Used 2013 Nissan Leaf for sale 

The 2013 Nissan Leaf is now available in three different trim after the inclusion of the new base S trim. Even the base trim gets plenty of features and technology to attract more and more buyers, while the higher trims add more functionality and a hint of premiumness to the cabin of the Leaf. Not to forget the faster 6.6-kW charger costs an additional $2,200, but it is worth the investment as it saves time and offers quick replenishment whenever needed. 

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Although the base trim has most of the creature comforts that one would need from their hatchback, opting for the SV trim should be the preferred choice as it adds a bit more functionality and comfort to the car while not costing considerably more. With features like 16" alloy wheels, rear ventilation ducts, cruise control, and more, the SV trim makes up for a value for money deal.

The all-electric Nissan Leaf is powered by an 80-kW AC motor, which is rated to produce 107 hp and 187 lb-ft of torque, and all of that torque is available right from the get-go, unlike the gasoline cars.

The motor is paired with a single-speed automatic transmission, and the power is sent to the front wheels. The entire powertrain is tuned for maximum efficiency, and hence the acceleration performance isn’t as peppy and energetic as we would expect from an electric. 

The Ford Focus Electric is the most expensive car in this comparison, and it costs a whopping $10,000 more than the Leaf. It has the highest power and torque output to offer, but the Honda Fit EV which is marginally more affordable than the Focus is much quicker in the straight-line acceleration tests. When comparing the top speed, Nissan is the fastest at 93 mph.

The Nissan Leaf employs a 24 kWh battery pack, which is kind of the standard size for a car this size, and it helps the 2013 Leaf get 75 miles of driving range as per the EPA tests. Although it is pretty efficient in nature as the combined MPGe is rated for 115, which is amongst the best in the segment. However, the real-world driving range is much lower, and one has to charge considerably more often which also affects the longevity of the battery.

The Honda Fit EV too has an identical 24 kWh battery pack as that of the Leaf but has a marginally longer driving range. The Focus electric on the other hand has an option for two battery sizes, which can offer up to 115 miles on a single charge as per the tests, although that would increase the costs even further. Amongst the three, the Ford Focus Electric has the lowest efficiency while the two Japanese are pretty much on par with each other.

The floorboard placement of the battery pack opens up plenty of space inside the cabin to offer a comfortable experience inside the car. Although there is ample headroom up front, the rear seat passengers have limited room to play with.

The reallocation of the charging port to the front has helped open up a massive 24 cu-ft of trunk space behind the rear seat, which can be further extended by folding down the rear seatback.

The Honda Fit EV has a much more spacious cabin for the rear seat passengers as the front row has limited space as compared to the Leaf, and even the trunk volume has been compromised in the Fit. The Focus EV, on the other hand, has more legroom at the front, but the headroom is lesser than the Nissan. Major interior features include-

• Heated front bucket seats
• 60/40 fold-down heated rear bench seat
• Leather-appointed seat trim
• 3-spoke leather-wrapped heated tilt adjust the steering wheel
• Automatic climate control w/rear HVAC vents
• Chrome interior door handles
• HomeLink universal transceiver

How is the 2013 Nissan Leaf Electric Hatchback’s infotainment system?

The touchscreen infotainment system is pretty smooth and also displays parameters like cruising range and energy efficiency readouts alongside navigation and other MMI functions. The audio system is pretty decent as well, and the inclusion of modern features makes the car an even more exciting prospect. Major infotainment features include-

• 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• 6-speaker audio system
• Bluetooth hands-free phone system
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• Nissan navigation system w/SiriusXM NavTraffic
• Pandora link for iPhone

The design of the Nissan Leaf is nothing out of the box, and apart from the blue badging and green decals in some instances, it is hardly identifiable from a regular combustion engine counterpart.

The Leaf has pleasant styling with minimal drag coefficient to improve efficiency, while the compact dimensions make it easier to maneuver through the city traffic and tight bylanes. 

The Honda Fit EV is the most compact car amongst the cars present here, while the Nissan Leaf is the largest one here. The Fit EV also has the lowest ride height, while both the Focus Electric and the Nissan Leaf have an identical ground clearance, which is more suitable to take on the broken roads. Major exterior highlights of the Leaf include-

• LED headlights w/Auto on/off
• Body-colored remote-controlled heated power exterior mirrors
• Chrome exterior door handles
• Rear diffuser and aerodynamic underbody cover
• Photovoltaic solar panel spoiler
• 17-inch 5-split spoke alloy wheels

With the high price tag that is associated with an electric car today, people expect good value in other aspects of the car, and Nissan Leaf does well in the safety aspect. The 2013 Leaf gets an overall 4-star rating out of a possible 5-star rating, while it also was chosen as the ‘Top Safety Pick’ by the IIHS. There aren’t any driver aids as such, but the available list of safety features is pretty solid, and some of them are listed below. 

• Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) and Traction control system (TCS)
• Hill-start assist (HSA)
• Dual-stage front airbags w/occupant classification system
• Front side-impact airbags
• Front/rear side curtain airbags
• Nissan Connection telematics w/36 month complimentary roadside assistance
• Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) w/easy fill tire alert

The Nissan Leaf was one of the first electric vehicles in the market, and even today, it is one of the most affordable and practical offerings. The limited driving range is something that one would have to make do with at this point with the level of technology in play today, but the available faster charger makes the deal sweeter than before, reducing the charging times to half. All in all, a decent pick in the segment.