The currentNissan Leafis in its final lap, with a next-gen crossover set to take its place soon. It’s been around since 2018 in this form and, while it never lit up the sales charts, it’s quietly remained one of the most important and most affordable electric cars out there.
What’s always stood out to me is how approachable the Leaf is. It’s not flashy, but it’s reliable, cheap to run, and one of thefew EVs I’d genuinely recommend to someone who’s never owned one before—especially if you’re shopping used.
That’s where the Leaf really shines. Because it started at such a low price, used examples are incredibly affordable—and unlike a lot of budgetEVs, you’re not sacrificing dependability or practicality to get there.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Nissan and other authoritative sources, including CarEdge, Edmunds, the EPA, iSeeCars, and J.D. Power.
The Nissan Leaf Is Surprisingly Reliable—Even as a Used Buy
According to iSeeCars, the Nissan Leaf earns a solid 7.3 out of 10 overall, thanks to decent marks for reliability, retained value, and safety. Its average lifespan? Around eight years or just over 65,000 miles.
J.D. Power hasn’t released ratings for the 2025 model just yet, butthe 2023 version(which is mechanically the same) gives us a pretty good idea. It scored 76 out of 100 for quality and reliability—comforting numbers if you’re considering a used one.
The driving experience is rated a bit lower at 61, but resale sits at 71 and dealer experience gets a solid 83. Not perfect, but for a budget-friendly EV, those are reassuring stats.
$909
$939
$972
$1,006
$1,041
$4,865
$69
$303
$293
$1,467
$2,201
$0
$87
$209
$305
$601
$1,389
$93
$1,761
$1,635
$1,318
$980
$615
$223
$4,771
$9,656
$2,272
$2,150
$2,522
$2,389
$18,989
$537
$553
$570
$587
$605
$2,852
$14,193
$5,244
$5,155
$5,325
$6,123
$36,040
If you’re looking for a wallet-friendly EV, the numbers speak for themselves.Edmunds estimatesthat over five years, the base Nissan Leaf S will cost just $2,201 in maintenance and $601 in repairs.
Depreciation hits around $18,989, and you’re looking at about $2,852 in electricity costs to keep it charged and moving. All in, it’s one of the cheapest EVs to own over time.
CarEdge backs that upwith a similar total cost of ownership—just over $42,800 over five years. Their breakdown includes $1,105 for maintenance and $2,080 for electricity, showing just how affordable this EV really is.
Solid Reception, Rock-Solid Reliability
Owners on Edmunds give the Nissan Leaf a solid 4 out of 5 stars, which shows it’s generally a satisfying EV to live with. It’s not perfect, but it’s earned a good reputation where it counts.
One of the most common positives? Reliability. Drivers repeatedly mention that it’s dependable and low-fuss.
That said, a few owners point out that the Leaf tends to wear through tires quicker than expected. But that’s not unique to this car—it’s a common quirk of EVs, thanks to their instant torque and extra weight.
Great overall EV. Comfortable, reliable, and great value. Consistently getting over the EPA range listed.
-2024 Nissan Leaf owner via Edmunds
The Nissan Leaf earns a 73 out of 100 fromJ.D. Power’s consumer-verified score, with highlights like solid reliability and a strong dealership experience. The driving experience lands a bit lower at 61, but resale value holds steady at 71.
It’s never been the flashiest or most in-demand EV, and that hasn’t changed much in 2025.Nissanonly sold 2,323 units in the first quarter—but interestingly, that’s more than double what they sold during the same period last year.
Since launch, total sales have hovered around 15,000 units, which isn’t exactly headline-grabbing. Still, considering it’s been one of the cheapest EVs on the market, it’s carved out a quiet but consistent presence.
The One Big Cost You Should Know About
Nissan doesn’t list the Leaf’s battery price in its online parts catalog, which makes it tricky to pin down exactly what a replacement might cost. Interestingly, they do list battery prices for their hybrid models—but the Leaf remains a bit of a mystery.
Based onestimates from Recurrentand looking at similar EV battery replacements, you’re probably looking at a price between $8,000 and $15,000. The final cost depends on how many modules need swapping—the smaller battery (40 kWh) has 40 modules, while the larger one (62 kWh) has 48.
A Strong Warranty and Reliable Performance Give You Peace of Mind
From what owners say—and Nissan assures—the Leaf’s battery should easily last over 15 years before you see any real drop in range or performance. That kind of longevity is a big plus if you’re thinking long term.
Nissan backs it up with a solid warranty: eight years or 100,000 miles for the battery itself, plus five years or 60,000 miles for other electrical parts. It’s good peace of mind for anyone new to EV ownership.
Not the Fastest, but Impressively Efficient
The Leaf S packs a 40-kWh lithium-ion battery powering a front-mounted motor. The EPA estimates about 149 miles per charge, which covers most city driving needs with ease.
Its efficient drivetrain uses roughly 30 kWh per 100 miles, keeping energy consumption in check. Over five years, the EPA says you could save nearly $4,750 on fuel, while electricity costs come to about $700 annually.
That breaks down to just $1.14 to drive 25 miles—a pretty affordable way to get around town.
40 kWh Net
60 kWh Net
30 kWh/100 Miles
31 kWh/100 Miles
$5,000
$700
$1.14
$1.15
If you’re after a bit more range and don’t mind spending a few extra grand, the SV trim might be worth a look. It comes with a larger 60-kWh battery that bumps range up to anEPA-estimated 212 miles.
Energy use only creeps up slightly to 31 kWh per 100 miles, which is still very efficient for its class. Even with the added power and weight, it delivers the same great savings and low running costs as the base Leaf S.
$28,140
$36,190
147 HP
214 HP
236 LB-FT
250 LB-FT
0–60 MPH
89 MPH
92 MPH
TheNissan Leafwon’t blow you away with performance, but it gets the job done. The base S model makes 147 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, enough for a 0–60 time of 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 89 MPH.
If you want a bit more zip, the SV Plus gives you 214 horsepower and 250 lb-ft. That drops the 0–60 time to 6.7 seconds and nudges the top speed up to 92 MPH—not bad for a practical EV.
40 kWh
60 kWh
40 Minutes
60 Minutes
Since the Leaf is a bit older in EV terms, it tops out at a charging speed of 6.6 kW. If you’re using a standard 120-volt Level One charger, you’re looking at roughly two and a half days to fully juice up either battery.
Switch to a 240-volt Level Two charger and things get much better—about 7.5 hours for the 40-kWh pack and 11 hours for the 60-kWh version. It’s the kind of overnight setup most drivers can live with.
As for fast charging, the Leaf caps out at a modest 100 kW. That’ll get the smaller battery from 10 to 80 percent in 40 minutes, while the larger pack takes around an hour.
