As of this writing, federal and select state tax credits are still available for the LEAF, making it even more attractive.
Trims and Powertrain
TThe front-wheel-drive 2022 LEAF is available in five trims: S, S Plus, SV, SV Plus, and SL Plus. The standard LEAF battery configuration includes a 110 kW motor that churns out 147 horsepower and 236 lb.-ft. of torque. The 40 kWh lithium-ion battery takes 8 hours for a full charge using a 240-volt system. The EPA-estimated range (at full charge) is 149 miles, with MPGe fuel economy rated at 123 in the city and 99 on the highway.
Trims with the “Plus” designation get a 160 kW motor making 214 horsepower and 250 lb.-ft. of torque. The 62 kWh lithium-ion battery takes 11 hours for a full charge at 240 volts. The EPA-estimated range (at full charge) is 226 miles for the S Plus and 215 miles for the SV Plus and SL Plus. The MPGe fuel economy is 118 for in-town driving and 97 on the highway for the S Plus, and 114 city/94 highway for the SV Plus and SL Plus. Using a 480-volt fast-charging system, the LEAF or LEAF Plus can achieve an 80% charge in about 30 minutes. A CHAdeMO fast-charging (Level 3) port is included on all 2022 LEAFs. CHAdeMO is the acronym for a standard charging platform developed by five Japanese automakers working collectively under the name Charge de Move.
Standard Equipment and Packages
The standard equipment for the LEAF S includes 16-inch steel wheels with covers, automatic headlights, a rear spoiler, keyless entry with push-button start, an illuminated and locking charge port, automatic climate control, remote cabin preheating and precooling, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, and active safety technologies (see the details below). The S Plus gets a front chin spoiler and 16-inch alloy wheels.
Substituted or additional features for the SV include 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, heated sideview mirrors, a heated leather steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, heated front seats, and a cabin heat pump. The Technology Package is available on the SV and standard on the SV Plus, adding LED headlights and daytime running lights, additional driver aids (outlined below), an eight-way power driver’s seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an electronic parking brake, and a surround-view camera system. The SL Plus is set up like the SV Plus, but it also gets a cargo cover and leather seating.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All 2022 LEAFs include Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 suite of driving aids, including automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and blind-spot intervention. ProPilot Assist for semi-automated driving and driver attention warning are included on cars equipped with the Technology Package.
All LEAFs receive an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a four-speaker audio system, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and two USB ports per row. The SV, SV Plus, and SL Plus add navigation, NissanConnect telematics, two more speakers, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The SL Plus also gets a seven-speaker Bose sound system.
LEAF vs. Kia Niro EV
Electric vehicles are hotter than ever, and one of the industry’s most attractive options is the Nissan LEAF, which for model year 2022 flaunts a lower sticker price and more standard amenities. While the LEAF is certainly a compelling catch, it still must compete with other noteworthy EVs, such as the 2022 Kia Niro. Here, we compare them in depth, looking at the most critical factors that most car shoppers care about when they’re deciding which model to buy.
Pricing and Efficiency
Many people assume that EVs cost an arm and a leg, but this simply isn’t true of the 2022 Nissan LEAF: it has a starting MSRP of just $27,400. The entry-level price of Kia Niro EV, though, is considerably higher at $39,990. Even the top-spec LEAF SL PLUS with all of its sought-after standard features is less expensive with its $37,400 price tag than the base Niro EV. Sure, while the Niro EV may have a greater electric driving range of 239 miles compared to the LEAF PLUS’ 226, the difference is small – and not enough for the majority of drivers to justify paying that much more for.
Notable Equipment
If we were to compare apples-to-apples trims according to sticker price, we’d measure up the highest-level LEAF SL PLUS and the base-level Niro EV EX. Although it’s less expensive, the LEAF SL PLUS has many of the same enticing features as the Niro EV EX, such as heated side mirrors, automatic high beams, push-button start, automatic climate control, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel. What the LEAF SL PLUS boasts that the Niro EV EX doesn’t, though, are leather-appointed seats and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The Niro EV EX’s seats are a combination of synthetic leather and cloth, and its rearview mirror does not automatically dim.
Safety and Driver-Assist Features
While the 2022 versions of the LEAF and Niro EV have yet to be tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2021 LEAF was awarded a five-star crash test safety rating. Even though the 2021 Niro EV was not evaluated by the NHTSA, the Hybrid variation was, and it only received a four-star rating. The 2022 LEAF SL PLUS and the 2022 Niro EV EX do share many of the same advanced safety technologies though, like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and intervention, driver attention warning, and adaptive cruise control. But unlike the Niro EV EX, the LEAF SL PLUS has rear parking sensors and a surround-view camera system, and its blind-spot system has an intervention function whereas the Niro EV’s simply chimes a warning.