2022 Nissan Leaf

MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says all grades of Leaf and Leaf Plus are new-for-2022 CHAdeMO quick charging compatible, that the SV grade newly gets an eight-way power driver's seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, LED low-beam headlights and daytime running lights, and ProPilot Assist as standard, and that Nissan announced the 2022 model has a lower MSRP than the model that preceded it, in some cases dropping more than $6,000 from the sticker price. The standard Leaf carries a 40-kWh lithium-ion battery and an electric motor that makes 147 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, and the EPA rates it 104 to 111 MPGe at $700 to $750 a year in electricity on fueleconomy.gov (opens in a new tab).

NHTSA lists four recalls, and Consumer Reports (opens in a new tab) confirms it has been recalled four times. 25V655 covers 2021 to 2022 Leafs with a Level 3 quick charging port, where the lithium-ion battery may overheat, which is the recall to confirm since the 2022's new selling point is quick-charge compatibility. 23V494 covers unintended acceleration if the driving mode is changed after disengaging cruise control, 24V071 covers damaged rearview camera harnesses on 2018 to 2022 Leafs, and 23V048 corrects incorrect owner's manual instructions for defroster operation. Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) does not yet have enough repair-order data to list common problems for the 2022.

Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) says a 2022 Leaf has depreciated $3,747, or 24 percent, in the last three years, leaving a resale value of $11,750 and a trade-in value of $8,600, in the 75th to 100th percentile for depreciation among 2022 hatchbacks. Against the 2022 Tesla Model 3 at 113 to 132 MPGe and $550 to $650 a year, the Leaf's $700 to $750 is $100 to $200 more per year, and against the Toyota Prius at 49 to 56 mpg and $1,100 to $1,250 it saves $350 to $550 a year.