There are two new buttons in the 2018 Nissan LEAF and they are “Eco” and “ePedal.” The Eco button can be paired with any and all driver settings. Press that little green button and the throttle response all but dies, however, you’ll definitely be using the LEAF’s battery to the utmost and getting the largest range from it.
Now, the ePedal is the interesting one here: While Nissan is not the first to use this system, they are the first to brand it as something specific and allow drivers to select this method of electric driving.
So, select ePedal and the entire drive experience will change. Throttle response is dulled slightly, but what’s most interesting is the regenerative and friction braking used to bring the car to a complete stop, without you ever having to touch the brake. That’s right, you can bring the LEAF to a complete stop (if you can judge the distance correctly) without ever touching the brake pedal. This also helps with much more spirited driving as lifting your foot off the throttle will slow the car down without you have to move your foot between pedals. Creates a much more dynamic drive, for sure.
2018 Nissan LEAF
2018 Nissan LEAF
2018 Nissan LEAF
Brake lights will illuminate in the 2018 Nissan LEAF when ePedal is engaged as it is quite a severe brake that happens. And the lights will stay on when the car is at a compete stop (at a light for example), and you simply have to press the throttle to get moving again, as there is no creep mode in ePedal either.
Of note: Parking with ePedal engaged is a pain in the butt. The lack of a creep mode in drive or reverse really makes for a jerky embarrassing park job. Trust me. I know.
Now, in terms of driving, I really enjoyed my time in the 2018 Nissan LEAF. I’m a hard sell when it comes to EVs and hybrids. I like to drive. I like power. I like speed. And those things usually aren’t associated with EVs and definitely not with hybrids. However, Nissan has managed to make the new LEAF fun.
In terms of power, they upped the battery size from 30kWh to 40kWh, which means power jumped from 107 horsepower to 147, and torque from 187 lb-ft to 236 lb-ft. For a vehicle its size, that’s quite the change. And it’s noticeable. The larger battery also means longer range: The previous generation LEAF saw a best case scenario of about 160km, but this latest generation could potentially see you driving for 242km, making it much more “livable.”
Despite the larger battery, interior space has not changed and the LEAF still has a decent backseat and sizable trunk, as well. Seats are comfortable and heated front and rear (as well as a heated steering wheel) are both available on the two upper trim levels. Oh, and the LEAF comes equipped with its own portable charging plug for Lvl 1 and Lvl 2 chargers, which is a huge deal as Lvl 2 charging can see the LEAF do an 80% fill in just 30 minutes.
Now, the other interesting feature in the 2018 Nissan LEAF is the addition of ProPILOT. Essentially, this is Nissan’s first foray into semi-autonomous driving. Through the use of radar and cameras, the LEAF can and will “drive itself” for 15-second increments at least, as long as the weather is clear and the lines on the road are visible. It’s all a bit finicky, but it comes down to being a great tool to use in stop-and-go traffic to keep you from possibly rear-ending the car in front or drifting into the next lane should you find yourself THAT bored.
Of course, there are safety measures in place, so you can’t actually take a nap behind the wheel while ProPILOT is engaged. After 10-15 seconds the car will ask you via a graphic in the dash to put your hands back on the wheel and it has to feel feedback (you pulling on the wheel, not just touching it). If that doesn’t happen, a series of increasingly panicked alarms will go off over the course of another 15 seconds. Then a final siren-like wail will sound before the LEAF pulsates the brake three times (with the intention of possibly waking you up), before it will bring the car gently to a stop and turn the hazards on. Throughout all of this, as long as the lines on the road are visible, it will keep you on the road, even if there is a slight curve.
Honestly, the ProPILOT is just a glorified laser-guided cruise control. Which, again, is great for stop-and-go traffic. It is NOT an excuse to text while driving or do anything else you shouldn’t be doing behind the wheel. The idea of autonomous driving makes me imagine a future of lazy, untrained drivers who rely heavily on their vehicle’s gadgets instead of their own ability behind the wheel … but I digress.
The 2018 Nissan LEAF has grown up in all the right ways. Gone are the gangly, awkward teenage years. The LEAF has entered young adulthood with the right amount of swag and knowledge to take on the “real world.”
With a starting price of just under $36k (all the way up to $42k for the top trim SL), the Nissan LEAF is perfectly situated in price and range, especially with the various provincial incentives lined up. Of note: Buying an EV in Ontario could see you saving up to $14,000. So, basically, you buy a LEAF and get a Micra + extra spending money.
2018 Nissan LEAF
Price as tested (before taxes): $41,998.00
Configuration: Centre-mounted battery, FWD
Engine/transmission: 40kWh li-ion battery
Power: 147 horsepower, 236 lb-ft
Fuel economy: 242km range
Warranty (basic): 3 year/60,000km
Competition: Chevrolet Bolt, Ford Focus EV, Tesla Model 3, Hyundai IONIQ
Related links:
Nissan Canada