The Nissan Leaf is an affordable all-electric vehicle aimed firmly at the mass market, bringing advanced and economical EV tech within easier reach than ever before.

The 2023 model is available in three trim levels, the Leaf SV, SV Plus, and SL Plus. Here’s how their key features and capabilities compare:

2023 Nissan Leaf SV

At the entry level, the Leaf SV trim offers EV performance perfectly balanced for everyday driving duties. The powertrain is based around a 110kW electric motor coupled with a 40kWh lithium-ion battery, feeding front-wheel drive for nimble handling on busy city streets.

The configuration creates a meaty 147 horsepower, combined with the instant torque and surging acceleration that’s a hallmark of EV technology. The maximum driving range is 240km, ample for most everyday driving needs, and when you need more juice, a DC quick charge facility will take the battery to 80% in around 40 minutes.

As expected from an EV, the fuel economy figures are excellent, with an electrically-adjusted equivalent rating of 1.9L / 100km in the city and 2.4L on the highway.

Moving to the interior, heated seats are standard in both rows, giving an unusual level of luxury for an EV in this price bracket. The infotainment system is accessed through an 8-inch colour touchscreen display, with voice recognition offering an extra level of convenience. Standard features include door-to-door navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite radio with Travel Link support.

To complete the impressive feature list, the SV trim offers a rich selection of active safety and driver-assist systems, including:

• Forward collision warnings with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking
• Lane-departure warnings and lane-keep intervention
• Blind-spot monitoring with collision avoidance
• Driver alertness monitoring
• Rear sonar sensors with automatic rear braking

Leaf SV Plus

For drivers with more demanding journey needs, the SV Plus trim upgrades the engineering to provide higher output and a longer range. A 160kWh motor is powered by a 60kWh battery to produce 214 horsepower, with a maximum range of 342km and an 80% charging time of an hour. The extra output makes this trim ideal for highway and commuter journeys, providing fast acceleration from a standing start while leaving plenty in reserve for effortless passing.

Despite the extra power available, the SV Plus delivers identically frugal fuel economy ratings as the lower trim, making it an enticingly affordable way to enjoy all-electric performance.

Leaf SL Plus

The SL Plus trim features the upgraded powertrain of the SV Plus and includes several extra comfort and technology items to take the Leaf even further upscale. The interior is upgraded with leather-appointed seating surfaces, while the standard six-speaker audio is switched out for a seven-speaker premium Bose system to deliver concert-hall quality sound on the road. And for an extra touch of safety, integrated LED turn signals are added to the outside mirrors.

Lastly, the top-level Leaf trim includes a HomeLink Universal Transceiver, which allows easy in-car operation of a wide range of home security devices, including driveway gates, garage doors, entry lighting, and home alarm systems.

Test Drive the 2023 Nissan Leaf Today

Still unsure which 2023 Leaf trim is the right choice for you? Book a test-drive of any model by clicking on the button below and find out just how advanced affordable EV tech has become.

Please Note: The details of this article were accurate at the time it was written. Manufacturers may change the details of any vehicle’s specifications without notice.