Leaf generations

grogi

Could you guys make a short summary of the Leaf generations?

Which one to get, which to avoid and how to tell which is which?

1.0, 1.5, 1.75?!

n97 mini

1.0 2011 to late 2013: 24kw, Japanese built, light coloured interior, inefficient heater. Eco mode must be selected by putting it in drive twice each time you start.
1.5 2014 to 2016: 24kw Sunderland built, dark interior, more efficient heater (heat pump), Eco mode button which means Eco mode can be selected by default. New B mode which makes regen more noticeable.
1.75(?) late 2016: Sunderland built, 30kw.

Japanese model is probably the best built, and has slightly different gearing which (I think) means marginally better acceleration at the expense of top speed.

There is no best model to go for due to price. Sure, a 30kw will go further but it costs 4 times as much as a 2011 model.

The very late built 2013+ is more efficient, more efficient motor, electrics and a bit lighter. More efficient heater.

Leaf can be ordered in the light interior colour but are rare. Easiest way to tell is that the original Leaf had just Auto and AC button on the climate control, the updated model has Heat + AC and Auto.

If you don't need max range then efficiency isn't a huge deal but the more efficient , the more you save, though compared to diesel, you'd save a fortune.

The Original leaf had most of the extras. The updated version top spec included heated seats and steering including heated rear seats. The Climate control timer activates the heated seats provided the switch is in the on position, very convenient. The top spec also included leather seats. Heated seats and steering could be added as extras to the SV Leaf, not sure about the basic XE trim, the top spec is the SVE, it's got everything including the excellent LED lights.

There 2016 moved to Nissan connect from carwings, the system that controls remote activation of heat/ac and charging activation. And a 30 Kwh battery was offered as an extra.

Probably the greatest thing about the current 24 Kwh Gen (2014+) was the much improved battery.

A new battery can be installed once it reaches 75% capacity for 5,500 installed with the current gen 24 Kwh battery, it might seem a lot but the car should go a good few years more. If you look at the prius NiMh 1 Kwh battery, it will cost you 2,500 installed. Makes the leaf battery seem dirt cheap by comparison.

The current Gen also has better handling, it corners well and rides good on 17" and probably better on 16" it does feel heavy when you drive it on but it is pretty good to drive especially on windy back roads with all that instant torque.

Oh and there are two different chargers available for the 2014+ 3.3 Kw and 6.6 Kw, the 6.6 Kw is very convenient if you don't need to charge as fast as possible but can get a decent charge in 2 hrs, it means not having to spend time at fast chargers a lot, just come back to the car and drive away.

The 2011- late 2013 has 3.3 Kw charger only.

n97 mini

Didn't realise 6.6kw was only on the new ones. It'll charge the battery at a rate of around 30% per hour, which is very handy for trips to a supermarket with charge point.

grogi

Deleted User wrote: »

The very late built 2013+ is more efficient, more efficient motor, electrics and a bit lighter. More efficient heater.

So, this would be "facelifted" leaf (looking solely at the A/C console):



While this the old version...

Deleted User wrote: »

Oh and there are two different chargers available for the 2014+ 3.3 Kw and 6.6 Kw, the 6.6 Kw is very convenient if you don't need to charge as fast as possible but can get a decent charge in 2 hrs, it means not having to spend time at fast chargers a lot, just come back to the car and drive away.

Yep, I know about the different AC chargers and different capacity...

Thanks guys.


I guess next year I will start looking for the 24kWh, 6.6kW facelifted one... :] Would it be beneficial to hold off until March?

Yeah that's right above, so you can tell the two different generations apart now.

Waiting until March ? not sure it would make much difference but it could give you a chance to save up for something a bit better if you can.

oinkely

There's nearly always a pic of the steering wheel in the ads. Gen 1 has no 'eco' button on the right of the steering wheel. Gen 1.5 does.