We drove a new $38,000 Nissan Leaf to see how it stacks up against Tesla and the Chevy Bolt - here's the verdict

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We drove a new $38,000 Nissan Leaf to see how it stacks up against Tesla and the Chevy Bolt - here's the verdict

Nissan Leaf

Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

The new 2018 Nissan Leaf EV.

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  • The Nissan Leaf EV is all-new for 2018.
  • Since its introduction in 2010, Nissan has sold more than 300,000 Leafs - making it the best selling EV in the world.
  • The second generation Leaf is powered by a 40 kWh lithium-ion battery pack with a range of 151 miles on a single charge.
  • Our test car also came with Nissan's optional ProPilot Assist semi-autonomous driving tech.
  • We found the Leaf to be a very pleasant and capable EV. However, the 151 miles of range is lacking when compared to its rivals.
  • The Nissan Leaf starts at $29,990 while out top-spec test car carried an as-tested-price of $37,865.

The Nissan Leaf is a true pioneer in the electric car game. The Leaf's combination of perky performance, 100-miles of range, and easy-to-use demeanor made it a popular choice for those looking for pure electric mobility. Generous government incentives also helped move cars off dealer lots. Since its introduction in 2010, Nissan has sold more than 320,000 Leafs globally - making it the best selling electric car in the world.

But alas, time and tide wait for no man.

Since 2010, the benchmark for EV performance has changed drastically. For consumers, 100 miles of range is no longer enough, especially after the release of the comparably priced 238-mile Chevrolet Bolt and the 220-mile Tesla Model 3,

(Note: Tesla's 220-mile Model 3 has not yet reached production. The company is currently only producing the longer-range 310-mile version which retails for upwards of $55,000.)

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While the Tesla Model S and Model X have set new standards for speed and utility. Albeit at a much higher price point.

So for 2018, Nissan introduced an all-new second generation Leaf. One that's better equipped to handle this latest wave of competition.

"This is the car of the future, today," Nissan North America Chairman Denis Le Vot told Business Insider in an interview at the 2018 New York Auto Show. "In that sense, it is a flagship of the company's technology."

In addition to the Leaf, Nissan plans to launch eight fully electric models by 2022, Le Vot said.

Earlier this year, Nissan dropped off a blue 2018 Nissan Leaf for us to check out. The Leaf starts at $29,990 while our top-spec SL tester started at $36,200. With options, our Tennessee-built test car carried an as-tested-price of $37,865. It should be noted that EV tax incentives could knock thousands of dollars off the sticker price depending on where you live.

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Here's a closer look at the 2018 Nissan Leaf:

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From 2010 to 2017, the Nissan Leaf sold at an unprecedented rate for an electric car.

From 2010 to 2017, the Nissan Leaf sold at an unprecedented rate for an electric car.

But with the advent of new higher mileage models likes the Chevrolet Bolt and...

But with the advent of new higher mileage models likes the Chevrolet Bolt and...
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...Tesla Model 3, it was time for Nissan to update its stalwart EV.

...Tesla Model 3, it was time for Nissan to update its stalwart EV.

For 2018, Nissan is back with the second generation Leaf EV.

For 2018, Nissan is back with the second generation Leaf EV.
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Aesthetically, there's a lot more to like about the new Leaf than its predecessor. Gone are the soft curves and funky bug-eye headlights. In their place, is a more aggressive and chiseled look.

Aesthetically, there's a lot more to like about the new Leaf than its predecessor. Gone are the soft curves and funky bug-eye headlights. In their place, is a more aggressive and chiseled look.

Overall, we found the Leaf's styling to be handsome and modern.

Overall, we found the Leaf's styling to be handsome and modern.
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Even though the new Leaf looks and feels larger, its length, width, height, and weight remain virtually unchanged from its predecessor. Even the 0.28 drag coefficient remains the same.

Even though the new Leaf looks and feels larger, its length, width, height, and weight remain virtually unchanged from its predecessor. Even the 0.28 drag coefficient remains the same.

Inside, the Leaf effortlessly blends tech with familiar Nissan touches. It's modern without feeling to futuristic or weird.

Inside, the Leaf effortlessly blends tech with familiar Nissan touches. It's modern without feeling to futuristic or weird.
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And the tech features are abundant. Leading the way is Nissan's new ProPilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system.

And the tech features are abundant. Leading the way is Nissan's new ProPilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system.

