Love and Hate about our new Leaf 2018

[LeaferSutherland]

I like coasting, feels like good coasting will save more energy than regen gives back. I could be wrong on this.

If circumstances allow it safely, coasting is always much more efficient than regen.

About the Bose stereo: did the people who dislike it adjust the sound through the menu? It sounds very mediocre off the lot, but much better when adjusted for personal tastes.

Made some adjustments but the issue is simply the limitations of the system IMO. It sounds fine to me at lower volume. It just doesn’t have the power / speakers to handle the deeper bass at a higher volume- which in my experience is usually the limiting factor for any stereo that is cheap, portable, or low power. This is with hip hop music. It’s not terrible, much better than stock system in my Chevy truck for example, it’s just not premium.

[GerryAZ]

The problem I see with the Bose, is the ridiculously huge amplifier usurping the floor of the cargo area.
How is it in practice?

The cargo area in my 2015 with the Bose unit is larger than the 2011 (onboard charger in 2011 and 2012 takes some room behind rear seat) so it did not bother me. Initially, I tried to avoid stacking heavy stuff on the subwoofer. Eventually, I stopped worrying about it and I now just throw stuff in the back. So far, I have not damaged the Bose unit.

I was never happy with the door speakers in the 2011 and always planned to replace them so it was a given that I would get the Bose system when I was forced to replace the 2011. As delivered, the Bose system was somewhat better than the 2011, but I was not really happy with it. After I had the 2015 for a while, I was going through the menus on the navigation system and found the audio adjustments. I was amazed at the difference that the menu adjustments made.

[jake14mw]

When I bought my 2014 SL recently, I was impressed that it was going to have a Bose system. I'm no longer impressed. It's the least impressive of our three cars, and the other two just have stock standard systems. I always shake my head at the size of the unit in the trunk and wonder why it needs to be so big for the sound it provides.

[Marty]

Love
The heating system, much better than our 2012
The E-Pedal, makes driving simpler
The quiet ride
The Auto setting for headlights
The color and appearance

Dislike
Nissan EV Connect
The battery design
The anticipated life of the battery
The faith I have for Nissan to do the right thing

2018 Nissan Leaf SV
(So glad we're leasing it)

[RonSwanson]

Love
The heating system, much better than our 2012
The E-Pedal, makes driving simpler
The quiet ride
The Auto setting for headlights
The color and appearance

Dislike
Nissan EV Connect
The battery design
The anticipated life of the battery
The faith I have for Nissan to do the right thing

2018 Nissan Leaf SV
(So glad we're leasing it)

What is the anticipated life of the battery?

[WetEV]

What is the anticipated life of the battery?

Nissan might know. Or not.

Safest assumption is that the battery will last the warranty. So plan on that.

[pyromancy5]

Not sure how compatible your 2018 is with some of these mods, but I had many similar complaints about my 2014 SL.

Horns: I quickly ordered and installed Hella SharpTones. MUCH improved.

Charge Timer: I use the one on my Siemens Versicharge

Lighted Window Switches: There is a thread on this forum on how to do this. We found that some Altima models have the same switches, and we swapped them out. Window and unlock are now lit. Look at the switches in your car to see if they are compatible with this mod.

I've never had trouble getting the app to work for charging or starting the climate control. That's all I use it for.

The DST is a step back. In mine, if you set one, it sets both clocks.

[SageBrush]

What is the anticipated life of the battery?

Nissan might know. Or not.

Safest assumption is that the battery will last the warranty. So plan on that.

Just remember that the warranty only kicks in around 60-65% of new capacity and now that Nissan has a refurb battery business, I would not count on getting a new battery if the warranty activates.

All this means that a potential buyer has to have a very clear idea of the demands the LEAF will be asked to carry. The car will last 2 -10 years. YMMW

[RonSwanson]

What is the anticipated life of the battery?

Nissan might know. Or not.

Safest assumption is that the battery will last the warranty. So plan on that.

Just remember that the warranty only kicks in around 60-65% of new capacity and now that Nissan has a refurb battery business, I would not count on getting a new battery if the warranty activates.

All this means that a potential buyer has to have a very clear idea of the demands the LEAF will be asked to carry. The car will last 2 -10 years. YMMW

2-10 years is quite a span. Does this mean if I drive a lot and in hot weather my car is more likely to only last closer to 2 years rather than 10?

[SageBrush]

Nissan might know. Or not.

Safest assumption is that the battery will last the warranty. So plan on that.

Just remember that the warranty only kicks in around 60-65% of new capacity and now that Nissan has a refurb battery business, I would not count on getting a new battery if the warranty activates.

All this means that a potential buyer has to have a very clear idea of the demands the LEAF will be asked to carry. The car will last 2 -10 years. YMMW

2-10 years is quite a span. Does this mean if I drive a lot and in hot weather my car is more likely to only last closer to 2 years rather than 10?

Yes, but "last" is somewhat misleading. "Meet your needs" is more to the point. If the car only has to go 50 miles between charges then 10 years; but if you require 100 miles between charges then I would not count on more than two years.