In the market, there are mainly three trim levels for the 2019 Nissan Leaf, namely S, SV, and SL. In addition, a new Plus trim level was introduced in all trims this year. With the addition of S Plus, SV Plus, and SL Plus, the number of trims now stands at six.

The base and Plus trims differ primarily in the amount of power and range they offer. The motor in the Plus trim provides 68 more horses than in the existing trims. In addition to a long-range capability, the Plus trims can push up to 226 miles in range.

In terms of features, the base trim has very few options available in its cabin. As compared to the Plus trims, even the other trims such as SV and SL offer very few features. Top-trim models have features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Keyless entry and ignition, emergency braking, an 8.0-inch display, and much more as standard in the car.

Which trim should you buy?

Taking a close look at the price and specifications, we recommend going for the S Plus trim that offers you the best deal. With this, you will have a powerful motor and a long-range all at once. Additionally, it comes with many standard features for a price of $36,550. 

Its name "Leaf" is enough to give you an idea about its powertrain, as sustainable energy is its theme. As with the base models, the 2019 Nissan Leaf uses motors that generate about 147 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. However, you will be able to compete somewhat with the other vehicles in terms of power for this year. With its new Plus trim, the car has a powerful 160 kWh motor and 62 kWh battery that produces 214 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. Pretty impressive, isn't it?

A direct-drive transmission transfers those electrical energies to the front wheels through a single-speed. Nissan Leaf's drivetrain is a front-wheel-drive system that remains the same across all trim levels.

The Kia Niro EV ranks as the top-performing vehicle within this class in terms of speed. The Hyundai Kona EV follows its sister car very closely in terms of acceleration and quarter-mile times, followed by the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Bolt that have different output but put in very similar times, which are just shy of the Kona’s. 

How well does the 2019 Nissan Leaf handle?

The 2019 Nissan Leaf is eerily quiet due to the lack of an engine. The driving position is comfortable and the driver sits up high, as much as in a small SUV. The steering is relatively sharp and the car handles very well. The single-speed gearbox ensures that there’s ample torque everytime you floor the pedal for quick overtakes, while the battery pack keeps the torque ready. The suspension does a pretty mediocre job of soaking up bumps but feels a little jerky. 

The engine re-generation is very on-point and doesn’t feel as severe as some of the rivals. The transition is very smooth, enabling the Leaf to be driven by one-foot only for long durations. The motor is very responsive and always has an on-the-feet approach when on the move. 

Braking Performance

The 2019 Nissan Leaf comes equipped with large brake rotors on all sides - 11.5-inch front brake rotors and 11.1-inch rear brake rotors. The car has a typical EV braking, which can also be done by using the braking mode that regenerates power into the battery. However, when it comes to hard braking or panic braking, brake pedals always make sense. 

The performance of the car while braking is smooth and it does not veer off course while hard braking which is good. To come to a complete stop from 60 MPH, the 2019 Nissan Leaf goes almost 128 feet ahead, which is fine considering the vehicle's power and acceleration.

As the biggest brake rotor in this class, the Kona leads the field but the higher curb weight translates into a relatively poor braking performance from the EV. On the contrary, the Niro EV does a very good job and stops the earliest despite the highest curb weight, followed by a tie between the Leaf and the Bolt EV. 

The range of the 2019 Nissan Leaf improved after it was introduced with the Plus trim that offers 224 miles on a full charge. However, the models at the base are far less extensive than those of the competition. The base models don't perform great, particularly on the highways, where they push only 99 miles of range, whereas its competitors do nearly 110 miles.

Generally, the Leaf takes around seven hours to get recharged on a 240V outlet, while on a 120V outlet it takes longer. However, DC fast charging is available on all trims except the base model, where it is optional. Typically, fast charging takes about 40 to 45 minutes to charge your car with electrons.

In comparing the ranges of all these EVs, the Hyundai Kona comes in first place with a 258-mile range, which is extremely impressive. The Leaf performed very poorly in this competition with a total battery range of only 224 miles. It was difficult for the Bolt EV and the Niro EV to come out on top in this comparison, though they did perform well.

In all senses, the interior space of the Leaf is quite comfortable, spacious, and convenient. There is nothing to complain about when it comes to material quality. A few standard features are also incorporated into the base model, except that it is less impressive than the top trim models.

There is ample headroom and legroom in the Nissan Leaf's front row so you can rest comfortably. However, things get a bit dicey when it comes to the rear seats, where legroom is very limited. The front row driver's seat can be power adjusted in six different ways, while the front passenger's seat can be adjusted in four different ways. 

