Lengthy stay the LEAF! For yet another 12 months a minimum of, as Nissan has begun gross sales of the 2025 mannequin 12 months LEAF. When you’re acquainted with the veteran BEV, you discover familiarity on this 12 months’s fashions as nearly nothing new exists. Nonetheless, the LEAF’s beginning worth of $28,000 makes it probably the most inexpensive fashions out there at present… so long as you discover someplace that has CHAdeMO charging.
Whereas we’d argue—or proceed to argue—that it’s time for Nissan to place this iteration of the LEAF out to pasture, its tenure as an inexpensive staple within the EV market can’t be denied. The compact BEV has been in manufacturing for 14 years and commenced its run as among the best choices on the market when there wasn’t a lot to select from.
After a number of awards and spectacular gross sales early on, the LEAF has light into the background of a booming EV section as different automakers (actually everybody outdoors of Japan) haven’t solely caught up however far surpassed one of many authentic mass-produced all-electric fashions that helped get adoption the place it’s at present.
Even when Nissan launched a second-generation refresh of the LEAF in 2017, the BEV held regular available in the market regardless of the emergence of latest fashions that had been bigger and drove farther—largely as a result of they price much more.
Since that refresh, we’ve solely seen minor, largely beauty facelifts to the Nissan LEAF, and that’s no completely different for the 2025 fashions happening sale now. Positive, it’s one of many few BEVs that begins at a worth beneath $30k, however with nearly nothing new in 2025, we are able to’t assist however marvel why Nissan remains to be promoting this BEV as a brand new automobile.
Nissan LEAF is probably the most inexpensive new BEV you may get
Per Nissan, the 2025 mannequin 12 months LEAF is now on sale, beginning at round $28,000, excluding taxes and vacation spot charges.
Like its predecessors, the 2025 fashions have a cute 40 kWh battery pack that delivers as much as 149 miles of EPA vary. There’s additionally the LEAF SV PLUS, which encompasses a bigger 60 kWh pack able to a 212-mile vary. Right here’s how pricing breaks down:
| 2025 Nissan LEAF Mannequin | Battery Dimension | MSRP* |
| S | 40 kWh | $28,140 |
| SV PLUS | 60 kWh | $36,190 |
Since that is nearly the identical automobile because the 2024 fashions (and the 12 months earlier than… and the 12 months earlier than…), we thought the 2025 fashions would qualify for as much as $3,750 in federal tax credit, additional including to its financial savings to shoppers. Nonetheless, that isn’t the case… a minimum of not but. Per Nissan:
At the moment, the 2025 Nissan LEAF will not be eligible for the Federal EV tax credit score below Inner Income Code Part 30D primarily based on ultimate laws launched by the Inner Income Service on Might 3, 2024.
Even with out federal tax credit, the 2025 Nissan LEAF arrives as probably the most inexpensive new BEV in the marketplace now that the Chevy Bolt has been shelved for a relaunch.
Is the 2025 LEAF actually value it, although?
That reply is subjective, however this long-outdated BEV nonetheless makes use of the lame-duck CHAdeMO charging customary—a plug so out of date that it’s robust to seek out out within the wild anymore. Even if you need a small, inexpensive BEV for work commutes and the LEAF is an efficient match, why not simply get the 2024 mannequin and an opportunity at some tax credit?
We’re not right here to crap on the LEAF. There’s no denying its historical past and impression on the business, however what number of extra years will Nissan shill the identical BEV to the general public as if it’s nonetheless a contender? It looks like an EV model of Weekend at Bernie’s, and the jig is up.
Nissan has already launched the Ariya, which begins at round $41,000 for over double the vary of the S; and it has a CCS port! Higher nonetheless, Nissan has already confirmed it’s growing a next-generation LEAF to exchange the 2025 fashions and people earlier than.
We’re not making an attempt to dissuade you from shopping for a LEAF—it’s a beautiful automobile for a lot of use circumstances. However the 2025 mannequin is a troublesome promote when it can save you cash by choosing an older mannequin with the identical specs.
Godspeed LEAF. We want you properly however are very a lot wanting ahead to seeing your successor.
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