Used 2020 Nissan LEAF for Sale nearColumbus, OH

Is the 2020 Nissan LEAF a good car?

Yes — the 2020 Nissan LEAF earns a 4.83/5 user rating and a 6.83/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its affordability, practicality, comfortable interior, zippy performance, and low maintenance needs. The overview also points to strong handling and a city-friendly personality, which fits a buyer who wants an easy-to-live-with EV for daily driving rather than long road trips. The main trade-offs are poor value for money and limited range confidence for longer drives, especially when charging plans matter. With 28.4% of listings priced as good or great deals, you have some room to shop carefully.

Is the 2020 Nissan LEAF reliable?

Owners rate it 4.83/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction. The user feedback also points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with low maintenance needs and a car that many drivers feel they can count on for everyday use.

The expert drive notes reinforce that impression by describing the LEAF as a practical, easy-to-live-with EV with usable charging and a quiet, composed driving experience. It also notes that the first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is battery aging, which can reduce range over time and make condition checks especially important.

What should I look for when buying a used 2020 Nissan LEAF?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the report carefully, then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on battery condition, charging behavior, and overall wear. Because range and charging are central to LEAF ownership, make sure the car’s real-world condition matches your daily driving needs. If you plan to rely on public charging, confirm that the charging setup works properly and that the car has been maintained consistently.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S trim leaves out some equipment that appears on higher trims, including the larger wheel and feature upgrades that help the car feel more complete.
• Powertrain: The standard setup uses a single front-mounted electric motor with 147 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque; Plus trims use a stronger 214-hp setup with 251 lb-ft and a larger battery.
• Safety package: Nissan Safety Shield 360 includes forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control is standard on the SV, SV Plus, and SL Plus, while ProPilot Assist is reserved for the SL Plus.
• Infotainment: All trims get the 8-inch touchscreen plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SV models add factory navigation with NissanConnect services, and the SL Plus adds ProPilot Assist-related tech and premium audio.
• Range & charging: The standard battery is rated at 149 miles of range, while Plus trims reach up to 226 miles; the larger battery is 62 kWh. DC fast charging can take about 45 minutes to reach roughly 80 percent on the Plus, and home charging takes 7.5 hours on the regular LEAF or 11.5 hours on the Plus.
• Battery health: Check battery state-of-health carefully, since used-EV range depends heavily on how the car was charged and driven. Favor cars that spent most of their life on home charging, and verify how much of the battery warranty remains before you buy.

Which 2020 Nissan LEAF trim should I buy?

The 2020 Nissan LEAF is offered in 5 trim levels: S, SV, S Plus, SV Plus, SL Plus.

Here's the short version:

• S: This is the entry point, but it is the least compelling choice if you want the LEAF to feel fully equipped. It makes sense only if price is your top priority and you are comfortable with the most basic version of the car.
• SV: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds useful everyday equipment, including factory navigation and NissanConnect services, while keeping the LEAF’s core strengths intact.
• S Plus: This is the trim to target if range matters most. It combines the larger battery with the longest estimated range, making it the smartest pick for buyers who want the most usable EV capability for the money.
• SV Plus: This trim adds the bigger battery and more range than the standard SV, while also bringing more comfort and convenience than the S Plus.
• SL Plus: This is the most feature-rich LEAF, with ProPilot Assist, the Bose stereo, heated steering wheel, LED headlights, an eight-way power driver’s seat, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. It suits you best if you want the most equipment and are willing to pay for it.

The safety package is strong across the lineup, but adaptive cruise control is not standard on every trim, and ProPilot Assist is limited to the SL Plus.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2020 Nissan LEAF?

The market looks moderate and selective, so you should shop with a clear target and compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 28.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 95 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 81.1% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2020 Nissan LEAF safe?

The 2020 Nissan LEAF has not been rated by NHTSA, but the IIHS has given the 2018 Leaf top Good ratings in the moderate front overlap, side, and head restraint/seat tests.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard and includes forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and auto high beams. The 2020 model also adds four new airbags and louder pedestrian and reverse warning sounds. Adaptive cruise control is standard on the SV, SV Plus, and SL Plus, while ProPilot Assist with active steering is limited to the SL Plus. The main caveat is that crash testing is incomplete for this generation, so you should lean on the standard safety equipment and the vehicle history when shopping used.

Should I buy a 2020 Nissan LEAF or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2020 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2020 if:

• 28.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Owners rate it 4.83/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds more standard safety equipment and better range options, including the Plus models.

Consider the 2019 if:

• It adds useful updates while keeping the LEAF’s practical strengths intact.

The bottom line: The 2020 LEAF is the better pick if you want the stronger safety setup, broader trim mix, and the improved range story that makes the car easier to live with. If you are mainly shopping on price, the 2019 can still make sense as a lower-cost alternative with similar everyday usefulness.

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