PH-spec Nissan LEAF receives a refresh for 2023

As a co-presenter of the 10th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit, Nissan Philippines, Inc. (NPI) brought out its big gun with the unveiling of the refreshed LEAF.

The 2023 Nissan LEAF at the 10th PEVS

The 2023 Nissan LEAF comes with changes on the exterior, giving more character to the company's entry into the electric vehicle (EV) market. It also received an update in the tech department that aims to make driving safer. What are these changes? Read on to find out.

Exterior

Perhaps the biggest updates on the new Nissan LEAF are found on the exterior. The 16-inch alloy wheels get a new and unique design. It looks like an unconventional star finished with a two-tone scheme consisting of what appear to be chrome and black.

Nissan Philippines continues to advance the EV market

The headlights, which still use halogens, now come with black surrounds. These complement the LED boomerang-shaped daytime running lights (DRLs) and redesigned blacked-out grille guided by the brand's signature V-Motion layout. Other new design updates include a revamped spoiler and an under-diffuser.

Interior

Moving to the interior, the new LEAF appears to come without significant updates. This means that the cabin welcomes passengers with its fabric seats, with the driver's seat getting a 6-way manual adjust function. Meanwhile, the front passenger seat still has a 4-way manual adjust function with a retractable headrest.

Like the outgoing model, the steering wheel is finished in leather, housing the controls for the cruise control, audio, Handsfree Bluetooth call, and Speed Limited Switches, among others. The 12-volt socket and single USB port also remain in the new version, which can help passengers keep their devices charged up on the go.

Tech & Safety

The 8-inch infotainment touchscreen has been carried over to the refreshed LEAF. It is equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and six speakers. Also retained on the new model are features such as an Intelligent Key for its keyless entry system, push-button start-stop system, and automatic climate control with a heater function.

Nissan is one of the first players in the local EV market with the LEAF

What's new is the inclusion of the Intelligent Rear View Mirror. This allows drivers to see the back view on the rearview mirror using a camera, coming in handy when something inside the cabin is blocking the vista from the rearview mirror. The Intelligent Rear View Mirror is added to the standard features of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility suite such as the e-Pedal, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Departure Warning.

Powertrain

No changes were made to the model's electrified powertrain. The Nissan LEAF is still powered by an electric motor and a 40 kWh lithium-ion battery, churning out 148 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque. It sends power exclusively to the front wheels via a single-speed reduction gear transmission.

The EV powertrain is carried over

As for the EV capabilities, the LEAF offers a range of 311 km on one full charge based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). The charging time should take around 18.5 hours, with the optional Wall Box Charger providing faster charging of 7.5 hours.

Price

Despite the updates for the 2023 Nissan LEAF, the Japanese EV is actually offered with a slightly less expensive price tag at Php 2,790,000 (from Php 2,798,000 on the previous version). It is now available in select dealerships nationwide including in Manila Bay, Makati, Cebu, and Tagum, among others.

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