Used 2016 Nissan LEAF for Sale nearNew York, NY

Is the 2016 Nissan LEAF a good car?

The 3.33/5 user rating and 7.00/10 expert rating point to a car that makes the most sense for you if you value everyday EV practicality over broad all-around polish. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 9/10. The 2016 LEAF’s updated battery setup gives the SV and SL trims 104 miles of range, and the SL adds a standard quick-charge port, which makes it easier to live with as an all-electric commuter. At the same time, the overview makes clear that the LEAF is now up against plenty of newer all-electric alternatives, so it fits you best if you want a straightforward, range-improved EV rather than the freshest design in the segment. Good and great deals account for 33.7% of listings.

Is the 2016 Nissan LEAF reliable?

The 2016 LEAF is described as having about average reliability, and the expert notes also point to a model that has been around long enough to feel dated in some areas. The battery update helps everyday usability, and the cost-effectiveness discussion highlights an 8-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty, plus an additional battery capacity warranty for 2016. That warranty coverage is a meaningful cushion for used buyers, but you should still think carefully about battery condition and charging history because long-term ownership risk is tied closely to how the battery has aged and been used.

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

At 71.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important. You should start with a vehicle-history report, then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on body repairs, charging equipment, and battery condition. Because this is an EV, you should also pay close attention to how the car has been charged over time and whether the range still matches your daily needs.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base S trims keep the older battery and a smaller 84-mile range, while SV and SL trims get the larger battery and more useful equipment. The base car also uses a 5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims add a larger display and more convenience features.
• 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 larger battery improves range and makes the car more usable for daily driving.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes front, front-side, and full-length curtain airbags, plus antilock brakes and traction and stability control. The tech discussion also notes that blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure and frontal-collision warning systems are absent.
• Infotainment: The base car gets 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 part of the setup.
• Range & charging: SV and SL trims deliver 104 miles of range. The larger battery pack is paired with a 30-kW battery capacity figure in the cost discussion, and the quick-charge port can bring the battery to 80% in about 30 minutes. A 240-volt home setup can cut charging time to about 5 hours with the faster onboard charger.
• Battery health: For a used LEAF, battery state-of-health matters more than almost anything else. You want to know how much usable range remains, whether the car was mostly charged at home or frequently fast-charged, and how much warranty coverage is still left on the battery.

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 cheapest way into the LEAF, but it keeps the older battery and the shorter 84-mile range. It makes sense if you only need basic EV commuting and want the lowest entry price.
• SV: This is the best-value trim. It adds the larger battery, 104 miles of range, a 7-inch touchscreen with navigation, Nissan Connect EV telematics, a more efficient heating system, and the quick-charge port. If you want the most balanced mix of range and equipment, this is the trim to target.
• SL: This is the most feature-rich version, adding automatic LED headlights, leather upholstery with heated front and rear seats, foglights, and a solar panel. It suits you if you want the most comfort and convenience features, though the extra equipment is less important than the battery and charging upgrades on the SV.

The safety content also notes that the LEAF’s crash performance includes a poor result in small-overlap testing, so even higher trims do not erase the need to check the car carefully.

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 should still compare condition and equipment closely before making an offer.

• Deal availability: 33.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 95 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 71.6% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2016 Nissan LEAF safe?

The 2016 Nissan LEAF managed only four-star ratings from NHTSA overall, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave it a Poor rating in 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 tech discussion also notes that blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure and frontal-collision warning systems are not part of the package. The main caveat is the poor small-overlap result, which is the kind of weakness you should keep in mind if safety is a top priority.

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:

• 33.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 71.6% 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: You should lean toward the 2016 if you want the improved range and charging convenience that make the LEAF easier to live with as a used EV. If you’re more price-sensitive and your daily driving is short, a cheaper nearby year can still work, but the 2016’s battery update makes it the smarter pick for buyers who want a little more real-world flexibility.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.