Nissan Leaf 40 kWh

Overview

The 2022 Nissan Leaf with the 40 kWh battery, often found as the entry-level 'S' trim in the US, was a well-regarded pioneer in the affordable EV space. Though now discontinued, it remains a popular choice on the used market, with this 2022 version typically fetching around $8,700. Its key selling points were its no-nonsense approach to electric motoring, offering decent practicality and a comfortable ride for city dwellers and commuters. It was the sensible EV choice before 'sensible' got super crowded!

What's New for 2022?

For 2022, Nissan gave the Leaf a proper shake-up, especially on price! The 40 kWh model, our star here, saw its sticker slashed, making it a seriously tempting proposition. Plus, they threw in the CHAdeMO quick-charge port as standard across all trims – no more feeling left out on the base model! While fancier trims got some extra goodies like ProPILOT Assist standard, the big win for the 40 kWh Leaf was that sweeter price tag and the now-included fast charging capability, boosting its everyday usability.

Design & Exterior

The 2022 Leaf 40 kWh kept its familiar, slightly conservative hatchback design. It's not a head-turner, but it's functional and aerodynamic, measuring 176.4 inches long, 70.5 inches wide (excluding mirrors), and 61.4 inches tall. The base S (40 kWh) usually rode on 16-inch steel wheels with covers, giving it a basic but tidy look. Its V-motion grille and boomerang-style lights were signature Nissan cues, making it instantly recognizable as a Leaf, even if it wasn't shouting about its electric credentials from the rooftops.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Hop inside the 2022 Leaf 40 kWh, and you'll find a cabin that's all about sensible practicality. It seats five, and while the materials won't scream 'premium,' they're built to last. You get a handy 23.6 cubic feet of trunk space, which balloons to 30 cubic feet when you drop the rear seats – plenty for the weekly shop or a weekend getaway. No frunk, though. Tech-wise, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto usually graced the dash, keeping your tunes and nav sorted.

Performance & Driving Experience

The 40 kWh Leaf delivered zippy city performance thanks to its 110 kW (around 147 hp) PMSM electric motor, dishing out a healthy 236 lb-ft of instant torque to the front wheels. This translated to a 0-60 mph sprint in a respectable 7.7 seconds – plenty peppy for darting through traffic. The ride was generally comfortable, prioritizing ease of driving over sporty handling. Nissan’s e-Pedal, allowing for one-pedal driving by maximizing regenerative braking, was a neat and intuitive feature for smooth urban progress.

Range, Battery & Charging

The 2022 Leaf 40 kWh packs a 39 kWh usable battery, which Green Cars Compare calculates will give you a real-world range of around 149 miles – decent for city slicking. Efficiency is rated at a solid 3.82 mi/kWh. At home, its standard 6.6 kW AC charger (via a Type 1 J1772 port) will juice it up in about 7.5 hours. Out and about, the CHAdeMO port allows for 50 kW DC fast charging, zapping it to 80% in roughly 40-60 minutes under ideal conditions.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

The 2022 Nissan Leaf scored a top-notch 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, which is great peace of mind. Standard safety kit on the 40 kWh models (like the S trim) typically included Nissan's Safety Shield 360 suite. This packed in features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and high beam assist. So, even the base model came well-equipped with crucial driver aids for safer journeys.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

For the 2022 model year, Nissan typically offered a 3-year/36,000-mile basic limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty for the Leaf. The crucial EV battery was covered by an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty, protecting against significant capacity loss, which is pretty standard stuff. Nissan didn't usually offer complimentary maintenance like some rivals, but the inherent simplicity of EVs means fewer scheduled service visits and generally lower running costs compared to an old-school petrol car. Reliability has historically been a Leaf strong suit.