Nissan is once again making headlines in the EV market. Still, this time around, the focus is not on the revolutionary Ariya EV but rather on a grizzled veteran, the 2023 Nissan Leaf, which will make its debut in the Big Apple.
Revised Exterior And Interior Define New Leaf
The current generation Leaf’s exterior design was starting to noticeably age compared to some of its rivals, and Nissan designers have made some tweaks to help it stay fresh.
The front grille is brand new, and the slick 17-inch wheels get a new Ariya inspired design. A new light-up Nissan badge is front and center, and the rear diffuser gets a revamp along with the molding package.
The interior is mostly unchanged, but the two exceptions are the badge swap on the steering wheel (the old one is now history) and a new boot-up screen for the touchscreen infotainment system.
Leaf Retains Performance Hardware
Since this is only a very light refresh, look for performance to be unchanged, with Nissan claiming that the unreleased range figures will be very similar to the 2022 model.
The standard and electric powertrains will still be available, but Nissan has adjusted the trim levels for 2023. The SV trim has been scrapped, and the smaller 40 kWh lithium-ion battery pack is an S model exclusive. This model also carries over the 2022’s 147 hp electric motor, and in 2022 the combo was good for 149 miles of range.
Taking the place of the S and SL Plus models is the new SV Plus model, with that model featuring the beefier 60 kWh battery pack. This pack is paired with a bigger electric motor which makes 214 hp and can get 215 miles of range before it needs a charge.
When Can I Buy One?
Nissan didn’t release pricing just yet, but the company did reveal that the 2023 Leaf is slated to go on sale sometime this summer.
The Leaf will still face a growing pool of rivals when it completes its makeover. However, a positive for it is that the model is still eligible for the existing $7,500 green tax credit, which will give it a valuable edge in the eyes of bargain-focused shoppers.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.