2020+ Bolt vs. 2019+ Leaf Plus
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That's sort weird. I wonder what the explanation is.
Then again, the Bolt's insurance is so much higher than any other car I've had that an extra $100/year would barely be noticeable.
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I test drove a fully loaded 2019 Leaf SV Plus a few weeks before I bought my 2017 Bolt in July 2020.
I went on a 100+ mile test drive up I-5 at night during summer, tested the Pro Pilot system and was absolutely amazed by it at the time. It also had 200 hp and was about as quick as the Bolt.
The Leaf has comfier seats than the 2017 Bolt (but about the same as the 2022) and more cargo space. Higher quality materials and build quality, particularly in the lack of squeaky bits of plastic. But not too different than the original Leaf.
Then I plugged it into the charger the next day at the mall, and it overheated and went into the red.
So back it went... in retrospect, I haven't gone on any trips longer than about 75 miles since then because of covid and family so the Leaf would have been absolutely fine. Except for when it got 117 degrees here. My wife's 2015 Leaf actually overheated all the way to the max... and we never even drove it. 😨
However, I have read several sources claim that the current gen Leaf basically doesn't suffer from heat related battery degradation to the degree that the original ones did. And they don't have the burn-ey problem either.
I went on a 100+ mile test drive up I-5 at night during summer, tested the Pro Pilot system and was absolutely amazed by it at the time. It also had 200 hp and was about as quick as the Bolt.
The Leaf has comfier seats than the 2017 Bolt (but about the same as the 2022) and more cargo space. Higher quality materials and build quality, particularly in the lack of squeaky bits of plastic. But not too different than the original Leaf.
Then I plugged it into the charger the next day at the mall, and it overheated and went into the red.
So back it went... in retrospect, I haven't gone on any trips longer than about 75 miles since then because of covid and family so the Leaf would have been absolutely fine. Except for when it got 117 degrees here. My wife's 2015 Leaf actually overheated all the way to the max... and we never even drove it. 😨
However, I have read several sources claim that the current gen Leaf basically doesn't suffer from heat related battery degradation to the degree that the original ones did. And they don't have the burn-ey problem either.
Well, sure, multiple DC FCs on a Leaf in a day can drive into the red on its temp gauge. Or, I guess high ambient temps can push it fairly high. 117 F is pretty crazy. Ever wondered how Hot your battery can reach and still be funtional? - My Nissan Leaf Forum got his battery up to 137 F (~58.3 C).
I'm in a hotter part of the SF Bay Area but I've never seen its temp gauge that close to red and I monitored actual sensor temps via Leaf Spy (the app that guy used) instead of the crap temp bars. Also, my last Leaf, a '13 didn't even have a CHAdeMO inlet so it's not like I could roast it from DC FCing. L2 charging barely heated up the battery.
I also took steps to keep the battery cooler while it was at work (see below):
www.mynissanleaf.com
www.mynissanleaf.com
www.mynissanleaf.com
However, if I were really hardcore, I would've charged it overnight outside only instead of charging it all at work. But L2 charging is free at my work and I don't like paying Pacific Gouge & Extort to charge at home.
Yes, it seems like the 40 kWh packs (available on non-Plus model year '18+) are holding up pretty well from a degradation POV. The 62 kWh packs on Plus Leafs seem to be holding up ok too, but they're kinda new. Leaf Plus didn't go on sale in the US until ~Spring 2019.
I'm in a hotter part of the SF Bay Area but I've never seen its temp gauge that close to red and I monitored actual sensor temps via Leaf Spy (the app that guy used) instead of the crap temp bars. Also, my last Leaf, a '13 didn't even have a CHAdeMO inlet so it's not like I could roast it from DC FCing. L2 charging barely heated up the battery.
I also took steps to keep the battery cooler while it was at work (see below):
New 2018 SV owner - questions/intro - Page 2 - My Nissan Leaf Forum
www.mynissanleaf.com
New 2018 SV owner - questions/intro - My Nissan Leaf Forum
www.mynissanleaf.com
2013 Car to car battery variability - My Nissan Leaf Forum
www.mynissanleaf.com
Yes, it seems like the 40 kWh packs (available on non-Plus model year '18+) are holding up pretty well from a degradation POV. The 62 kWh packs on Plus Leafs seem to be holding up ok too, but they're kinda new. Leaf Plus didn't go on sale in the US until ~Spring 2019.
I was close to buying a used Leaf twice!
The first one was a white 2019 Leaf SV for $19K 30k miles. The second was a silver 2020 Leaf SV for $25K with 25k miles. They had a Leaf plus for $32K but I felt it was too much for a used car.
I just can't stomach the 150 miles range, air cooled battery, CHAdeMO port, a subwoofer that sticks out in the middle of the trunk, rear seats that don't fold flat, the tiny low resolution center screen, and lane keep assist that buzz the steering wheel like a hairclipper not to mention the teeny tiny arm rest.
I thought the front lockable charge ports were cool. The front seats were very comfortable and it rode a lot better than the first gen Bolt.
But in the end the 2nd gen Bolt won my business.
The first one was a white 2019 Leaf SV for $19K 30k miles. The second was a silver 2020 Leaf SV for $25K with 25k miles. They had a Leaf plus for $32K but I felt it was too much for a used car.
I just can't stomach the 150 miles range, air cooled battery, CHAdeMO port, a subwoofer that sticks out in the middle of the trunk, rear seats that don't fold flat, the tiny low resolution center screen, and lane keep assist that buzz the steering wheel like a hairclipper not to mention the teeny tiny arm rest.
I thought the front lockable charge ports were cool. The front seats were very comfortable and it rode a lot better than the first gen Bolt.
But in the end the 2nd gen Bolt won my business.
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