Launched: 2023 Nissan Leaf Facelift – Now with Type 2 Port, Priced RM168,888

Local Nissan vanguards Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has officially launched the facelifted version of the Nissan Leaf EV. This second-gen facelifted Leaf will commence sales from Mar 10 onwards, now RM7,000 cheaper than the model it replaces, featuring minor updates in both styling and equipment offered.

Also coming in a single variant, the 2023 Nissan Leaf facelift still harnesses the same front-mounted (FWD) single electric motor layout rated at 148 HP and 320 NM. This setup grants the Leaf with a nought to 100 KM/H acceleration time of 7.9 seconds, as well as a governed V-max of 155 KM/H. 

Powering the Leaf’s powertrain is the same 40-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that delivers up to 311 KM of maximum travel range. Still retaining the 350 V architecture, the Leaf can be charged fully via 6.6 kW AC charging in about seven hours. There is also DC fast charging at 50 kW rate offered, where it will take around one hour to fill up the battery pack to brim.

The Leaf still retains the front-mounted charging connector location, albeit the facelift model now finally comes with a Type 2 connector instead of Type 1 like the previous model. ETCM also offers a complimentary three-pin AC charging cable for every purchase of the Leaf, where it will take about 12 hours to fully charge the car via the plug’s 3.6 kW AC charging.

Visually, the facelifted Leaf boasts a very minor styling change, headlined by the blackened front grille and headlights insert that blend well with the dual-tone black roof finish. The lower part of the front bumper has also been redesigned, though it retains the body colour instead of being draped in black.

The dual-tone roof finish goes all the way to the upper rear part of the car, giving the rear profile a wider and sportier stance. The aerokit upgrade also sees the rear bumper being reworked with an addition of grey-hued diffuser to complete the sporty stance of this EV.

Finally, the facelifted Nissan Leaf rides on a set of 17-inch wheels with multi-spoke design, finished in dual-tone black and silver.

The Nissan Leaf is offered in seven different exterior hue options, ranging from Stealth Grey, Akatsuki Sunrise Copper, Burgundy, Vivid Blue, Pure White Pearl, Midnight Black, as well as its new hero colour, the Opera Mauve.

The facelift treatment remains to be quite mild in its cabin, with the most notable update being the new 8-inch infotainment display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay supported. Customers can opt for either the Graphite Black or Stone Grey leather upholstery options plus a few alcantara bits too. Aside from that, the Leaf’s cabin remains pretty much the same as before.

In terms of safety, the facelifted Leaf sports the latest Nissan Intelligent Mobility suite of advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). This new ADAS suite adds a few features, which are the Lane Intervention and Lane Departure Warning (LDW), as well as high beam assist (HBA). Besides that, other standard ADAS features include Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with Forward Emergency Braking (FEB), Around View Monitor (I-AVM) with Moving Object Detection (I-MOD), Driver Alertness (I-DA), as well as Ride Control and Trace Control.

Fully-imported (CBU) from Japan, the 2023 Nissan Leaf facelift starts at RM168,888 OTR sans insurance – which makes it RM7,000 cheaper than the previous model. For that price, customers will get the standard 3-year or 100,000 KM vehicle warranty, plus an additional 8-year or 160,000 KM of battery warranty.

Apart from the full price, ETCM also offers a special Leaf Subscription Plan, where customers have to fork out RM1,800 monthly for a 3-year subscription of the new Nissan Leaf, with no upfront payment required. Aside from getting to own the Leaf EV, customers will also get additional perks from this subscription, which include the complimentary 23-day rental annually of the Nissan X-Trail SUV, Serena MPV, as well as the Navara pick-up.