kubel
Well-known member
My thanks to Yark Nissan in Toledo, OH.
Initial impressions...
1) Seats
Almost every reviewer of the car said the seats are less firm and less supporting than similar cars of its size/class. But I thought the heated seats were amazingly comfortable and provided excellent support. Definitely more comfortable than my car, and my seats are designed for extended use. I also noticed something that probably isn't relevant to that many people, but the seats are also forgiving when it comes to holsters. I was quite comfortable carrying while driving. Other seats, like many newer Ford sedans, have more sporty bucket seats that tightly wrap around your waist to provide more support in turns- but that can sometimes cause problems when carrying. Overall, I was impressed with the LEAF's seats. Just enough support, yet enough room to be comfortable.
Rating: A
2) Steering
This car has probably the most boosted power steering of any car I've owned since a 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis. It further enhances the stress-free, comfortable, paradise-like drive. For the type of car it is, I find it acceptable. But here's to hoping that the Nismo LEAF will have a more direct connection between the road and the driver. The heated steering wheel is also awesome. I've never driven a car with a heated steering wheel before. Let's just say that even though it was in the 30's during my test drive, I didn't have to use the heater. Between the seats and the steering wheel, I was nice and toasty the whole time. Granted, the sun was shining. But I think in cold days, the thing that suffers the most from the cold are places where my body touches the car. Nissan was wise to make this standard.
Rating: B
3) Performance
HP figures aren't impressive compared to other cars its size, but man was that torque fun. This car had no problem keeping up with traffic, no problem merging at 70MPH, no problem making turns and darting through tight gaps. It even chirped the tires some. I knew the car had loads of torque, but I was blown away. It was also fun to launch from the stop light and blow away the driver of the car next to you. This car is no race car, but it has no problems whatsoever dispelling the golf-cart performance prejudice surrounding it.
Rating: B+
4) Eco Mode
I found it strange, but I liked this feature above everything else. I couldn't help but be totally relaxed in this car. And strangely enough, eco mode didn't make me feel uncomfortable that I was taking off slower than everyone else. In fact, when I got back in my gas car to drive home, I missed this feature. I think I would find myself using eco mode most of the time, except on highways.
Rating: A
5) GPS
I didn't like this feature. Maybe it's because I wasn't familiar with it. Maybe it's because when you start moving it disables input (I'm guessing that can be disabled). But it just didn't seem as mature as something that you would find from Garmin or TomTom. I'm also not happy that it seems it doesn't list nearly as many charging station as my phone's ChargePoint app does. Again, maybe there are some settings that can help. But overall, if I could have them take $800 off the price and remove the GPS, I would have them do it.
Rating: C
6) Backup Camera
This is a nice feature, but one that I could probably do without. I got the feeling that if I owned an SL for a week, I probably would get addicted to the backup camera. But it's just not worth the extra price of the SL for me.
Rating: B+
7) Speakers
Maybe this is just me or maybe it was the stations I was listening to, but the speakers didn't sound at all impressive. It would be nice if they offered a sound system upgrade as an option. Certainly not a deal breaker since aftermarket speakers are always an option if necessary.
Rating: B-
Overall, the lasting impression is that of comfort. Not just comfort as in 'this car feels comfortable', but comfort as in psychological comfort. Think about it, when you walk to the car, it has a smooth cheerful style. When you get into the car, the colors are light and inviting. Starting the car and putting it into drive doesn't involve twisting a key and slamming around a shifter. It's just- push a button, and gently slide the hockey puck. Then when the car goes, it's quiet, smooth, and effortless to drive. Then add to it the psychological comfort associated with knowing you are driving a clean car that uses domestic energy and doesn't finance overseas dictators and terrorists and war. Overall, the car seems eager to comfort you in every way possible. And that's perhaps the best quality of the LEAF.
I went ahead and ordered a Cayenne Red SV.
Initial impressions...
1) Seats
Almost every reviewer of the car said the seats are less firm and less supporting than similar cars of its size/class. But I thought the heated seats were amazingly comfortable and provided excellent support. Definitely more comfortable than my car, and my seats are designed for extended use. I also noticed something that probably isn't relevant to that many people, but the seats are also forgiving when it comes to holsters. I was quite comfortable carrying while driving. Other seats, like many newer Ford sedans, have more sporty bucket seats that tightly wrap around your waist to provide more support in turns- but that can sometimes cause problems when carrying. Overall, I was impressed with the LEAF's seats. Just enough support, yet enough room to be comfortable.
Rating: A
2) Steering
This car has probably the most boosted power steering of any car I've owned since a 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis. It further enhances the stress-free, comfortable, paradise-like drive. For the type of car it is, I find it acceptable. But here's to hoping that the Nismo LEAF will have a more direct connection between the road and the driver. The heated steering wheel is also awesome. I've never driven a car with a heated steering wheel before. Let's just say that even though it was in the 30's during my test drive, I didn't have to use the heater. Between the seats and the steering wheel, I was nice and toasty the whole time. Granted, the sun was shining. But I think in cold days, the thing that suffers the most from the cold are places where my body touches the car. Nissan was wise to make this standard.
Rating: B
3) Performance
HP figures aren't impressive compared to other cars its size, but man was that torque fun. This car had no problem keeping up with traffic, no problem merging at 70MPH, no problem making turns and darting through tight gaps. It even chirped the tires some. I knew the car had loads of torque, but I was blown away. It was also fun to launch from the stop light and blow away the driver of the car next to you. This car is no race car, but it has no problems whatsoever dispelling the golf-cart performance prejudice surrounding it.
Rating: B+
4) Eco Mode
I found it strange, but I liked this feature above everything else. I couldn't help but be totally relaxed in this car. And strangely enough, eco mode didn't make me feel uncomfortable that I was taking off slower than everyone else. In fact, when I got back in my gas car to drive home, I missed this feature. I think I would find myself using eco mode most of the time, except on highways.
Rating: A
5) GPS
I didn't like this feature. Maybe it's because I wasn't familiar with it. Maybe it's because when you start moving it disables input (I'm guessing that can be disabled). But it just didn't seem as mature as something that you would find from Garmin or TomTom. I'm also not happy that it seems it doesn't list nearly as many charging station as my phone's ChargePoint app does. Again, maybe there are some settings that can help. But overall, if I could have them take $800 off the price and remove the GPS, I would have them do it.
Rating: C
6) Backup Camera
This is a nice feature, but one that I could probably do without. I got the feeling that if I owned an SL for a week, I probably would get addicted to the backup camera. But it's just not worth the extra price of the SL for me.
Rating: B+
7) Speakers
Maybe this is just me or maybe it was the stations I was listening to, but the speakers didn't sound at all impressive. It would be nice if they offered a sound system upgrade as an option. Certainly not a deal breaker since aftermarket speakers are always an option if necessary.
Rating: B-
Overall, the lasting impression is that of comfort. Not just comfort as in 'this car feels comfortable', but comfort as in psychological comfort. Think about it, when you walk to the car, it has a smooth cheerful style. When you get into the car, the colors are light and inviting. Starting the car and putting it into drive doesn't involve twisting a key and slamming around a shifter. It's just- push a button, and gently slide the hockey puck. Then when the car goes, it's quiet, smooth, and effortless to drive. Then add to it the psychological comfort associated with knowing you are driving a clean car that uses domestic energy and doesn't finance overseas dictators and terrorists and war. Overall, the car seems eager to comfort you in every way possible. And that's perhaps the best quality of the LEAF.
I went ahead and ordered a Cayenne Red SV.
