Nissan Leaf 62 kWh

Overview

The 2022 Nissan Leaf 62 kWh is a well-established player in the EV game, offering a practical hatchback design with a useful bump in range over its 40 kWh sibling. As one of the original mass-market EVs, it’s now a cracking value on the used market, with this longer-range version typically found for around $10,150. The "62 kWh" signifies the larger battery, giving it more legs for daily driving and beyond, making it a solid choice for those dipping their toes into electric motoring or needing a dependable, no-fuss electric runabout.

What's New for 2022?

For its 2022 swansong before a refresh, Nissan made the Leaf 62 kWh (often badged as "Plus" trims) even more appealing with a price cut, sweetening the deal. CHAdeMO for DC fast charging and a J1772 port for Level 2 AC charging came standard. Higher-spec 62 kWh versions like the SV Plus and SL Plus also benefited from Nissan's ProPILOT Assist as standard kit, adding a handy layer of semi-autonomous driving smarts. It was a final polish on a familiar package, making it a stronger contender in its segment as production ended this year.

Design & Exterior

The 2022 Leaf 62 kWh rocks a familiar, friendly face with Nissan’s signature V-motion grille, albeit a more EV-centric closed-off version. It's an aerodynamic hatchback that doesn't shout "I'm electric!" too loudly. Measuring 176.4 inches long, 70.5 inches wide, and 61.6 inches tall, it’s neatly proportioned for city life. The 62 kWh "Plus" models often sported distinct 17-inch alloy wheels and subtle badging, giving it a slightly more premium look over the base car. It's a design that’s aged reasonably well, still looking contemporary enough on the road.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the Leaf 62 kWh offers a straightforward and user-friendly cabin. Materials are generally decent, and while not cutting-edge, it’s all well put together. There's seating for five, with good space up front. Pop the hatch, and you get a useful 23.6 cubic feet of trunk space, expanding to 30 cubic feet with the rear seats folded – though no frunk, sadly. An 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard, keeping you connected. Higher "Plus" trims often added navigation and a better sound system for a comfier ride.

Performance & Driving Experience

This Leaf packs a decent punch! With its 160 kW (around 214 hp) PMSM motor sending 251 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels, it'll scoot from 0-60 mph in a nippy 6.8 seconds. That instant electric torque makes it feel zippy around town. The ride is generally comfortable, soaking up bumps well, and Nissan's e-Pedal allows for proper one-pedal driving, maximizing regeneration and simplifying city driving. It’s not a hot hatch, but it’s got more than enough poke for daily duties and a surprisingly engaging drive.

Range, Battery & Charging

The heart of this Leaf is its 59 kWh usable battery pack, delivering a Green Cars Compare calculated real-world range of 209 miles – pretty decent for most commutes. Efficiency is rated at a solid 3.54 mi/kWh. For juicing up, you’ve got a standard 6.6 kW onboard AC charger, meaning a full top-up at home takes around 9-10 hours. Out and about, it can accept electrons at up to 100 kW via its CHAdeMO DC fast-charging port, with a Type 1 (J1772) port for AC charging, both located in the nose.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Nissan didn't skimp on safety for the 2022 Leaf, which boasts a 5-star NHTSA overall rating. All models, including the 62 kWh versions, came standard with Nissan's Safety Shield 360. This suite packs in essentials like Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Stepping up to higher "Plus" trims (the 62 kWh variants) often meant getting ProPILOT Assist, a clever system combining adaptive cruise control with lane centering for more relaxed highway cruising. Peace of mind comes standard here.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

As a new vehicle, the 2022 Leaf 62 kWh came with Nissan's standard 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty covering the electric motor. Crucially, the EV battery was covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles against significant capacity loss. Maintenance on EVs is typically lower than petrol cars – no oil changes here! While complimentary maintenance wasn't a big Nissan perk, the Leaf has a generally good reliability record, especially these later models with improved battery chemistry, making for potentially worry-free used electric motoring.