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Photo of a Nissan Leaf

Nissan Leaf

The mass-market EV pioneer with nearly 700,000 sales by its third-generation debut.12

Researched October 30, 2026 from 33 sources

At a glance

0150300
107–214 hpPower
0510
6.5–10 s0–60 mph
0100200
145–156 km/hTop speed
0200400
254–355 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,500–1,920 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.1245610121314

Engine
AC synchronous electric motor; 24–75 kWh batteries across generations5612
Layout
Front motor, front-wheel drive4
Gearbox
Single-speed reduction gear4611
Built at
Oppama/Tochigi, Japan; from 2013: Smyrna, US, and Sunderland, UK245

The story

Nissan created the LEAF as an affordable EV for everyday family use. The original put five seats on a dedicated electric chassis; its name expands to "leading environmentally-friendly affordable family car."34

2009: The affordable five-seat EV arrives20092010: Japan and US deliveries begin20102011: European, World and Japanese honors20112013: Faster charging, smarter packaging20132016: 30 kWh joins SV and SL20162018: 40 kWh, 147 hp and one-pedal stops20182019: Plus/e+ arrives with 62 kWh20192022: 2023 facelift pares US range to two2022 Nissan R'nessa (N30): 1997–2001N30Nissan Altra: 1998–2002Nissan AltraNissan Hypermini: 1999–2001Nissan Leaf (first generation) (ZE0 / AZE0): 2010–2017ZE0 / AZE0Nissan Leaf (second generation) (ZE1): 2017–2025ZE1Nissan Leaf (third generation) (ZE2): 2025–present 200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones452324
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1997–2001Nissan R'nessa (N30)
1998–2002Nissan Altra
1999–2001Nissan Hypermini
2010–2017Nissan Leaf (first generation) (ZE0 / AZE0)
2017–2025Nissan Leaf (second generation) (ZE1)
2025–presentNissan Leaf (third generation) (ZE2)
2009The affordable five-seat EV arrives
2010Japan and US deliveries begin
2011European, World and Japanese honors
2013Faster charging, smarter packaging
201630 kWh joins SV and SL
201840 kWh, 147 hp and one-pedal stops
2019Plus/e+ arrives with 62 kWh
20222023 facelift pares US range to two
  1. 2009

    The affordable five-seat EV arrives

    Nissan unveiled the LEAF in August as CEO Carlos Ghosn championed a practical, zero-emission car for the mass market.34

  2. 2010

    Japan and US deliveries begin

    Production started at Oppama, Japan, in October; the first LEAFs reached buyers in Japan and the US in December.45

  3. 2011

    European, World and Japanese honors

    The original LEAF won European and World Car of the Year for 2011, plus Japan's 2011–2012 title.4

  4. 2013

    Faster charging, smarter packaging

    Available heat-pump heating, B-mode and 6.6 kW charging reworked the original; moving its charger up front freed cargo space.67

  5. 2016

    30 kWh joins SV and SL

    SV and SL gained a 30 kWh battery while S retained 24 kWh. Across the first generation, EPA range ran from 73 to 107 miles (117–172 km).58

  6. 2018

    40 kWh, 147 hp and one-pedal stops

    The second generation paired 40 kWh with 147 hp and a 150-mile range; standard e-Pedal could stop the car, with ProPILOT Assist optional.49

  7. 2019

    Plus/e+ arrives with 62 kWh

    North American Plus models gained 214 hp and 62 kWh: S Plus reached 226 EPA miles (364 km); SV Plus and SL Plus were rated at 215 (346 km).410

  8. 2022

    2023 facelift pares US range to two

    S and SV PLUS remained for 2023, joined by a reshaped grille and black headlamp trim; SV PLUS gained new 17-inch wheels.411

Every generation

  • Nissan R'nessa
    N301997–2001
  • Nissan Hypermini
    Nissan Hypermini1999–2001
  • Nissan Leaf (first generation)
    ZE0 / AZE02010–2017
  • Nissan Leaf (second generation)
    ZE12017–2025
  • Nissan Leaf (third generation)
    ZE22025–present

Power over the years

From 107 hp to 214 hp in 8 years.

0100200300 201020122014201620182020202220242026 hp 2011 · 107 hp · 2011 original2018 · 147 hp · 2018 redesign, 40 kWh2019 · 214 hp · Plus/e+, 62 kWh2026 · 214 hp · 2026 S+, 75 kWh 214 hp Plus/e+, 62 kWh 107 hp 2011 original
49101213
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
20111072011 original
20181472018 redesign, 40 kWh
2019214Plus/e+, 62 kWh
20262142026 S+, 75 kWh

Versions

9 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • S Plus / SV Plus / SL Plus (e+)

    Standard

    S Plus / SV Plus / SL Plus (e+)

    2019

    214 hp
  • S+ / SV+ / Platinum+

    Standard

    S+ / SV+ / Platinum+

    2026

    214 hp

  • Special

    Black Edition

    2017

  • Autech (Japan)

    Special

    Autech (Japan)

    2019

  • Special

    LEAF10

    2021

  • NISMO (Japan, 2018 road car)

    Performance

    NISMO (Japan, 2018 road car)

    2018

  • Limited

    3.ZERO e+ Limited Edition

    2019

    214 hp
  • 2.Zero

    Limited

    2.Zero

    2018

    1,500 built

  • Limited

    N-Tec Limited Edition

    2020

    1,000 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • First generation: raised, blue-tinted headlights sweep up beside the hood.5622
  • First generation: the charging door sits in the center of the nose.5622
  • 2026 crossover: flush front door handles and rear handles concealed in the C-pillar.12

Year by year

  1. 2013

    S has 16-inch wheel covers, SV gets five-spoke 16-inch alloys, and SL gains split-five-spoke 17-inch alloys.6

  2. 2013 cabin

    Black interiors and SL leather seats arrive; relocating the onboard charger to the front frees cargo space.6

  3. 2019 (early e+)

    Early e+ cars have a reflective blue strip on the front valance; the rest of the exterior closely resembles the smaller-battery car.416

  4. 2023 facelift

    Reshaped grille, black headlamp inners and wind deflectors, new Nissan badges, and five-spoke 17-inch alloys on SV PLUS.11

  5. 2026

    The crossover body brings flush front handles, rear handles hidden in the C-pillar and stacked rectangular front lighting.12

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Nissan Leaf
    Leaf
    Photo of a Nissan Rogue
    Nissan Rogue

    Nissan Rogue

    The 2018 Leaf shares its family styling; look inside the V-Motion grille for the Leaf's flush, clear-blue 3D mesh panel.9

  • Photo of a Nissan Leaf
    Leaf
    Photo of a Nissan Ariya
    Nissan Ariya

    Nissan Ariya

    For hatchback-era Leafs, look for the shorter, lower body; the Ariya is a larger crossover SUV.48

Against its rivals

  • Hyundai Kona Electric

    Leaf vs Hyundai Kona Electric

    Quarter-mile lower is better

    Leaf15.2 s
    Hyundai Kona Electric15.1 s
    10

Prices

Value today $685.0–$4.0K32

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$100$1K$10K$100K 2010201520202025 Value today: $685–$3,965 2011 · $34,570 · US SL base, before tax credit2011 · $35,440 · US SL as tested, before tax credit2018 · $30,875 · US base, before incentives2018 · $36,845 · US SV as tested, before incentives2019 · $30,885 · US base, before tax credit2019 · $37,445 · US Plus base, before credits2019 · $44,270 · US SL Plus tested, before incentives2022 · $27,400 · US S MSRP, +$1,025 destination2023 · $28,040 · US S MSRP, +$1,095 destination2023 · $36,040 · US SV Plus MSRP, +$1,095 destination 2011 · $34,570 · US SL base price, 2011 model year 2026 · $4,400 · 2016, New York City fleet, GovDeals2026 · $3,050 · 2016 S-30, 38,012 mi, MNBid2026 · $3,150 · 2015 SL, GovDeals2026 · $2,588 · 2020; damage or defect reported, Public Surplus2026 · $685 · 2016; serious issue reported, GovDeals2026 · $499 · 2011; damage or defect reported, Public Surplus2026 · $125 · 2017, 102,726 mi; serious issue reported, Apple Auctioneering2026 · $5,100 · 2016, 5,604 mi, Purple Wave $5.1K Purple Wave, 2026
81011132932
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2011Launch price$34,570US SL base price, 2011 model year
2011Price when new$34,570US SL base, before tax credit
2011Price when new$35,440US SL as tested, before tax credit
2018Price when new$30,875US base, before incentives
2018Price when new$36,845US SV as tested, before incentives
2019Price when new$30,885US base, before tax credit
2019Price when new$37,445US Plus base, before credits
2019Price when new$44,270US SL Plus tested, before incentives
2022Price when new$27,400US S MSRP, +$1,025 destination
2023Price when new$28,040US S MSRP, +$1,095 destination
2023Price when new$36,040US SV Plus MSRP, +$1,095 destination
2026Auction sale$4,4002016, New York City fleet, GovDeals
2026Auction sale$3,0502016 S-30, 38,012 mi, MNBid
2026Auction sale$3,1502015 SL, GovDeals
2026Auction sale$2,5882020; damage or defect reported, Public Surplus
2026Auction sale$6852016; serious issue reported, GovDeals
2026Auction sale$4992011; damage or defect reported, Public Surplus
2026Auction sale$1252017, 102,726 mi; serious issue reported, Apple Auctioneering
2026Auction sale$5,1002016, 5,604 mi, Purple Wave
2026Value today$685–$3,965

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 9 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “A reverse mile in 1:37.02 at Goodwood”
    • “14:33 up Pikes Peak, with a warning beeper”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 6 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 33 sources
  1. NISSAN LEAF BACKS INTO THE FUTURE uk.nissannews.com
  2. All-New Nissan LEAF Press Kit global.nissannews.com
  3. Nissan unveils "LEAF" - the world's first electric car designed for affordability and real-world requirements global.nissannews.com
  4. Nissan Leaf - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  5. Nissan Leaf (first generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  6. 2013 Nissan LEAF Press Kit usa.nissannews.com
  7. NEW NISSAN LEAF: MORE AFFORDABLE, MORE FLEXIBLE uk.nissannews.com
  8. Used Nissan Leaf Range & Battery Heath (Real-world Data) recurrentauto.com
  9. 2018 Nissan LEAF Press Kit usa.nissannews.com
  10. 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus First Test: Quicker Than You Might Expect motortrend.com
  11. 2023 Nissan LEAF Press Kit usa.nissannews.com
  12. 2026 Nissan LEAF Press Kit usa.nissannews.com
  13. 2011 Nissan Leaf SL Long-Term Road Test – Review – Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  14. Nissan announces new LEAF 3.ZERO and new LEAF e+ 3.ZERO with higher output and longer range uk.nissannews.com
  15. Used Nissan Leaf (2018 - present) buying guide | Carwow carwow.co.uk
  16. Buyers guide: Choosing a used Nissan LEAF - Nissan Insider nissaninsider.co.uk
  17. NISSAN LEAF BLACK EDITION france.nissannews.com
  18. Nissan LEAF Autech to go on sale in Japan global.nissannews.com
  19. Nissan launches LEAF10 special version to celebrate 10 years of the first mass-market electric car europe.nissannews.com
  20. New Nissan LEAF Shiro uk.nissannews.com
  21. Nissan LEAF NISMO to make world debut global.nissannews.com
  22. INTERVIEW10：日産自動車　グローバルデザイン本部　プロダクトデザイン部　プロダクトチーフデザイナー　井上眞人氏/ デザインのチカラ/ JDN特集記事 by イマジカデジタルスケープ japandesign.ne.jp
  23. Nissan R'nessa - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  24. Nissan Hypermini - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  25. 2013-2014 EVs Compared: Spark, Focus, 500E, Fit, Leaf, Fortwo caranddriver.com
  26. 100% ELECTRIC NISSAN LEAF TAKES HISTORIC PIKES PEAK WIN usa.nissannews.com
  27. New Gran Turismo 5 DLC This Tuesday: Car Pack 3, Speed Test Course – PlayStation.Blog blog.playstation.com
  28. Nissan LEAF Brings Electric Cars to SimCity™ usa.nissannews.com
  29. Tested: 2018 Nissan Leaf caranddriver.com
  30. Nissan unleashes all-new LEAF NISMO RC electric race car usa.nissannews.com
  31. 2026 Nissan LEAF: How designers turned the iconic EV into a sleek, air-cheating crossover usa.nissannews.com
  32. Nissan Leaf Government Auction Prices: What They Sell For (Median $1,975) | GovAuctions.app govauctions.app
  33. Used Nissan Leaf (Mk1, 2011-2018) review - What should you look out for? | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  • uk.nissannews.com
  • global.nissannews.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • usa.nissannews.com
  • recurrentauto.com
  • motortrend.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • carwow.co.uk
  • nissaninsider.co.uk
  • france.nissannews.com
  • europe.nissannews.com
  • japandesign.ne.jp
  • blog.playstation.com
  • govauctions.app

Photo credits

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