With more and more options blooming, this 2024 Nissan LEAF floated down to our studio to show us what’s new with this pioneering, yet sometimes overlooked battery-electric option.

This SV Plus is the most appointed of two trims, including the powertrain. It uses a larger 60-kilowatt-hour battery and a more powerful 214-horsepower front-wheel-drive electric motor, upgrades over the base LEAF’s 40-kilowatt-hour battery and 147-horsepower motor. Yes, 250 lb-ft of torque make the SV Plus a peppy little machine, but buyers are more likely drawn in by the EPA-estimated 212-mile range. We think that’s great for this little five-seater as a second car, but the base model’s 149 miles may be an adequate commuter for some.

17-inch wheels and LED headlights give away the SV Plus from the outside, but both models appear quite similar… as do their cabins; but the SV Plus packs a little bit more, like power and heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The 7-inch, smartphone-compatible infotainment screen is standard in both, as are a number of safety and convenience features, with the Plus getting a slight edge there with Nissan’s ProPilot Assist suite.

With the lowest list price of any battery-electric sold in the U.S., the 2024 Nissan LEAF starts just under $30,000, and that’s before potential incentives. The SV Plus commands a bit more, starting around $37,000. While it’s isn’t the ultimate EV in range, to us, the LEAF remains a quality option for consumers looking to branch out into EV living without pulling the plug on your bank account.

And we’ll have more Quick Spins… soon!