Used 2016 Nissan LEAF for Sale nearChicago, IL

Is the 2016 Nissan LEAF a good car?

The 2016 Nissan LEAF is a mixed but sensible choice if you want an easy-to-live-with electric hatchback, with a 3.3/5 user rating and a 7.00/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 9/10. Nissan’s battery upgrade for the SV and SL trims raises range to 104 miles, and the added quick-charge port improves day-to-day usability for buyers who want a simple all-electric car with more flexibility. At the same time, the LEAF is showing its age, and the source notes that competitors have matched it for style and substance. The 35.9% share of good and great deals suggests there is still meaningful value in the market.

Is the 2016 Nissan LEAF reliable?

The 2016 Nissan LEAF is described as having about average reliability, and the expert notes point to a straightforward electric setup that can help keep routine ownership simple. The battery upgrade for SV and SL trims adds more usable range, and the cost-effectiveness notes mention an 8-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty, plus an additional battery capacity warranty for 2016. That said, used-EV buyers should still think carefully about battery condition and how the car was charged over time, because long-term ownership risk is tied to battery health and remaining capacity.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 Nissan LEAF?

At 68.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a close inspection of body panels, charging equipment, and battery-related behavior. Because this is an electric car, you also want to pay attention to how the car was used and charged, since that can affect long-term battery condition and usable range.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base S trims keep the older battery and 84-mile range, while SV and SL trims get the upgraded battery and more usable range. The base trim also has a more basic setup, including a smaller touchscreen and slower onboard charging.
• Powertrain: The LEAF uses a front-wheel-drive electric setup, and the upgraded battery for SV and SL trims raises range to 104 miles. Performance is modest, with acceleration that is not especially quick.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes front, front-side, and full-length curtain airbags, plus antilock brakes and traction and stability control. The source also notes that tech safety features like blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warning are absent.
• Infotainment: Base S trims get a 5-inch touchscreen with Nissan Connect and a rear-view camera. SV and SL trims add an upgraded 7-inch touchscreen with navigation, HD Radio, and Nissan Connect EV telematics, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not included.
• Range & charging: SV and SL trims with the larger battery are rated at 104 miles of range. The quick-charge port can bring the battery to 80% in about 30 minutes, while a 240-volt home setup can cut charging time to about 5 hours with the 6.6kW onboard charger.
• Battery health: You should check battery state-of-health, ask how often the car was DC fast charged versus charged at home, and confirm how much of the battery warranty remains. A used EV with a healthy battery and mostly home charging is usually the safer long-term bet.

Which 2016 Nissan LEAF trim should I buy?

The 2016 Nissan LEAF is offered in 3 trim levels: S, SV, SL.

Here's the short version:

• S: This is the value-focused choice if you want the lowest entry price, but it keeps the older battery and the shorter 84-mile range. It makes sense if your daily driving is short and you can charge at home, but it is the least flexible version.
• SV: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the upgraded battery, the 104-mile range, the 7-inch touchscreen with navigation, and the quick-charge port. It also gets the more efficient heating system, which helps usability in colder weather.
• SL: Choose this if you want the most equipment, including the higher-end lighting and interior upgrades, plus the available premium audio and parking-camera package. It is the most feature-rich trim, but the added gear is more about comfort and convenience than core EV usability.

The safety content also notes that blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure/frontal-collision warning systems are not included.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 Nissan LEAF?

This looks like a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you have room to shop carefully rather than rush.

• Deal availability: 35.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 92 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 68.5% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2016 Nissan LEAF safe?

The 2016 Nissan LEAF earns a four-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Poor rating in IIHS small-overlap crash tests.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard safety equipment includes front, front-side, and full-length curtain airbags, along with antilock brakes and traction and stability control. The source also notes that the LEAF’s tech safety list is thin, with blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure and frontal-collision warning systems absent. The small-overlap result is the main caveat you should keep in mind when comparing used examples.

Should I buy a 2016 Nissan LEAF or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 35.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 68.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• The 2016 model year brings the battery upgrade for SV and SL trims, raising range to 104 miles and improving everyday usability.

The bottom line: If you want the most usable first-generation LEAF, the 2016 is the better pick because of the upgraded battery and improved charging convenience. If you are especially price-sensitive and your driving needs are very short, a cheaper nearby year could still work, but you should expect less range and fewer conveniences.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.