ProPilot is a camera-based system that stitches together input from the car's steering assistance and intelligent cruise control tech to create a semi-autonomous driving experience for the driver.

The system works pretty well and will keep you from swerving out of your lane. However, ProPilot purely an assistance feature, so you'll need to keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times. This is something Nissan has been very clear about.

Nissan has also been working on single-pedal operation for the Leaf. Using the new e-Pedal, Leaf owners can effectively drive without using the brake pedal.

Nissan has also been working on single-pedal operation for the Leaf. Using the new e-Pedal, Leaf owners can effectively drive without using the brake pedal.
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Instead, all you would need to do is take your foot off the gas and the regenerative braking system would stop the car while recharging the battery.

Instead, all you would need to do is take your foot off the gas and the regenerative braking system would stop the car while recharging the battery.

In front of the driver is a beautifully rendered configurable TFT display coupled with a traditional analog gauge.

In front of the driver is a beautifully rendered configurable TFT display coupled with a traditional analog gauge.
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The seven-inch touchscreen in the center stack is less impressive. The Nissan's infotainment system feels dated in design and presentation.

The seven-inch touchscreen in the center stack is less impressive. The Nissan's infotainment system feels dated in design and presentation.

However, the system was fairly easy to use. The availability of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also helps improve the user experience.

However, the system was fairly easy to use. The availability of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also helps improve the user experience.
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Our test car came with an energy efficient, seven-speaker Bose premium sound system. We found the sound quality to be solid, but far from industry leading.

Our test car came with an energy efficient, seven-speaker Bose premium sound system. We found the sound quality to be solid, but far from industry leading.

The Leaf boasts room for five passengers.

The Leaf boasts room for five passengers.
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And 23 cubic feet of cargo. Incredibly, both cargo and passenger volumes remain unchanged from the outgoing model.

And 23 cubic feet of cargo. Incredibly, both cargo and passenger volumes remain unchanged from the outgoing model.

But the biggest change happened under the hood.

But the biggest change happened under the hood.
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The old Leaf's 80 kW electric motor has been replaced by a more powerful 110 kW unit that produces 147 horsepower. The new car also gets a larger 40 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

The old Leaf's 80 kW electric motor has been replaced by a more powerful 110 kW unit that produces 147 horsepower. The new car also gets a larger 40 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

The result is a major improvement in range and acceleration. Car and Driver reported 0-60 mph time of just 7.4 seconds. That's a significant improvement over the gen one car's 10.4 second time.

The result is a major improvement in range and acceleration. Car and Driver reported 0-60 mph time of just 7.4 seconds. That's a significant improvement over the gen one car's 10.4 second time.
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Range has also improved from 107 miles to 151 miles.

Range has also improved from 107 miles to 151 miles.

According to Nissan, the Leaf's battery can be replenished in 7.5 hours using a 220v charger. A quick charge that takes 40 minutes to deliver an 80% charge is also possible.

According to Nissan, the Leaf's battery can be replenished in 7.5 hours using a 220v charger. A quick charge that takes 40 minutes to deliver an 80% charge is also possible.
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Overall, the Nissan Leaf delivered a very impressive driving experience. It was comfortable, quiet, and ultra-smooth. As with every EV we've tested, acceleration is punchy off the line with maximum torque available on demand.

Overall, the Nissan Leaf delivered a very impressive driving experience. It was comfortable, quiet, and ultra-smooth. As with every EV we've tested, acceleration is punchy off the line with maximum torque available on demand.

The verdict.

The verdict.

The new Leaf is a solid second effort from Nissan. The Leaf looks terrific while its interior fit and finish convey an almost premium air about it. It's also packed to the gills with infotainment and driver's assistance technology.

However, there remains one glaring fault with the Leaf, and it's the range. At 151 miles, it's certainly a major improvement over the outgoing model. But, range anxiety is still a problem anything less than 200 miles on a single charge is no longer competitive. As a result, both Tesla's Model 3 and Chevy's Bolt have aimed for 220 and 238 respectively. Both offer comparably priced models. Although the Model 3 tends to live at the higher end of the pricing spectrum.

A larger 60 kWh battery pack with 225 miles of range is rumored to be on the way. If that's the case, it's an option that can't come quickly enough.

Regardless, Nissan has built a very good car and even with its decided lack of range, deserves a close look if you're in the market for an EV.

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