The 2023 Nissan Leaf Looks Different but Is More of the Same

• The 2023 Nissan Leaf gets exterior styling updates that extend to the front fascia, rear under diffuser and rear spoiler.
  

• Nissan says these styling enhancements work to better the Leaf’s aerodynamic efficiency.

• The 2023 Nissan Leaf will be priced similarly to current models.

The Nissan Leaf might not have the longest range, quickest 0-60 time, or most opulent interior, but it’s not supposed to be any of that. Nissan launched its Leaf all the way back in 2010 as a 2011 model and helped bring modern electric vehicles into the mainstream, racking up more than 550,000 global sales.

Of course, the market has changed significantly over the last decade and Nissan’s Leaf isn’t the only option for battery-electric fans. Though, Nissan’s Leaf is still chugging along and sees some styling updates for 2023.

The improved Leaf gets a new front fascia, a new spoiler, and some other minor styling changes, and they are much more than cosmetic. According to Nissan, the second-generation Leaf’s styling enhancements help it better cheat the wind. The Leaf also sees minor enhancements in the interior, with a new Nissan badge on the steering wheel and a new start-up animation in the instrument panel.

Motivating the Leaf is the same powertrain as current models. That means base vehicles see a 40-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that feeds a single electric motor that sends 147 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. Jumping up to the Leaf SV nets you a larger, 60-kWh battery and a more powerful electric motor rated at 214 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque.

Nissan doesn’t have official range figures yet for 2023, but the current base Leaf S sees 149 miles on a single charge, with the Leaf SV eking out 215 miles. The long-range Leaf S Plus squeezes 226 miles out of a charge.

The biggest argument for the current-generation Leaf is its price, which was slashed significantly for the 2022 model year—now starting at $28,425. Nissan says pricing for the 2023 models will be similar.

Of course, this sets the stage for the more expensive 2023 Nissan Ariya EV crossover, which goes on sale this fall with hopes to sway customers wanting a little more. Nissan says the updated Leaf will go on sale this summer, about the time we should have official range numbers and pricing.

Do you think Nissan’s long-running Leaf has a place in the expanding electric world? Let us know your thoughts below.