Reviews on Nissan Leaf
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2011 Nissan LEAF Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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At the risk of hyperbole, the all-new 2011 Nissan Leaf has a chance to affect history, and not just automotive history, with an impact similar to the Model T’s. The Leaf is 100% electric powered, unlike the hybrid Toyota Prius or Chevrolet Volt, and it is affordable, unlike the Tesla Rodster. Just think, a car for the masses that doesn’t require gas. Sounds revolutionary, yes?
Before we wander too far into a future fantasy without car pollution or oil wars, there are a few sobering points to discuss. The Leaf will have a range of just 100 miles, which should be fine for millions of urban drivers, but not so much for heavy commuters or those in rural areas. And even Nissan itself estimates that 40 years from now at least half the cars on the road will still have internal combustion engines, so Americans will remain hungry for petroleum.
The Leaf may not rocket us toward some utopian “World of Tomorrow,” but it sure feels like a piece of that world come to life. Nissan is currently taking reservations for the Leaf (a $99 refundable deposit is required), which will come in two trim levels, the base SV and the SL. Nissan is expected to start confirming orders in August and deliveries figure to start in December.
The Leaf will arrive as a four-door, five-seat hatchback with ample cargo room. Curvaceous edges in the front and rear and the sleek shapes of the windows and headlamps give the Leaf a sporty, futuristic look. Clearly this electric car will not be held back by space or style. Or cost, for that matter.
The Leaf's pricetag reads $32,780, but a $7,500 federal tax credit knocks that down to $25,280, and some states offer credits to knock it down further. Plus, Nissan claims the only regular maintenance the Leaf needs is replacing brake pads, and since its regenerative braking system is extra easy on the pads, maintenance costs should be minimal.
The Leaf’s power comes from a pack of 48 lithium-ion battery modules. That feeds an 80-kilowatt electric motor, which drives the front wheels and produces 106 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. The Leaf is one of the first vehicles to use lithium-ion batteries, which provide better range and acceleration than the more common nickel-metal hydride batteries.
The Leaf can be recharged by a 220-volt home outlet or a quick-charging station you can have installed in your home for about $2,200, although there are tax credits available here as well. It will take four to eight hours to charge the Leaf with an outlet, but just 30 minutes with the charging station.
If you have a preconceived notion that electric vehicles will ride like some kind of oversize golf cart, the Leaf will take care of that. It’s whisper silent, since no combustion goes on under the hood. All 207 lb-ft of torque are always available in an instant, so it has shockingly quick acceleration. It can reach a top speed of 90 mph (though driving at that rate will lower its 100-mile range). The massive battery pack is located in the center of the car, giving the Leaf sound weight distribution and cornering ability. All in all, the Leaf delivers a refined ride that easily surpasses that of most cars in this price range.
Not only is the Leaf driven by impressive technology, its cabin is loaded with it as well. The base SV will come with a navigation system to constantly monitor your location and remaining power and help ease “range anxiety,” the fear your Leaf will run out of juice and leave you stranded. The SV will also come standard with smart phone integration, allowing you to start the vehicle and control the climate and charging systems through your phone.
Other standard features on the SV include Bluetooth, cruise control, automatic temperature control, power accessories, a six-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo with auxiliary input jack and USB port, six-way manual driver’s seat, LED headlamps, and three years of roadside assistance. The SL is about $1,000 more expensive and adds a rear-view camera, automatic headlamps, and a rear spoiler solar panel for extra charging. Safety features for both trims include six airbags, Vehicle Dynamic Control with Traction Control, and a tire pressure monitoring system.
Published May 31, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 2011 Nissan LEAF
Write a reviewUser rating:
by Madelyn R
Aug 03, 2023
Charging takes a long time compared to other cars Aug 03, 2023
by Arthur M
May 18, 2023
It is wonderful to see a leaf on this market. Im happy I was able to see it now May 18, 2023
by Lee L
Feb 12, 2023
There were too many miles on the 2011 Nissan Leaf vehicleFeb 12, 2023
User rating:
by Madelyn R
Aug 03, 2023
Charging takes a long time compared to other cars Aug 03, 2023
by Arthur M
May 18, 2023
It is wonderful to see a leaf on this market. Im happy I was able to see it now May 18, 2023
by Lee L
Feb 12, 2023
There were too many miles on the 2011 Nissan Leaf vehicleFeb 12, 2023
by Romeo M
Aug 11, 2022
Although I did not purchase the vehicle yet, I am impressed with the features I saw from the listing.
