Used 2016 Nissan LEAF for SaleNationwide

Is the 2016 Nissan LEAF a good car?

The 2016 Nissan LEAF is a mixed but appealing choice if you want a simple all-electric hatchback with better everyday usability than earlier versions. It earns a 3.3/5 user rating and a 7.00/10 expert rating, and the strongest case for it is that Nissan improved the SV and SL trims with a larger battery and more usable range for buyers who care more about practicality than the newest design. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 9/10. That said, the source also notes that the LEAF is showing its age, with competitors matching it for style and substance. Good and great deals make up 41.1% of listings, which helps keep it relevant for value-focused shoppers.

Is the 2016 Nissan LEAF reliable?

The 2016 Nissan LEAF’s reliability picture is best described as average, with the main ownership question centered on battery condition rather than the basic electric drivetrain. The expert data says reliability has been rated as about average, and it also points to an 8-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty plus an additional battery warranty for 2016. The performance notes also emphasize that the quick-charge port can make the car much easier to live with if you regularly need to recover range quickly. If you buy used, your long-term risk is mostly tied to battery capacity loss and how the car was charged over time.

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 battery condition, charging equipment, and any signs of prior body repair. Because this is an EV, you should also pay close attention to how the car was used day to day: frequent DC fast charging, repeated deep discharges, and poor storage habits can all affect long-term battery health. If possible, confirm the battery’s state of health and make sure the charging setup matches your routine.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base S trims keep the older battery and 84-mile range, while SV and SL trims get the larger battery, more range, and more convenience equipment. The base trim also uses a smaller 5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims add a larger display and more upscale features.
• Powertrain: The LEAF uses a front-wheel-drive electric setup, and the source notes that acceleration is modest rather than quick. Range improves meaningfully with the larger battery, which is the bigger story for this model year.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes a rear-view camera, while the source also notes that blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure and frontal-collision warning systems are absent. The available 360-degree camera system is tied to the Premium Package on SV and SL trims.
• Infotainment: The base trim 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 mentioned.
• Range & charging: SV and SL trims are rated at 104 miles of range, and the quick-charge port can bring the battery to 80% in about 30 minutes. The source also notes that the base S trim has the older battery and a slower onboard charger.
• Battery health: You should check battery state-of-health, ask how often the car was charged at home versus on DC fast chargers, and confirm how much battery warranty coverage remains. For used EVs, battery condition matters as much as mileage.

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, but it keeps the older battery and shorter range. It does include basics like a rear-view camera and keyless entry, but it is the least compelling choice if you want the improved usability that defines this model year.
• SV: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the larger battery, the 7-inch touchscreen with navigation, the upgraded charging hardware, and more cold-weather convenience. It is the trim that best captures the 2016 LEAF’s improved range and everyday practicality.
• SL: This is the most feature-rich version, adding leather upholstery, LED headlights, foglights, and the solar panel. It makes sense if you want the most equipment, but the source suggests the extra tech is less important than the battery and charging upgrades.

The safety content also notes that the Leaf lacks some advanced driver-assistance features, so even higher trims do not fully close that gap.

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

This looks like a buyer-friendly market if you want a used 2016 LEAF, especially if you are comparing listings carefully and can verify battery condition.

• Deal availability: 41.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 90 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 72.2% 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.

Standard safety equipment includes front, front-side, and full-length curtain airbags, plus antilock brakes and traction and stability control. The source also notes that blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure and frontal-collision warning systems are not part of the standard tech mix. The main caveat is the poor small-overlap result, which is worth weighing 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:

• 41.1% 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.
• Nissan gave the SV and SL trims a battery upgrade that raised range to 104 miles, which is the key improvement for this year.

The bottom line: The 2016 LEAF is the better pick if you want the improved battery and charging convenience without paying for a newer EV. If you are shopping on a tighter budget, a carefully inspected example can make sense, but you should be especially selective about battery condition and accident history.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.