Best Car Reviews - 2019 Nissan Leaf (62 kW-hr battery pack)

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Introduction

The 2019 Nissan Leaf with the 62 kWh battery pack, sold in North America as the Leaf Plus, is a five-door electric hatchback aimed at drivers who want practical everyday EV ownership without moving to a premium price bracket. Its larger battery and stronger motor made it a meaningful step up from the 40 kWh Leaf, combining useful long-distance capability with front-wheel-drive simplicity, a roomy cabin, and easy urban manners.

Design and Exterior Features

The second-generation Leaf introduced a more conventional, sharper-looking hatchback shape than the original model, and the 2019 Plus retained that redesign. It measures approximately 176.4 inches long and uses Nissan’s V-motion front-end styling, swept-back headlamps, a blacked-out grille area, and a roofline that prioritizes rear-seat and cargo space. The larger battery sits beneath the floor and required a modest ride-height increase, but it does not reduce the useful cargo area behind the rear seats.

Five-door hatchback body with seating for five.
Distinctive V-motion front fascia and aerodynamic grille treatment.
LED lighting features available by trim.
Rear roof spoiler and sculpted body sides improve its modern appearance.
Approximately 24 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.

Interior and Comfort

The Leaf Plus favors function over luxury. The dashboard layout is straightforward, with physical climate controls and a driver display that helps explain range, energy use, and charging status. Front occupants have generous space and supportive seats, while the rear bench is usable for adults on shorter journeys. Material quality is durable rather than upscale, but the quiet electric powertrain and available heated seats and steering wheel make it especially pleasant in daily commuting use.

Quiet cabin at city and motorway speeds.
Comfortable front seats with available heating.
Available heated steering wheel for cold-weather use.
60/40-split folding rear seat for added cargo flexibility.
Automatic climate control and keyless entry/start on many trims.

Performance and Handling

The 2019 Leaf Plus uses a 62 kWh lithium-ion battery, a 160 kW permanent-magnet electric motor, and a one-speed automatic direct-drive transmission powering the front wheels. Output is rated at 214 or 215 horsepower, depending on the published source, with 251 lb-ft of immediate electric torque. Independent testing recorded a 0-60 mph time of about 6.8 seconds. The EPA range rating is up to 226 miles for the S Plus and up to 215 miles for SV Plus and SL Plus models. EPA combined efficiency for SV Plus and SL Plus is 104 MPGe, equivalent to roughly 2.3 L-e/100 km. The Leaf feels brisk and smooth in traffic, though its handling is secure rather than sporty and sustained DC fast charging can be slowed by battery heat.

160 kW electric motor with 251 lb-ft of torque.
Front-wheel drive and one-speed automatic direct-drive transmission.
0-60 mph in approximately 6.8 seconds in independent testing.
EPA range of up to 226 miles, depending on trim.
e-Pedal regenerative braking can enable near one-pedal driving.

Technology and Connectivity

The 2019 Leaf Plus offers useful EV-focused technology rather than a cutting-edge interface. Depending on trim, it includes a central touchscreen, navigation, smartphone integration, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, satellite radio, and NissanConnect EV services. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, while higher trims offered a larger display, around-view camera technology, Bose audio, and ProPILOT Assist for supported highway driving situations.

Available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Bluetooth, USB input, satellite radio, and available navigation.
Available NissanConnect EV remote services.
Available ProPILOT Assist adaptive cruise and lane-centering support.
Available Intelligent Around View Monitor and Bose audio system.

Safety Features

Standard and available driver-assistance equipment varies by trim, so buyers should confirm the equipment on an individual vehicle. Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking was widely available, with additional systems such as blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-intervention functions offered on upper trims. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated the structurally related Leaf and Leaf Plus Good in moderate-overlap front crashworthiness, side impact, and front-seat head restraints; LATCH ease of use was rated Marginal.

Automatic emergency braking with forward collision warning.
Rearview camera.
Available blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert.
Available lane-departure warning and lane-intervention technology.
IIHS Good ratings for moderate-overlap front, side, and front-seat head-restraint evaluations.

Pricing and Variants

Original United States MSRP for the 62 kWh Leaf S Plus started at $36,550, excluding destination charge, taxes, and options. The range then moved to the SV Plus at $38,510 and SL Plus at $42,550. The Plus was positioned against the Chevrolet Bolt EV, Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia Niro EV, Volkswagen e-Golf, and Tesla Model 3. It offered a practical hatchback cabin and established Nissan dealer support, though several rivals delivered longer range, faster charging, or a more modern public-charging connection.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Useful 62 kWh battery gives it substantially more range than the standard 2019 Leaf.
Strong low-speed torque makes city driving effortless.
Comfortable, quiet, and spacious for a compact electric hatchback.
e-Pedal regenerative braking is effective in stop-and-go traffic.
Good equipment availability, including driver-assistance features and smartphone integration.

Cons

CHAdeMO fast-charging hardware is less convenient than the CCS and NACS ecosystems now common in North America.
Air-cooled battery design can limit repeated DC fast-charging performance in hot conditions.
Range trails several newer electric-car competitors.
Cabin materials and infotainment presentation feel dated beside newer EVs.
Rear seats do not create a completely flat load floor when folded.

Maintenance and Common Issues

A reliable, model-specific annual maintenance-cost figure is not consistently published for the 2019 Leaf Plus, so a precise amount should not be assumed. Routine servicing is generally modest because there are no oil changes, spark plugs, exhaust components, or conventional transmission service requirements; budget for tires, brake-fluid service, cabin filters, wiper blades, and periodic inspections. Reported owner concern patterns for this generation include 12-volt auxiliary-battery failures, DC fast-charging concerns or recall-related work, charging-port or charging-connection problems, battery-cell or battery-management warnings in a small number of vehicles, and electrical accessory faults such as door-lock actuators or warning messages. A used-car inspection should include a battery-health check, recall-status check, and verification that both AC and DC charging function correctly.

Rating

Overall rating: 7.8/10. Design: 7.5/10. Comfort: 8.0/10. Performance: 8.0/10. Technology: 7.5/10. Safety: 8.0/10. The 2019 Leaf Plus remains a convincing commuter EV, but its older charging standard and thermal-management limitations reduce its appeal for frequent long-distance travel.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback commonly praises the Leaf Plus for its smooth performance, low running effort, and practical everyday range. Feedback is more mixed from drivers who depend on regular motorway trips or frequent public fast charging, especially in warm weather.

Owners often appreciate the immediate acceleration and easy one-pedal driving feel.
The quiet ride and roomy front cabin are frequently regarded as daily-use strengths.
Many drivers find the 62 kWh battery adequate for commuting and regional errands.
Some owners report concern about battery temperature during repeated rapid charging.
Buyers increasingly note that CHAdeMO charging availability is a major consideration for long trips.

Best Cars in This Category

2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV
2019 Hyundai Kona Electric
2019 Kia Niro EV
2019 Tesla Model 3
2019 Volkswagen e-Golf

Summary

The 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus is best suited to drivers with dependable home or workplace charging who want a comfortable, practical electric hatchback for commuting, family errands, and occasional regional journeys. Its 62 kWh battery, strong electric motor, and useful driver-assistance options make it far more versatile than the standard-range Leaf. As a used EV, it can offer good value when battery condition, charging operation, and outstanding recalls have been checked carefully; however, drivers who routinely rely on rapid public charging or undertake long trips may prefer a newer EV with active battery cooling and a more widely supported charging connection.