I am planning to purchase the same vehicle in the future.Aug 11, 2022
by Johannes J
Apr 21, 2022
Battery only have 5 stripes,says you have 55 miles left but as soon as you go over 30 miles per hour the battery drainsApr 21, 2022
by II'd 2 N
Apr 11, 2022
A good experience for me so far with this car. Not the best option for long range travel. Definitely something you would want to do more research than this review on first.Apr 11, 2022
by Benjamin S
Mar 04, 2022
Best price but not as well kept as others we’ve seen. Mar 04, 2022
by Jeff L
May 24, 2015
We bought this Leaf for my wife to commute to work and to run around town. She originally wanted a Prius but after one drive of that car we were not impressed. It had poor power and the whole center mounting of the controls was odd. Then we drove the Leaf and BANG what a difference. I love this because I have one car that has never been in a gas station and requires so little to do to it. With past cars I always had to be nagging my wife about oil changes and she would always run the oil too long and it would end up a quart low. With this car, you do the brake fluid every once in a while and get it plugged into the computer to check the batteries. I bought an 8 year warranty, wish I could have that money back now, it was a waste, this is such a well engineered car.May 24, 2015
by Anonymous
Aug 15, 2014
Air conditioner works great. Plenty of power. Can drive around town all day, but highway speeds (65-75) deplete the batteries much more quickly, as expected. The car is a joy to drive. It's quick, nimble, quiet, and comfortable. Can't help but realize a whole lot of thoughtful engineering went into it.Aug 15, 2014
by Tim M
Oct 30, 2013
I've had my 2011 Leaf for a year now and I put over 12,000 miles on the car in that amount of time with no money spent on any kind of maintenance or fuel. I learned a lot about the car after owning it a few months. The car isn't expensive at all to charge , I didn't notice much of a difference in my electric bill. You don't need an expensive home charger installed and the car doesn't have to be charged to 100 percent everyday. The car has more interior space than most small cars and plenty of cargo space, a 15 gallon air compressor will fit in the back with hose and air tools. I was very surprised at how fast this car is . I drive this car like I would any other car, I drive the speed limit or maybe a little over . Over all I'm very happy with this car an would certainly by another one if I found the right deal. I bought my Leaf shopping on car cargurus for $21,500 with 795 miles on it. The dealer was asking $27,000, dropped it to $24,000 and I sent my offer for $21,500 , they accepted.Oct 30, 2013
by Anonymous
Jun 10, 2013
I purchased this car for $21,500 cash with only 756 miles on it. I've been driving it for 7 months now and it has 7,500 miles on it now and I'm very pleased since I spent over $3500.00 last year in fuel and so far I haven't had to purchase any .
I use this car for work and I drive roughly 70 miles round trip and the car is charged when I sleep . The car can be charged with the 120V charger that comes with the car or purchase a level II charger for around $800.00 . I get all the charge I need from the regular charger.
I was spending over $3500.00 a year in fuel in my Honda Element which just didn't seem normal when there was a car on the market that didn't use fuel. Jun 10, 2013
by Jeff L
Nov 27, 2012
This is really the first usable electric car on the market. While the Tesla Roadster was a great car, it was made for midgets and was over 100k to buy. This car is a mass produced all electric car that uses the standard for power adapters. Telsa is making a huge mistake by going with propriatry ones that only work with their cars, I think that someone will make an adapter or they will wake up and change them. If you setup a separate meter like I did the power you use is VERY cheap as the power companies are giving great prices to people with Electric cars.Nov 27, 2012
by Raoul S
Aug 19, 2011
Excellent acceleration, more upscale than expected, a bit smallish on the interior, especially the trunk. Overall fun to drive (especially on the car pool lane). Of course no need for gas stations, altough range could be better. Reality is about 70-80 miles vs. the advertised 100 miles.Aug 19, 2011
by Christopher B
Nov 27, 2010
Has some pick up in non- economy at low speed. Could almost blend in with
gasoline cars, even from behind the wheel. Range suites 70% to 95% of drivers if
people can get comfortable with the 100% electric power train. Packed with
features, to make it a very smart car. Rare but potentially dependable energy
saving LED headlightsNov 27, 2010
What users have asked
Owned nissan leaf battery
Hi.. I'm looking at nissan leafs.. And can't find in the advertisement if battery is owned or flex lease... This is misleading.. Please ask the dealers to clarify...
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Do you have 2011 Leaf at $12,499?
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Top Comparisons
Have you driven a 2011 Nissan LEAF?Compare this car
2011 Nissan LEAF Pricing
Original MSRP
$32,780 to $33,720Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.1 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.5 · Rear brake width: .63 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front and rear
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Cargo cover: hard · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Engine
Electric Charge Cord: 120 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 107 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 80 · Electric Motor Torque: 207 · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor charging time: 8 hours
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
Hybrid
Electric motor miles per charge: 73
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low battery
Lights
Headlights: LED · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer · Solar-tinted glass: front
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.1 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.5 · Rear brake width: .63 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Material: cargo area carpet · Floor Mats: front and rear
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Cargo cover: hard · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Solar panel charger: rear spoiler · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: sunglasses holder · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Engine
Electric Charge Cord: 120 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 107 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 80 · Electric Motor Torque: 207 · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor charging time: 8 hours
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
Hybrid
Electric motor miles per charge: 73
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low battery
Lights
Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: intermittent · Solar-tinted glass: front