2015 Nissan LEAF Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$29,010 to $35,120

Original MSRP

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expert review

4.3

avg user rating

(17 reviews)
2015 Nissan LEAF Preview summaryImage

The concept of an all-electric automobile has been around and dismissed for over 150 years. Nissan’s 2015 Leaf, however, is one of a host of efforts on the part of automakers worldwide to clean up their collective act in this era of eco-friendliness. And it's a success story on top of it all.

The groundbreaking (sort of) Leaf, with nearly the same aesthetic shock value as the earliest U.S. versions of VW’s famous Beetle, remains an affordable electric-driven subcompact 5-door hatchback boasting some 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seatbacks folded and surprisingly roomy seating for 5. Lauded by environmentalists in the U.S. since 2011, this downsized people hauler returns in 3 trims, the base S, the midlevel SV and the top-shelf SL, each of which remains available only with front-wheel drive (FWD). Pricewise, the Leaf competes with the likes of Chevy’s Spark EV, Ford’s Focus Electric and FIAT’s 500e.

Some slight changes in the availability of standard features for 2014 Leaf editions are complemented for the 2015 model year by a switch in the Leaf’s basic exterior color scheme from Blue Ocean to Morningsky Blue, as well as the introduction of standard cruise control to the base S trim. Additionally, for 2015 the SV and SL trims get updates to the EV-IT system, allowing hands-free texting and voice destination entry into their standard navigation display. Oh, and there have been whispers that this electrifying hatchback might get a hefty cut in its MSRP for the 2015 model year.

The returning 80-kilowatt electric motor that powers the latest Leaf iterations fits with the standard 1-speed direct-drive transmission for 107 hp and 187 lb-ft of torque. Depending on the trim chosen, regenerative braking and a rechargeable 24-kWh (kilowatt-per-hour) lithium ion battery pack keep the motor juiced up for a range of some 84 miles on a 100% battery charge… in a perfect world. Actual travel range, needless to say, again depends on average speed, ambient temperature, driving conditions and traffic. Thus cruising at highway speeds (60+ mph) for extended periods in cold weather, for instance, will obviously lessen this range.

Now things get a little complicated. Although each 2015 Leaf trim boasts an onboard recharging system, said system aboard the entry-level S trim is a 3.3-kilowatt charger (without the regenerative braking feature, by the way) and takes, oh, about forever to recharge. Both the SV and the flagship SL, on the other hand, flaunt a 6.6-kilowatt charger (along with the aforementioned regenerative braking technology) that’ll have the battery juiced up to 100% capacity in about 4 hours using the available 240-volt charging station. Additionally, a standard (in the SL) or optional (in lower trims) quick-charge port uses a unique high-capacity power source to get an 80% charge in a touted-but-not-real-world-confirmed 30 minutes.

The bottom line in all this techno-speak is that the 2015 Leaf allegedly gets the equivalent of approximately 113 mpg (average) in fossil-fuel terms.

Anyhow, standard bling on and in the base S trim includes, besides the new-for-2015 cruise control, 16-inch steel wheels, a rear spoiler and heated power-adjustable mirrors outside, and cloth upholstery, heated front seats and full power accessories inside. Also adorning this pint-size hatchback are such conveniences as tilt-wheel steering and a rear-view camera, while standard comforts include climate control and a heated steering wheel. Also, Bluetooth technology again comes standard, as does a single-CD player with 4 speakers, satellite radio and auxiliary audio input.

To all this, the up-ticked SV adds, besides the aforementioned 6.6-kilowatt charging system, 16-inch alloy wheels, those upgraded-for-2015 EV-IT techno-goodies, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and a “B-mode” transmission for the power-returning regenerative braking system. Additional standard perks also include a navigation system with 7-inch touchscreen display, a more efficient cabin heating arrangement and a 6-speaker audio upgrade boasting Pandora radio integration for your iPhone.

The top-shelf SL, meantime, throws standard 17-inch alloy wheels into the mix, along with leather upholstery, a standard quick-charging port and an integrated solar panel in the rear spoiler for boosting power to accessories, as well as a cargo cover.

One notable option that returns for both the SV and SL trims is the Premium package, flaunting a 7-speaker Bose premium audio system and a 360-degree parking-assist camera.

