2023 Nissan Leaf Facelift

Almost four years after it was first introduced in our market, the facelift version of the second-generation Nissan Leaf EV is finally coming to Malaysia. Not only that, the 2023 iteration is priced much lower as well.

As this is a facelift release, the 2023 Leaf still has the same body shape as its 2019 counterpart. There are still some aesthetic changes but they were rather subtle and you have to pay close attention to spot them.

2023 Nissan Leaf Facelift
The 2023 Nissan Leaf Facelift. [Image: Nissan.]
2019 Nissan Leaf for GoEV
The 2019 Nissan Leaf, that GoCar used for its GoEV fleet.

Among the changes are an all-black aero grille, grey-accent diffuser, and the refreshed Nissan logo as well as a slightly tweaked lower bumper and rear spoiler. If you looking for the easiest way to identify the 2023 model, that would be its 17-inch wheels which feature a more aggressive design that looked so different from the “Turbine” design that was featured on the 2019 model.

Inside, the changes can be identified more easily though. For one, there is the new NissanConnect infotainment system with a bigger 8-inch touchscreen alongside the support for both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay albeit limited to wired USB Type-A connection.

2023 Nissan Leaf Facelift
The new NissanConnect infotainment system with a larger 8-inch display. Do note that the image above is a generic press image and the climate control buttons for the Malaysian variant of the facelift model don’t look like that. Instead, it is similar to the original 2019 release, as per shown below. [Image: Nissan.]
2019 Nissan Leaf for GoEV
The infotainment console from the 2019 Leaf. The company has retained the climate control buttons and drive mode selectors for the new 2023 Leaf facelift model.

The 2023 iteration has also been provided with a rear-view mirror that has a built-in LCD display that users can activate to show the live video feed from the Leaf’s rear camera. While the Malaysian variant still does not come with adaptive cruise control, the facelift model still surpassed its 2019 counterpart by having Intelligent Lane Intervention and Lane Departure Warning.

Other safety features that Nissan has retained for the facelift model include six SRS airbags, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning with Forward Emergency brake, the 360-degree Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection, Intelligent Driver Alertness, Intelligent Ride Control, and Intelligent Trace Control.

The new Smart Rear View Mirror for the 2023 Leaf facelift. [Image: Nissan.]

When it comes to performance, the facelift release still comes with a front-mounted 110kW (~150PS) motor that delivers maximum torque of 320Nm. With a maximum speed that has been electronically limited to 155km/h, the Leaf can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds.

Powering the EV is a 40kWh lithium-ion battery which allows the 2023 Leaf to reach a maximum range of 311 km according to the NEDC standards. As for charging time, it takes around seven hours to fully charge the battery via the Leaf’s onboard 6.6kW AC charger which now features a more up-to-date Type 2 connector.

The charging time can be reduced to just one hour through a 50kW DC fast charger (DCFC). However, Nissan has decided to continue using the CHAdeMO connector for DC fast charging on the Malaysian unit though.

This made us feel slightly baffled given that local EV Charge Point Operators generally seemed to prefer the CCS2 connector for their DCFCs. Furthermore, all of the newer EVs that officially entered Malaysia after Leaf have opted for the CCS2 connector too.

2023 Nissan Leaf Facelift
[Image: Nissan.]
The 2019 Nissan Leaf, that GoCar used for its GoEV fleet.

When it comes to pricing, the 2023 Leaf facelift can be obtained in Malaysia starting this Friday, 10 March onwards for RM168,888 on-the-road without insurance. As a comparison, the existing 2019 Leaf is currently priced at RM175,800.

Just like its predecessor, Nissan Malaysia continues to provide a 3-year / 100,000km warranty and a separate 8-year / 160,000km warranty for the 2023 Leaf. Customers can choose to get their hands on the EV in Stealth Grey, Vivid Blue, Midnight Black, Pure White Pearl, Burgundy, Opera Mauve, and Akatsuki Sunrise Copper although all Malaysian units do feature a Super Black roof regardless of the colour option that they picked up.

2023 Leaf Facelift in Akatsuki Sunrise Copper colourway. [Image: Nissan.]

The upcoming arrival of the 2023 Leaf facelift model will further expand the growing sub-RM200k EV market in Malaysia which currently features BYD Atto 3, Ora Good Cat, Hyundai Kona Electric, Renault ZOE, Mini Electric, and Mazda MX-30. While their price range may have united them together, each of these models has its own pros and cons across various factors such as performance, range, and design.

Based on the specs sheet alone, we reckoned that the Leaf lies somewhere in the middle of the field. That being said, the model is starting to show its age though especially given that the genesis of the 2023 facelift model can be traced way back to 2017 – the year when the second-generation Leaf was first introduced to the market.

(Source: PaulTan, SoyaCincau.)

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