Nissan Leaf: MyCarlady test drives the 100% electric car.
I liked the quiet ride, snappy acceleration and nimble handling. The interior was roomy with lots of headroom and rear seat legroom, but the hatchback configuration could use a sturdier table if you are going to lay large objects across the folded rear seats. I wish the seats were softer or in leather as an option.
Sustainable but spartan.
Yes I get the sustainability niche, but honestly, many people considering this car want some luxury and are buying it for the fuel savings. If I have to commute more than 25 min. each way, I want some trim upgrades so I don’t feel reduced to a spartan life in my car. Voice command text and email would be cool too! I wish I had the opportunity to drive this car for more than 15 minutes, up on the highway, at 70mph and accelerating up hills, with loads and during 115 degree Las Vegas summers, with the air blasting. Now I have owned and sold Nissans for years and believe in their ability to make cold air, but I have also owned a Honda Civic Hybrid which hated the Las Vegas summers and let me know it was stop for a red light or continue to have air, so that’s a test I’d REALLY like to take with a Nissan Leaf, in Death Valley in July.
Order your LEAF Online.
The Nissan Leaf isn’t available in all cities, as the 20,000 production for 2012 is really directed at the urban, high interest market and possibly those communities with a supportive grid for the power demand. Although this car consumes about as much energy as a clothes drier, and costs pennies a day to charge, the range is limited to 100 miles between full charges, this car makes you rethink the entire vehicle purchase requirement needs.
In the future I imagine most of us using our electric cars as mere transportation, ala plug-in, and cross-country car vacations will be done in a rental car or R.V.
But maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, since we aren’t close to capacity for accessible recharging stations and the like, but maybe in my children’s future.
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Sarah Lee is a 20 yr. automotive executive writing on all things car related. A huge consumer advocate for better car deals and manufacturer responsibility. This website and the information provided is fueled by donations. If you feel the information provided is helpful, please feel free to contribute by clicking here. Thank You for your support. SLM
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