Finally, standard safety equipment for the 2015 Leaf lineup includes 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags, and a remote antitheft alarm. The SL, in keeping with its loftier aim (and price), also sports standard dusk-sensing LED headlights and front fog/driving lights.

Published May 31, 2022 by Eric Tallberg

User reviews for 2015 Nissan LEAF

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User rating:
by Jason B
Feb 13, 2024
The LEAF is luxurious compared to most compact cars. Stylish interior, comfortable seats, ample leg room, and solid construction, not a tin can that echoes and squeaks. Very quiet, like all EVs. Compared to a typical gas car at 12,000 miles/year, 30 miles per gallon and $3.00/gallon, saves 12,000 / 30 * $3 = $1,200 / year on gas. Electricity to run the car costs about 1/3 of that. We have a solar array, so driving costs us almost nothing. We charge the car in our garage 99.9% of the time, so no time wasted on gas/charging stops. Almost no maintenance: No oil changes, emission tests, tune-ups, exhaust system, radiator, transmission, etc. Ive had my 2013 LEAF for 7 years and the only repairs Ive done so far are new tires and replace worn out tie-rod ends ($70 DYI). My 2013 is 10 years old now and still has about 85% of its original battery capacity. Not all of them do this well, but Ive followed rule-of-thumb for Lithium batteries and keep it between 40% and 80% as much as possible (run it down to around 40% before recharging). The body style I would rate as OK on the 1st gen LEAF. The 2nd gen looks cooler. Fantastic car for city driving. This one only has a 90-mile range, so not convenient for long road trips. We considered a longer-range LEAF (150 or 226 miles) for our second car, but decided it was smarter to save $10,000 on a car that serves 99.9% of our needs, and rent a car for a few $hundred if/when we want to do a long road trip (which is rare). We found that we can rent a Tesla Model 3 for $39/day. So we now own two 1st gen LEAFs. Note that the LEAF battery is air-cooled, which means less cost and maintenance for us in the north, but it wont perform as well in hot climates. If you do a lot of driving on 90F/32C days, dont expect to get rated range. Many EVs have a radiator to cool the battery, so theyll perform better than the LEAF in southern India or Miami.Feb 13, 2024
by Scott B
Oct 30, 2023
The Leaf is a great little car for a very specific market. The overall reliability is good except for the battery. The battery is know to degrade due to the lack of thermal management. Luckily Nissan provides a battery health gauge on the dashboard. I wouldn’t recommend buying one that is below 10 bars of battery health. The range when new was around 90 miles but at 10 bars of health or less it will have less range. If you have a short commute under 30 miles then this car would be great for you. It can have heated seats and a 360 camera. Oct 30, 2023
by Anonymous
Oct 28, 2023
I like the car a lot. More than I thought I would. No gas needed. Its the best. I dont know much about electric cars, This is my first. So I cant really compare it. Its a car that we use to do our everyday shorter trips. Oct 28, 2023

2015 Nissan LEAF Pricing

Original MSRP
$29,010 to $35,120
Price range
$5,200 to $5,899
Average price on CG
$5,200
YoY price change
$5,785 to $5,200

Trims & 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: diversity · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 4

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · 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

Floor Material: cargo area carpet · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · 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: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 6

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 7.94

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: 187 · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor charging time: 8 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 84

Exterior Features

Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment screen size: 4.3 in.

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low battery

Lights

Headlights: auto delay off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · 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

Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheels: steel

Wheels

Wheel covers: full

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: intermittent · 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 · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · Pandora internet radio · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · 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

Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · 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: phone · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 6

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 7.94

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: 187 · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor charging time: 5 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 84

Exterior Features

Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment screen size: 7 in.

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low battery

Lights

Headlights: auto delay off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · 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: tire sealant

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 wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: intermittent · 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: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · Pandora internet radio · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · 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

Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather

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 · 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

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 7.94

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: 187 · Electric motor charger: DC fast charging · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor charging time: 5 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 84

Exterior Features

Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment screen size: 7 in.

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low battery

Lights

Headlights: auto delay off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather-trimmed

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 wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: intermittent · Solar-tinted glass: front

See all trims (3)