2014 Nissan Leaf Review, Price, Photos, Features, Specs

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Although Nissan’s all-electric 2014 Leaf has been on the market for two-and-a-half years, and returns updated for 2014, many Americans remain unaware of its existence, and others do not have a firm grasp of its pros and cons.

Obviously, many do know about the electric vehicle (EV) and this year Nissan set sales records in March, April, and May since beginning Tennessee production this year.

To augment its appeal, Nissan slashed all 2014 Leaf trim level prices and introduced an S version that’s $6,000 less than the lowest priced 2013 model.

Nissan says it listened to existing Leaf drivers in introducing the decently appointed but less pricey S trim level while simultaneously increasing features and cutting prices for the now mid-level SV and top-line SL.

Standard on the S (and all models) is a heated leather-covered steering wheel (apologies – we got our info crossed in initially saying it was optional in the video). Also on the S are a 4.3-inch touch screen, charging and energy data readout, keyless entry, heated front and rear seats, power accessories and Bluetooth connectivity. It gets last year’s slower 3.6-kw onboard charger, but optional is the 6.6-kw charger that’s standard on SV and SL (see price sheet below).

Among new and optional features for the 2014 SV and SL are a standard 7-inch touch screen and several higher-line updates, such as leather heated seats, and an “Around View Monitor” with cameras showing a 360-degree perspective and 7-speaker Bose® energy efficient audio.

Further, an “Eco route” was added to the available navigation system that includes suggested power-saving alternative routes, Google local search, Pandora for iPhone and iPod cover art.

Also this year is a “B” drive mode to increase regenerative braking. Touches like a charge port light and lock, remotely operated charge port door, new black interior color and sun visor extensions add to a mid-cycle refresh too detailed to comprehensively list.

The 2014 Leaf in a Nutshell

The 2014 Leaf is essentially a normal hatchback that comfortably seats four, can make it with five, has decent storage capacity – but has maybe a 3.5 to 4.0 gallon “gas tank” (battery). Replenishing this energy supply takes up to four hours at 240-volts with the 6.6-kw on-board charger. (This is compared to an imaginary internal combustion car’s 25 mpg multiplied by 3.5 = 87.5 miles easily attainable range. On a slower route, the 2014 Leaf might be good for 90-100 miles or more).

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A decreased “fuel” supply that takes longer to refill may not sound too flattering for a $29,600- $37,000 car (before substantial potential subsidies), but while we’re imagining, imagine the 2014  Leaf’s “fuel” costs maybe one-fifth what you’d pay for gas – an energy source that’s getting comparatively more expensive as years go by.

Figuring Actual Cost To Power A 2014 Leaf

A reliable formula to calculate your actual cost of “fuel” (electricity) is to divide miles driven by MPGe (129 city, 102 hwy, 115 combined) and multiply by 33.7 (33.7 kwh=energy of one gallon of gas). Then use your actual electricity cost to calculate your actual operational cost.

The EPA figures electricity at 12 cents per kw and calculates based on 15,000 mile per year.
For simplicity’s sake, and to compare to an imaginary 25-mpg gas car, let’s figure 10 cents per kilowatt and cost to travel on one gallon of gasoline, or 25 miles.

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Specifically, you can divide 25 miles driven by the combined 115 MPGe and multiply by 33.7. This equals your actual kwh consumed.

In this case, kwh consumed = 7.33.

Take 7.33 times your actual price per kw (10 cents in this example). This equals about 73 cents to drive 25 miles. A 25 mpg gas-powered car would use one gallon of gas at say $3.75 per gallon.

The 2014 Leaf’s hypothetical 73 cents per gallon cost is one-fifth the $3.75 per gallon of a comparable hatchback.