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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Transmission | Automatic (A1) |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Electricity |
| City / Hwy MPG | 126 / 101 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 114 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $650 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | EV |
| Base Price | $21,268–$25,022 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2015 Nissan LEAF is a ev that earns a Carivo score of 6.9/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.9/10, while Performance at 5.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional ev — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.9/10 for reliability, this ev trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.9/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 5.7/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.7/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $21,268–$25,022, 110 MPG, seating 5, the Nissan LEAF sits in the budget-friendly tier of the ev market. At 7.0/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 11 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2015 Nissan LEAF sits in the middle of the field. Until its reliability and technology and performance scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2015 Nissan LEAF ranks #251 of 268 evs in the Carivo database — better than 7% of the segment. Its 6.9/10 overall score is 0.7 points below the segment average of 7.6/10. Its $21,268 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $52,750 by about 60%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full EV ranking → · Best EVs under $25k →
Across the LEAF model years we've scored, the 2015 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.3/10 | $29,135 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.3/10 | $29,135 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.2/10 | $28,260 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.2/10 | $27,386 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.2/10 | $26,512 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.1/10 | $25,638 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.1/10 | $24,764 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 6.9/10 | $23,890 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.0/10 | $23,016 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 6.8/10 | $22,142 | Read review → |
| 2015 (this review) | 6.9/10 | $21,268 |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Air bags 13/04/2017 · 17V253000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 LEAF and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentra vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error within the air bag inflators, the passenger frontal air bag may not properly deploy in the event of a crash. |
|---|---|
| Service brakes 29/02/2016 · 16V119000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 LEAF vehicles manufactured November 19, 2012, to July 31, 2015. During very cold temperatures, the relay inside the electronic brake booster may freeze, requiring the driver to… |
| Air bags / Sensor / Occupant classification 26/04/2016 · 16V244000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and… |
| Equipment / Other / Owners/service/other manual 26/04/2023 · 23V296000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2017 LEAF vehicles. The Owner's Manual instructions for defroster operation are incorrect and may result in reduced defroster performance under specific conditions. As such, these vehicles… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2015 Nissan LEAF's reliability 6.9/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
4 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 6.9/10 overall, ranking #251 of 268 evs in our database (better than 7% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2015 Nissan LEAF starts at $21,268 and ranges up to $25,022 across trims (MSRP when new). At 110 MPG, expect roughly $477/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Nissan models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.