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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | EV |
| Base Price | $25,638–$34,027 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2020 Nissan LEAF at 7.1/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this ev. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.1/10, 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. We score reliability at 7.2/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 8.1/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify 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 $25,638–$34,027, 110 MPG, seating 5, the Nissan LEAF sits in the mid-market bracket of the ev segment. The 7.5/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2020 Nissan LEAF is a passable ev but not a standout one. Weaknesses in technology and performance hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
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 2020 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 $25,638 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $52,750 by about 51%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full EV ranking → · Best EVs under $35k →
Smart-money pick: the 2017 Nissan LEAF scores 7.0/10 — within striking distance of the 2020'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 (this review) | 7.1/10 | $25,638 | |
| 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 | 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 17/07/2020 · 20V412000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 LEAF electric vehicles. Under certain circumstances, the images for the back-up camera can disappear while in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety… |
|---|---|
| Visibility / Glass, side/rear 22/09/2020 · 20V570000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle. |
| 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… |
Showing 5 of 6 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
We rate the 2020 Nissan LEAF's reliability 7.2/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
6 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 7.1/10 overall, ranking #234 of 268 evs in our database (better than 13% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2020 Nissan LEAF starts at $25,638 and ranges up to $34,027 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.