2016 Nissan Leaf review

Color options

Exterior colors:

• Brilliant Silver

• Coulis Red

• Deep Blue Pearl

• Forged Bronze

• Glacier White

• Gun Metallic

• Pearl White 

• Super Black

Interior colors:

• Black

• Gray

Interior details

The 2016 Leaf is a four-door hatchback for five people. With 92.4 cu-ft of interior passenger volume, this roomy cabin is comfortable and welcoming. Black cloth upholstery is standard, with bio suede and real leather available on the higher trims. Generous legroom in the front and rear (42.1-inches and 33.3-inches respectively), plus multi-way manual adjustments for the front-row seats ensures passengers of all sizes will feel at ease. 

Standard passenger comfort features include heated front-row seating, automatic temperature control, and UV-reducing solar glass up front. Upgrade to the SV trim or above for front seatback magazine pockets and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel. 

Storage for passenger items includes a center console, two front-row cup holders, and four bottle holders. The 2016 Leaf has 23.6 cu ft of fixed cargo space. When folded down, the 60/40-split rear row makes way for cargo volume up to 30.0 cu-ft behind the front row. 

Child seat details

The Nissan Leaf has two complete sets of LATCH connectors (two lower anchors and an upper tether) in the second-row outboard seats and an additional upper tether only for the second-row middle seat. All seat types are accommodated and you may be able to fit up to three if you've got slim-fit seats. Anchor points are clearly indicated, as are the tether points, found to the rear of the seatback. It is worth noting that the center seat in the second row does not have a headrest, so you may wish to choose another seat position for children in backless booster seats.

Performance

The 2016 all-electric Leaf is powered by an 80-kW electric motor and a choice of two different battery packs, a 24 kWh for the base trim, S, or a 30 kWh battery found in the SV and SL trims. All models are front-wheel drive.

When it comes to electric car range, a fully charged S trim Leaf (with the 24 kWh battery pack) can deliver an EPA-estimated 84 miles of range, while the SV and SL trims (with the larger 30 kWh battery) under the same conditions achieve an EPA-estimated 107 miles of range.

According to Nissan, when new, the 2016 Leaf achieved a zero-to-60 time of 10.2 seconds, and a top speed of 90 mph. 

Need to charge? The S trim Leaf is estimated to fully recharge in eight hours when hooked up to a 240-volt power source. The SV and SL trims in the same conditions can achieve a full recharge in around five hours thanks to their larger capacity onboard charger. The upper trims also have a quick charge port as standard, though it is also available as part of the S trim Charge package option. When using a compatible quick-charge station, the Leaf is then estimated to achieve an 80% charge in under 30 minutes.

Year comparisons 

2011-2017 Nissan Leaf (first generation)

Considered by many to be the pioneer of electric cars, the Nissan Leaf made its debut in 2011. In 2014, a rearview camera became a standard feature, while in 2016, the SV and SL trims gained a larger 30 kWh battery. Proving to be a popular addition, the 30 kWh battery became standard for all trims in 2017.

2018-2022 Nissan Leaf (second generation)

The second-generation Leaf kicked off in 2018 with a full redesign that included styling changes and improved powertrain performance. For 2019, the Leaf Plus models join the lineup, offering a larger battery for more range alongside a more powerful motor. Driver assistance features and infotainment tech got an upgrade in 2020, while all 2022 models benefit from a standard quick-charge port.