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 affordable all-electric commuter, with a 3.33/5 user rating and a 7.00/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 9/10. Nissan’s larger battery for the SV and SL trims gives you 104 miles of range, and the quick-charge port on those trims makes day-to-day EV use easier; at the same time, the car is described as being long in the tooth, and the market now offers plenty of alternatives with similar style and substance. The good news is that the LEAF still fits buyers who value practical electric driving and lower running costs, and 31.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Is the 2016 Nissan LEAF reliable?

The 2016 Nissan LEAF is described as having about average reliability, and its electric drivetrain is backed by an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty. The battery coverage is especially relevant on this model year: SV and SL trims with the larger battery get an additional 8-year/100,000-mile capacity warranty, while S trims with the smaller battery get 5-year/60,000-mile capacity coverage. The performance notes also point to a simple EV setup with no mention of major mechanical complexity, which helps keep ownership straightforward. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is battery capacity loss, so you should pay close attention to how the car has been charged and how much usable range it still delivers.

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

At 69.7% 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 pre-purchase inspection that focuses on body repairs, charging equipment, and battery condition. Because this is an EV, you also want to understand how the car has been used: frequent DC fast charging, long periods at very high state of charge, or heavy heat exposure can all affect battery health over time. If the car still has strong range and the charging system works properly, it can be a practical commuter; if not, the value proposition drops quickly.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base S trims keep the older battery and 84-mile range, but they do get a larger touchscreen for 2016. The SV adds 17-inch alloys, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, heated power side mirrors, recycled cloth upholstery, an upgraded 7-inch touchscreen with navigation, HD Radio, Nissan Connect EV telematics, and a more efficient heating system. The SL adds automatic LED headlights, leather upholstery with heated seats front and back, foglights, and a solar panel, so the lower trims are the ones where you feel the biggest feature gaps.
• Powertrain: The LEAF uses a single electric-motor setup with front-wheel drive. Performance is modest, with 0-60 mph taking more than 10 seconds, but the battery placement under the floor helps it feel composed through turns. The larger battery improves range by 23%, and the quick-charge port can bring the battery to 80% in about 30 minutes under ideal conditions.
• Safety package: The car includes front, front-side, and full-length curtain airbags, plus antilock brakes and traction and stability control. The text also notes that tech safety features like blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure and frontal-collision warning systems are absent, so you should not expect a modern driver-assistance suite here.
• Infotainment: Base S trims get a 5-inch touchscreen with Nissan Connect and a rear-view camera. SV and SL trims move up to a 7-inch touchscreen with navigation, and the system offers Nissan Mobile Connect app integration plus Sirius satellite and HD Radio. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not included.
• Range & charging: SV and SL trims have 104 miles of range, while the base S trim has 84 miles. The larger battery pack is paired with a 30 kW capacity figure in the text, and the quick-charge port can add major convenience for road-trip top-offs or busy daily use. Home charging is still important to evaluate, especially if you rely on a standard outlet.
• Battery health: Ask for battery state-of-health information and look for evidence of normal charging habits, ideally with most charging done at home rather than repeated DC fast charging. You should also confirm how much battery warranty coverage remains, since that protection matters more on a used EV than on a conventional car.

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 play if you want the lowest entry price and can live with the older battery and 84-mile range. It still gives you a rear-view camera, keyless entry and ignition, heated seats, automatic climate control, and a larger touchscreen for 2016, but it is the trim where the biggest compromises show up.
• SV: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the larger battery, 104-mile range, a quick-charge port, the 7-inch touchscreen with navigation, Nissan Connect EV telematics, and the more efficient heating system. If you want the most balanced mix of range, convenience, and equipment, this is the one to target.
• SL: Choose this if you want the most comfort and convenience features, including automatic LED headlights, leather upholstery with heated seats front and back, foglights, and the solar panel. It is the most upscale version, but the added equipment is more about comfort and presentation than core EV usefulness.

The safety content also notes that the LEAF lacks some advanced driver-assistance features, so even the higher trims do not bring a full modern safety-tech package.

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

This is a moderate, selective-buyer market: there are enough listings to shop carefully, but you still want to compare condition and battery health closely before making an offer.

• Deal availability: 31.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 89 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 69.7% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2016 Nissan LEAF safe?

The 2016 Nissan LEAF earns a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave it a Poor rating in small-overlap crash tests, while all other IIHS tests earned Good ratings.

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

The car includes front, front-side, and full-length curtain airbags, along with antilock brakes and traction and stability control. One important caveat is the weak small-overlap result, and the text also points out that the LEAF lacks blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure and frontal-collision warning systems. That means you should treat it as a basic safety package rather than a fully equipped modern one.

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:

• 31.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 69.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• The 2016 model year improves everyday EV usability by giving the SV and SL trims a larger battery for 104 miles of range and adding a quick-charge port.

The bottom line: The 2016 LEAF makes the most sense if you want a used EV with better range and charging convenience than earlier versions, especially in SV or SL form. If you are shopping mainly on price, a lower-trim example can still work, but you should be especially careful about battery condition, accident history, and whether the range still fits your daily routine.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.