2022 Nissan Leaf

As is expected from an electric car, the Leaf offers a tranquil driving experience. There's no engine noise from the front, no gears interrupting the flow of power, and no soundtrack coming from the exhaust, mostly because it doesn't have one. The problem with the lack of vibration and noise is that there's nothing to drown out the road and wind noise. Luckily, the Leaf is adequately insulated, which means only a little bit of tire roar finds its way into the cabin.

While the Plus models might feel fast in a straight line, Nissan hasn't bothered giving the Leaf a sporty feel. It's tuned to be comfortable, especially once you engage comfort mode. It's far from feeling like an elephant through the corners, but it will quickly remind you that it was not designed for anything other than spirited driving in a straight line. Steering is extremely light and perfectly suited for city driving, which is just another reminder that it's not a sporty car. If sporty is what you seek, we'd suggest the Tesla Model 3.

It's easy to forget what the Nissan Leaf did for electric cars. Many see the Tesla Model S as the turning point for EVs, and it's hard to disagree with that, but it's worth remembering that Nissan built the first EV aimed at normal people, and it worked. In the 11 years since it was first launched, a bunch of new EVs has entered the market. With the exception of the Mini SE and Chevy Bolt, all of them come with a premium price tag. All of them are more interesting than the Leaf, for various reasons, be that a nicer interior, funky exterior, sporty handling, or a giant touchscreen interface. But the Leaf remains the people's EV, retailing at a price a large portion of the population can afford, especially in a post-COVID world.

The Leaf doesn't pretend to be anything other than a no-nonsense practical hatch with space for five and a big trunk. It's comfortable rather than sporty, even though it has the ability to be brisk in a straight line. It's also generously equipped across the range, and not just with luxury items, but safety kit as well. The Leaf's main problem, even after the 2022 price reductions, is the retail price of the high-end models. The SL Plus, with all of the features and a range of 226 miles now has an MSRP of $37,400. That's already more expensive than the $34,190 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus, which is a better all-around car, and it has a range of 262 miles. For $44,190, you can have a Tesla Model 3 Long Range, good for 353 miles. That's without mentioning the seven-seat Model Y Long Range with an MSRP of $48,190.

The Chevrolet Bolt is also a five-door hatchback with space for five. It's not as practical as the Leaf, however. The Bolt range consists of the $31,000 base 1LT and the $35,195 2LT. That means it also has the same problem as the Leaf, which is the existence of the Tesla Model 3.

Having said that, it is an interesting alternative for many reasons. First and foremost, both models are equipped with a 200-hp and 266-lb-ft EV powertrain that Chevrolet claims is capable of doing 259 miles on a full charge. It's a fast little tyke and can sprint to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds. Like the Leaf, it was also built for comfort rather than speed. It does extremely well in the city and is perfectly happy on the highway.

The Bolt doesn't have quite the same generous standard specification as the Leaf, missing blind-spot monitoring, for example. But most of the other safety features are there, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, forward-collision alert, pedestrian detection, auto high beams, and following-distance indication. The Leaf SV is only $3,600 cheaper than the entry-level Bolt and we think the Bolt's high-value 2022 price, superior performance and range, and better interior space clinches it for the Chevy.

尼桑Leaf火炬为负担得起的electric motoring for nearly a decade, and, in a way, it still does. The 2022 Leaf is now the cheapest EV in the land. Last year Nissan had to hand over the torch to the Tesla Model 3. Sales of Tesla's entry-level EV are booming, and for a few days in 2021, it made Elon Musk the richest man on earth. With Model 3 prices starting at just over $40,000, it completely dominates the $40,000 to $50,000 space in the market. It delivers a Mjolnir-like blow to all of its competitors.

And, it's easy to see why. The Tesla is powered by a single electric motor that produces between 258 hp and 450 hp, depending on the trim. The base model does 262 miles on a charge, while long-range models will do over 350 miles. The build quality has been questionable, but there's no doubt that Tesla sets the standard when it comes to interiors. It's an elegant minimalist space that most luxury car manufacturers are now copying and implementing in their fossil-fueled cars. It's also good to drive in the city, good on the highway, and delivers an engaging drive overall. At not much more than the top-spec Leaf SL Plus, the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus is a no-brainer.