Car Buying Strategies
Search Car Buying Strategies Makes & Models Select a Make and Model Makes & Models Select a Make and Model New Cars Prices Buying Advice
Home / New Cars / Nissan Buying Guides / 2019 Nissan Leaf

2019 Nissan Leaf Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

2019 Nissan Leaf Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons: S vs SV vs SL

What 2019 Nissan Leaf Trim Level Should you Buy? What is the Difference Between Trims?

When the Nissan Leaf made its debut back in 2011, its 73 miles of electric range was pretty mind-blowing. Over the years, and now into its second generation, Nissan continues to up the ante by placing bigger batteries into its electric car. However, the 150 miles of pure electric range that it now gets is being out-shined by the Tesla Model 3's whopping 310 miles. Even the Chevy Bolt and Hyunai Kona Electric best the Nissan Leaf by over 100 miles.

So, what's an auto manufacturer to do? Pack a ton of standard features in and make them relatively affordable, of course. Even the base S trim offers a decent array of features. All three trim levels (the S, SV, and SL) come with the same 110 kW AC synchronous electric motor (which produces 147 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque), 40 kWh lithium ion battery, and 6.6 kW onboard charger. The drivetrain has a single-speed reduction gear, e-pedal (which allows you to use the conventional brakes as needed), B-Mode and Eco Mode. There are standard front and rear vented disc brakes that come with hill start assist and brake assist.

What, then, makes these three trim levels stand apart from one another? How are you supposed to know which 2019 Nissan Leaf trim level best suits your needs? Continue reading through this review, and, by the end of it, you should have a clearer idea of which trim is right for you. Now, let's break down the Nissan Leaf's three trim levels.

 

Compare the 2019 Nissan Leaf S vs SV Trims. What is the difference?

The 2019 Nissan Leaf's base S trim and mid-level SV are equally powerful with the same mechanical specs equipped on each. What sets them apart, however, are their lists of features. Each trim level is fairly well-equipped, and the S trim is quite modestly priced for an EV. But is it really a better choice than the SV?

On the outside, both the S and SV come with wind-diffusing power side mirrors, a rear spoiler, rear diffuser, halogen headlights, automatic on/off headlights, solar glass that reduces UV rays, and a charge port that comes equipped with a lock and a light. What makes these two trim levels different on the exterior, though, is pretty important. While the S sits atop 16-inch steel wheels, the SV gets upgraded to 17-inch machine-finished aluminum-alloy ones. The SV also gets upgrades to the lights, and you can opt to include LED headlights with daytime running lights.

For the most part, the S and SV have cabins that look fairly similar to one another. For example, they both come equipped with 6-way manually-adjustable driver bucket seats, 4-way manually-adjustable front passenger bucket seats, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats that are all upholstered in cloth. The SV does offer an optional 8-way power-adjustable driver seat with 2-way adjustable lumbar support. It also comes with a standard leather-wrapped steering wheel. You can opt to have the steering wheel and front seats heated on either trim level.

As far as creature comforts go, both trims are well-stocked. There is a 7-inch information display embedded into the gauge cluster, a rearview camera, a hands-free text messaging assistant, automatic temperature control for the cabin, Nissan Intelligent Key with a push button start function, power locks and windows, and a tilt-only steering column. Additionally, you get four bottle holders, two cup holders, and extensions and vanity mirrors on the sun visors up front.

The SV does get a lot more on the inside than the S does. The 5-inch touchscreen display from the S gets swapped out in favor of a 7-inch screen that comes with NissanConnect, the Nissan Navigation System, a 6-speaker sound system, SiriusXM Satellite Radio connectivity, HD radio, and smartphone app integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Cruise control also gets upgraded to intelligent cruise control and options for equipping propilot assist, high beam assist, a hybrid heater system, a HomeLink universal transceiver, and an automatically-dimming rearview mirror.

The amount of safety features you get on the S and SV differ as well. While the S comes with the typical list of standard safety features (such as airbags, vehicle dynamic control with a traction control system, and a tire pressure monitoring system), the SV does give you the option of adding more in the way of driver aids. Automatic emergency braking does come standard on all the trim levels, but the SV lets you choose whether you want to add pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, intelligent lane intervention, and a rear cross traffic alert.

Also, since this is an EV, you should be aware of the fuel economy numbers, which are the same for all three trim levels. As mentioned before, the EPA range for the 2019 Nissan Leaf is 150 miles. This means that it gets approximately 124 city mpge, 99 highway mpge, and a combined 112 mpg.

Compare the 2019 Leaf SV vs SL Trims. What is the difference?

Now that you have seen what the S and SV have to offer, let us get into the line-topping SL trim. The SL is, of course, the most inclusive, taking many of the options available on the mid-level SV and making them standard. They do look quite similar on the outside, as both trim levels utilize the 17-inch wheels and P215/50R17 all-season tires. Both vehicles come with standard fog lights, but the SL upgrades you to standard LED headlights with LED signature daytime running lights. You also get standard heating and integrated turn signals for the side mirrors.

The cabins on the SV and SL have a lot of the same creature comforts, but, again, the SL makes a few more things standard. Like the SV, the SL trim level comes equipped with the 7-inch touchscreen display and NissanConnect System with voice recognition and navigation built in. It also has smartphone app integration, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, HD radio, a hands-free Bluetooth phone system, and intelligent cruise control. It adds an intelligent around-view camera that monitors around the sides of the vehicle as well as the front and rear. Intelligent Driver Alertness is also standard, as are the under-seat heater ducts in the rear and the hybrid heater system. HomeLink and the automatically-dimming rearview mirror also come equipped on the SL. There is also a removable cargo cover for the SL that does not come on either of the two lower trim levels.

As far as the design of the SL's cabin goes, it feels slightly more upscale than the SV's since it includes more standard features. The 8-way power-adjustable driver seat with 2-way lumbar support comes standard, and the cloth trim gets swapped out in favor of some chic leather upholstery. Also, the steering wheel comes with a heating function, making it all the more comfortable to drive the Leaf around in cooler weather.

Nissan also gives the line-topping SL trim the utmost in audio technology. Instead of the SV's 6-speaker sound system, the SL gets a nice 7-speaker energy-efficient Bose audio system. The sound comes out crystal clear and makes for a sweet bonus. You might think that a 7-speaker system is small, but the way that they are distributed throughout the cabin actually serves to enhance the overall quality of the sound. All that in the name of saving some power? Without a doubt, many buyers are going to be attracted to this and will buy the SL just for this upgrade.

Last, but certainly not least, are the safety features. While the SV and SL share a good amount of these, the SL gets the full treatment when it comes to driver aids. The SV's list of standard safety features includes the blind-spot monitoring system and rear cross traffic alert, both of which only come as options on the SV. There are a few safety features that are optional on the SL, such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intelligent lane intervention. All of the other typical standard features (like the LATCH system, seat belts, air bags, the tire pressure monitoring system, and vehicle dynamic control system) can certainly be found on the SL trim.

 

Final Thoughts

Now that we have gone over all three of the 2019 Nissan Leaf's trim levels, you should have a better idea of which one - if any - is the best fit for your unique needs. Each trim has a lot of good things going for it, but if you are looking for the best overall deal, the mid-level SV is it. It keeps the price tag to a reasonable dollar amount but does not skimp on the standard features that get included.

The S is the most affordable, of course, but it just does not have all the trappings of the higher trim levels. However, if you have the extra money to spend, the line-topping SL trim is worth the splurge for the standard inclusion of the energy-efficient Bose sound system and the few extra driver aids that get slapped on.

Save Money on a 2019 Nissan Leaf: