The 2023 Nissan Leaf has blossomed into another model year, with a fresh face but a model line is just two trims shorter than last year’s five, Nissan announced ahead of the New York International Auto Show on Tuesday.
The changes are mostly cosmetics, with a black-out front fascia instead of its predecessor’s chrome wings. The Nissan illuminates the front badge, and the SV Plus gets the standard 17-inch wheel with a funky pinwheel design featuring five sets of six fingers. Less obvious changes improve aerodynamics.
The interior has new graphics in the cluster, but the biggest changes that haven’t been added are: only the Leaf S and Leaf SV Plus grades remain for 2023, with the Nissan SV, S Plus and SL Plus grades discontinued.
The base and plus models are distinguished by battery size: the Leaf S has a 40-kilowatt battery and a 147-hp electric motor, and a 149-mile range; The Leaf SV Plus uses a 60-kilowatt battery and a 214-hp motor for 226 miles. Both models are front-wheel drive.
The SV Plus model comes with more sophisticated features, including Nissan’s limited hands-free driver-assist system that uses adaptive cruise control and active lane control that can come to a complete stop of traffic, then restart and reach set speeds without driver intervention. .
Minor changes for 2023 conspire with a slim down lineup to suggest that Leaf’s sales decline could lead to its exit. But in this supply-limited time, the original EV plugs in at least one more model year.
Launched in 2010, the Leaf hatchback has received modest upgrades over the years, but the onslaught of electric crossovers from the Chevy Bolt and Tesla Model Y to the Hyundai Ionic 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-e has taken the lift to a budget electric car.
There is nothing wrong with a record new car costing more than $ 46,000. This is the starting point of most new electric crossovers, including the recent twins of the 2023 Subaru Solterra and 2023 Toyota BZ4X. Nissan says Leaf S and its limited range 2022 Nissan Leaf should start below $ 29,000, including the destination. Presumably, Leaf still has a ,500 7,500 federal EV tax credit, as well as available state incentives that make it the most affordable EV on the market.
The Nissan Leaf is expected to be priced before the 2023 summer sale date.