Used 2016 Nissan LEAF for Sale nearNew York, NY

Is the 2016 Nissan LEAF a good car?

The 2016 Nissan LEAF is a mixed but practical choice, with a 3.33/5 user rating and a 7.00/10 expert rating that point to solid appeal for the right buyer. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 9/10. The overview frames it as an affordable all-electric car that makes everyday commuting more practical, especially because the SV and SL trims add 104 miles of range and the SL gets a standard quick-charge port. That said, the expert summary also makes clear that competitors have caught up on style and substance, so its value is more about straightforward EV usefulness than standout design. 32.2% 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 the expert material backs that up with a focus on practical ownership rather than standout durability. The performance notes emphasize that the quick-charge port improves usability, while the cost-effectiveness section highlights an 8-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty and an additional battery capacity warranty for 2016. That extra battery coverage is especially relevant if you’re shopping used, because battery condition is one of the biggest long-term ownership variables on an older EV. For used buyers, the main risk is that battery health and charging habits can have a bigger impact on ownership satisfaction than the rest of the car.

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

At 72.2% 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 older EV, you’ll want to pay close attention to how the car has been charged over time and whether it still delivers the range you need in daily use.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S trim keeps the older battery and its 84-mile range, while the SV and SL add the larger battery and more usable range. The base trim also uses a smaller 5-inch touchscreen and a slower onboard charger, so it gives up convenience features that matter in daily use.
• Powertrain: The LEAF uses a single electric-motor setup with front-wheel drive. Performance is modest rather than quick, but the larger battery improves range and makes the car more usable for commuting.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes a rear-view camera, while the broader safety suite includes antilock brakes plus traction and stability control. The tech content notes that blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure and frontal-collision warning systems are absent.
• Infotainment: The base S gets a 5-inch touchscreen with Nissan Connect, while SV and SL trims move to a 7-inch touchscreen with navigation, HD Radio, and Nissan Connect EV telematics. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not part of the setup.
• Range & charging: The SV and SL trims deliver 104 miles of range. The quick-charge port can bring the battery to 80% in about 30 minutes, and the 6.6kW onboard charger can cut a 240-volt charge to about 5 hours. The battery capacity is 30kW on SV and SL trims.
• Battery health: On a used EV, battery state-of-health matters more than odometer miles alone. You should look for evidence of mostly home charging, limited repeated DC fast charging, and enough remaining battery warranty to reduce your risk if capacity has dropped faster than expected.

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’s also the most compromised. You get the older battery with 84 miles of range, a slower onboard charger, and a smaller 5-inch touchscreen, so it makes the most sense only if your driving is very short and you can charge at home.
• SV: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the larger battery, 104 miles of range, a 7-inch touchscreen with navigation, HD Radio, Nissan Connect EV telematics, and the quicker charging setup. It also gets the more efficient heating system, which helps in colder weather.
• SL: This is the most feature-rich trim, adding leather upholstery, heated seats front and back, automatic LED headlights, foglights, and the solar panel. It makes sense if you want the most comfort and convenience, but the added equipment is more about luxury than core EV usefulness.

The safety package includes a rear-view camera on all trims, while the optional 360-degree camera system is bundled with the Premium Package on SV and SL models.

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

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

• Deal availability: 32.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 90 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 72.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $5,989.36, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

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 rating all other tests Good. It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

The safety equipment includes front, front-side, and full-length curtain airbags, along with antilock brakes and traction and stability control. The named driver-assistance suite is notably limited, and the tech content specifically points out the absence of blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure and frontal-collision warning systems. The small-overlap result is the main caveat 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:

• 32.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 72.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• The expert summary says Nissan increased battery capacity for the 2016 SV and SL trims to 104 miles of range and added a quick-charge port for the mid-level SV.

The bottom line: The 2016 LEAF makes the most sense if you want a low-cost used EV with better range than earlier versions and you can live within its commuting-focused limits. If you’re shopping on a tighter budget, a cheaper nearby year may still work, but the 2016’s larger battery and quicker charging make it the more practical pick when you can find a clean example at the right price.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.