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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Transmission | Automatic (A1) |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Electricity |
| City / Hwy MPG | 125 / 100 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 112 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $700 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | EV |
| Base Price | $23,890–$31,447 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2018 Nissan LEAF is a ev that earns a Carivo score of 6.9/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.0/10, while Performance at 5.6/10 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. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.1/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.0/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 5.6/10 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 $23,890–$31,447, 110 MPG, seating 5, the Nissan LEAF sits in the budget-friendly tier of the ev market. At 7.1/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 8 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 2018 Nissan LEAF sits in the middle of the field. Until its 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 2018 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 $23,890 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $52,750 by about 55%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full EV ranking → · Best EVs under $25k →
Smart-money pick: the 2015 Nissan LEAF scores 6.9/10 — within striking distance of the 2018's 6.9 — and starts roughly $2,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| 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 (this review) | 6.9/10 | $23,890 | |
| 2017 | 7.0/10 | $23,016 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 6.8/10 | $22,142 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.9/10 | $21,268 | Read review → |
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.
| Back over prevention / sensing system / camera 12/09/2019 · 19V654000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as… |
|---|---|
| Equipment / Other / Owners/service/other manual 02/02/2023 · 23V048000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2023 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… |
| Vehicle speed control 17/07/2023 · 23V494000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2023 LEAF vehicles. The vehicle may accelerate unintentionally if the driving mode is changed ("D" to "B"; e-Pedal "On"; or "ECO" mode) after disengaging the cruise control. |
| Back over prevention / sensing system / camera 02/02/2024 · 24V071000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2022 LEAF vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2018 Nissan LEAF's reliability 7.1/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. 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 2018 Nissan LEAF starts at $23,890 and ranges up to $31,447 across trims (MSRP when new). At 110 MPG, expect roughly $477/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other evs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Nissan models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
