(Posted on Jul 12, 2018 at 01:54PM by Michelle Bogle)
Perhaps you’ve switched to a plant-based diet or have stopped using plastic in an effort to lessen your carbon footprint, but are still driving a gas-guzzling SUV and would like to get into something more eco-friendly? If so, allow us to introduce you to the 2013 Nissan Leaf SL. This plug-in performer relies solely on electricity to get you from A to B, while creating zero harmful emissions for our environment.
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Under the hood, you won’t find a typical engine in the 2013 Leaf; rather, it boasts a 24kWh lithium-ion battery pack and an 80kW motor, delivering 107 horsepower and 187 lb-ft of torque. But the differences stop there – as soon as you throw the car into drive, you’ll notice that it handles just like any other gas-powered vehicle, except (of course) for its whisper-quiet operation. Even with plug-in power, you’ll still be able to enjoy quick acceleration. In Edmunds performance testing, the 2013 Leaf went from zero to 60 mph in just 10.2 seconds.
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When it comes time to juice up the battery, charging is managed by a 6.6-kilowatt onboard charger, which can refresh a fully depleted battery pack in roughly four hours. Range on the SL trim is estimated at 75 miles.
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Inside, the Leaf offers many of the same comfort and convenience features of its gas-counterparts. In the SL trim, leather upholstery and a rearview camera are included, as well as Bluetooth connectivity and an intelligent access key fob. The exterior looks sleek and stylish with its 17-inch alloy wheels and roof spoiler over the tailgate, which features a solar panel to help charge small devices in the car.
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To learn more about owning a preowned Leaf, contact our team at Kirkland Nissan in Seattle, Washington, for a test drive.