2020 Nissan LEAF Model Review - Duluth, GA

What's New For the 2020 Nissan LEAF?

There are two versions of the Nissan LEAF for 2020, including the new LEAF Plus, which adds a more substantial, 62-kWh battery and is rated by the EPA for 215 miles of range. This is a big difference between the LEAF Plus and the standard LEAF, which has a 150-mile range. The LEAF Plus also has a more powerful motor to give it a faster zero to 60 acceleration time.

What Are the 2020 LEAF Trims & Features?

There are six available trims for the 2020 Nissan LEAF. For the regular LEAF, the trims are the base S, the SV, and the SL. For the LEAF Plus, the three trims are the S Plus, the SV Plus, and the SL Plus. All Plus models include the stronger motor and larger battery.

The S Plus trim has similar features to the upscale SL trim with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen and aluminum wheels, plus automatic climate control, auto headlamps, emergency braking, and more. The mid-level SV trim of the standard LEAF includes a Level 3 charging system, which carries a portable charge cable and a DC fast-charging port. It can be added to the base trim as an option as well.

Raw Power and Stellar Performance

Standard LEAF models employ the services of a 110-kW electric motor that makes about 147 horsepower. The LEAF Plus gets a stronger 214 horsepower output with the use of a 160-kW electric motor and a larger battery. The LEAF can be charged through hooking up to a 120-volt or 240-volt outlet. Nissan maintains that the batteries in both LEAF models have seven-hour charging times.

The DC fast-charging port is standard on all Plus trims as well as the SV and SL trims of the regular LEAF. Standard LEAF models can provide 150 miles of driving before needing a recharge. The maximum LEAF range comes from getting the S Plus trim as it's rated for 226 miles, whereas the other Plus trims are rated for 215 miles.

The 2020 LEAF Has a Long List of Safety Features

The LEAF has several driver-assistance and safety features, including standard automatic emergency braking and forward-collision warning. Available safety features include lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control while in semi-autonomous driving mode. Crash testing on the LEAF is incomplete, but it has earned a few Good scores from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety.

To get the Pro-Pilot Assist features, you'll need to step up to the SV, SV Plus, or SL trim where the Technology Package is available. The SL Plus trim includes it as standard equipment. In terms of other technology, the LEAF includes navigation, smartphone integration, and voice control that works for Bluetooth-enabled devices.