Regarding amenities and features, both front and rear seats have cup holders for keeping your Starbucks cup secure. Additional features include keyless entry, push-button ignition, Dual-one automatic climate control, etc.

Another package option, costing about $450, includes a heated steering wheel and seats, rear heating ducts, etc. The cargo space of Leaf is 23.6 cubic feet, which is indeed the largest among its competitors.

The space between the front and rear rows, along with the cargo compartment, is excellent and probably the best in the Nissan Leaf while both the Bolt and the Niro have much better rear space for passengers. That being said, the Leaf’s interior is a very nice place to be in and to highlight that, some of the standout features are:

• Leather upholstery
• Automatic climate control
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Remote keyless entry
• Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Surround-view parking camera system
• Heated front seats
• Rear heater vents

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The base trim of the 2019 Nissan Leaf lacks a lot of standard infotainment features when compared to the top trims, which offer many more. Among its standard features are a 7.0-inch display, 4 speakers, USB ports, Bluetooth-Assisted Hands-free Calling, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and more.

However, with a Plus trim, you'll get several standard features as well, such as Apple Carplay and Android Auto, an updated 8.0-inch display, Nissan navigation, remote climate control, SiriusXM Travellink, and 7 speakers. As a whole, the infotainment system of the Plus trims is excellent considering their price level. Some of the highlights of the infotainment system are:

• 7.0-inch display
• 4-speaker sound system
• Bose 7-speaker sound system (optional)
• Nissan Navigation
• Sirius XM Radio
• USB ports for charging
• Apple Carplay and Android Auto

From the outside, the 2019 Nissan Leaf may not be alluring enough to appeal to buyers based on its looks alone. There are a few competitors who have bolder and sharper looks than it. However, we must acknowledge that after the major style update back in 2018, it got somewhat better

The dimensions of this car are again good, but off-roading won't be easy in it. Ground clearance measures 5.9 inches, which is not that much. Among its features are LED headlights with daytime running lights, LED brake lights, chrome door handles, a U-shaped front grille, and 17.0-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

Both the Nissan Leaf and the Niro EV share similar wheelbases but the latter utilizes the space better and provides more space to the second-row occupants. The Niro and the Kona EV sit higher that helps in getting over the rough patches on the road better. That being said, the lower ground clearance on the Leaf translates to better driving dynamics and bigger boot space. Some of the highlighting exterior features on the leaf are:

• Chrome door handles
• 17.0-inch aluminum wheels
• LED daytime running lights
• LED brake lights

The 2019 Nissan Leaf includes a variety of safety features that eliminate all safety concerns from your mind. Even though the base model doesn't have as many features as the top trims, it still does a good job. The usual safety features are there but the advanced driver aids are limited to the higher trims only, with some of the standout safety features being:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Intelligent around-view monitor
• Low tire pressure warning
• Lane departure warning system
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Intelligent forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking

This car has not been tested on the grounds of the NHTSA, so we don't know its safety score yet. However, the IIHS gave it an overall Good rating. Moreover, the IIHS has only conducted a few tests on it. Hence, a conclusive statement on its safety cannot be made just yet.

2019 Nissan Leaf vs 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric

When compared head-to-head with the Nissan Leaf, the Hyundai Kona has a much greater range. In contrast, Leaf's top trims are better when it comes to features and its space is also much better than Kona's. Kona appears to be a better car overall, but if we factor in pricing, Nissan Leaf beats Kona handily here.

2019 Nissan Leaf vs 2019 Chevrolet Bolt

The Chevrolet Bolt outperforms the Nissan Leaf in almost every area. Besides being fuel-efficient, it is spacious and has good features. Leaf has the upper hand only in the luggage compartment. Overall, we would say Bolt is a very good option for this class when compared to Leaf

2019 Nissan Leaf vs 2019 Kia Niro EV

Overall, the Kia Niro is a good electric car, but not as good as the Nissan Leaf. When compared to the Nissan Leaf, Niro has much more rear legroom, so rear-seat occupants find it much more comfortable to sit back there. Also, the Niro accelerates and brakes better than the leaf, despite carrying a heavy weight but that also affects its driving dynamics - a parameter where the Leaf excels.

The 2019 Nissan Leaf is an excellent vehicle with good overall performance. Nissan Leaf has become a true contender in this class after having introduced its Plus trims this year. Although some of its competitors, such as the Bolt and Kona, beat Nissan Leaf according to performance and range. Therefore, we would say the 2019 Nissan Leaf is indeed a very good EV but its competitors cannot be ignored at the same time.