redesign the shifter

[CeeDub]

I think the leaf would be better served with a more regular shift pattern on the shifter. Just use the same "computer mouse" shifter and make it slide back and forth with the usual P R N D pattern with the B mode added after D. The side action seems totally unnecessary. Simple change that should cost Nissan almost nothing. I think it would appeal to a broader buyer base rather than just the early adopters and teck-savy buyers.

[TomT]

The shifter was one of the things that my wife loved about the Leaf. Her comment: "Why aren't other cars like this?"

I was trying to convince my wife to get a Leaf for her commute, but she felt insecure driving the car due to the strange shifter.

[braineo]

she never used a computer mouse?

I think the shifter is simply brilliant to make the car feel like it was straight from the Jetsons.

I love it, even when I have hit the P while driving at highway speeds (and quickly shifted back to D)

[CeeDub]

[ASP]

The shifter is one of the things I love about the car. I want there to be a few details that set it apart from everything else on the road.

[jotunheim]

Overall, I like the shifter, but there should be at least be an interlock to keep from pressing "P" on accident and locking up the brakes. This happened at a local dealership here in Milwaukee to one of the demo cars and got rear ended badly.

[johnrhansen]

Personally, I like the shifter the way it is... But I also wish it didn't creep forward when the brake is released and didn't do regenerative braking when you let off the gas. There should be a switch on the steering wheel to progressively apply the regenerative braking instead. In short, this is an electric car. It should not have programming to drive like an old fashioned car. It should be new and drive like the innovation that it is.

[EVDRIVER]

I think you are in an extreme minority on this topic. Once of the issues with the LEAF is it is too much like a ICE car, sadly. If this kept you from buying the car then an EV is not for you, likely many consumer electronics as well.

[Boomer23]

I love the shifter, especially on my 2013 LEAF because I can toggle quickly and easily between D and B modes when I want more or less regen. I can do this without taking my eyes off the road.

My wife had no problem learning to use a similar shifter design on our Prius, and after driving a Prius, getting used to the LEAF shifter is a non-event.

If you really want a LEAF, you might see if you can rent one from the dealer for a week. Drive it around with your spouse and show her how simple it is.

[siai]

I don't see any problem with the shifter on the LEAF. Seems to work just fine. If you want a car with a Quirky shifter---drive a I-MiEV. It's fun to drive a left hand drive car with a right hand drive car shifter.