2023 Nissan Leaf Updated With Freshened Looks And Simplified Lineup
Buyers hoping to buy an all-electric 2023 Nissan LEAF will be limited to just two trim options: the LEAF S and the LEAF SV PLUS. Both will come with mildly modified appearances for the new model year, the automaker announced today at the New York International Auto Show.
For 2023, the LEAF gets a refreshed grille, massaged front bumper molding, and the headlights feature a new black inner finisher. The Nissan badge, meanwhile, is now illuminated and has been updated to the new-look logo. Additionally, the shapes of the tire deflectors have been modified at all four corners, while the rear diffuser and spoiler have also been modified, all with a view to improving aerodynamics.
Inside, the Nissan badge on the steering wheel has been updated and there’s a new startup animation on the instrument panel screen. Black cloth upholstery is standard on both trims but the LEAF S gets grey finishers while the SV PLUS gets gloss black finishers. The most noticeable difference between the two models, meanwhile, may just be the funky 17-inch aluminum-alloy 5-spoke wheels that now come standard on the SV PLUS.
The largest differences between the two trims are the battery and the motor’s output. The LEAF S gets a 40 kWh lithium-ion battery and an electric motor that delivers 147 hp (147 kW/149 PS) and 236 lb-ft (320 Nm) of torque. The LEAF SV PLUS, meanwhile, gets a 60 kWh battery and its motor makes 214 hp (160 kW/217 PS) and 250 lb-ft (339 Nm) of torque. Official EPA-estimated ranges for both trim levels will be announced closer to launch but is expected to be similar to the 2022 models.
The SV PLUS will also get ProPILOT Assist driver assistance system, which combines Nissan’s Intelligent Cruise Control and steering assist as well as a stop and hold function that can bring the car to a full stop and then back up to speed when traffic starts moving again.
Like the range, pricing will be announced closer to the vehicle’s launch this summer. Nissan says, though, that the MSRPs won’t change dramatically from 2022.
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