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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | EV |
| Base Price | $24,764–$28,635 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.1/10, the 2019 Nissan LEAF earns a Good rating among the evs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.4/10, 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. Reliability comes in at 7.1/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 8.4/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
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 6.9/10 — 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 $24,764–$28,635, 110 MPG, seating 5, the Nissan LEAF sits in the budget-friendly tier of the ev market. Value lands at 7.1/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 7 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2019 Nissan LEAF, but it needs the right buyer. Its technology and performance scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
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 2019 Nissan LEAF ranks #234 of 268 evs in the Carivo database — better than 13% of the segment. Its 7.1/10 overall score is 0.5 points below the segment average of 7.6/10. Its $24,764 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $52,750 by about 53%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full EV ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2016 Nissan LEAF scores 6.8/10 — within striking distance of the 2019's 7.1 — 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 (this review) | 7.1/10 | $24,764 | |
| 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 | 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… |
| Electrical system / Propulsion system / Traction battery 20/09/2024 · 24V700000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 LEAF vehicles equipped with a Level 3 quick charging port. The lithium-ion battery may overheat during Level 3 charging. |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Explore the full lineup of Nissan models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.