Nissan Leaf 0–60 Times
The Nissan Leaf 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 17 recorded performance tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend and Motor Week and more.
The fastest tested Nissan Leaf is the 2019 Nissan Leaf SV Plus Hatchback, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 6.40 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 15.10 seconds at 93.3 mph, according to Motor Trend.
The slowest tested Nissan Leaf is the 2016 Nissan Leaf SL Hatchback, which took 10.40 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 17.90 seconds at 77.0 mph, according to Car and Driver.
Out of all the Nissan Leaf tests in our database, the average 0–60 mph time is 8.10 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 16.28 seconds at 85.90 mph.
Fastest 0–60
6.40sec
2019 SV Plus Hatchback · stock
Average 0–60
8.10sec
Across 17 runs
Avg ¼ Mile
16.28sec
@ 85.9 mph trap
Slowest 0–60
10.40sec
2016 SL Hatchback
Across 17 verified runs, the Nissan Leaf ranges from 6.40 to 10.40 seconds 0–60, with a 8.10-second average.
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Nissan Leaf Performance Overview
Nissan’s Leaf has been an all-electric hatchback through its 2011 to 2026 production span, and across 17 verified tests it shows a clear two-stage performance progression. The ZE0/AZE0 first generation (2011–2017) used the 107-hp EM61 electric motor and was measured mainly in the high-9-second range to 60 mph, with the 2011 SL Hatchback setting the early benchmark at 9.4 seconds. By the end of that era, tested examples remained oriented toward steady, moderate acceleration, including a slowest recorded 0-60 run of 10.4 seconds in the 2016 SL Hatchback.
The ZE1 second generation, introduced for 2018, moved the Leaf into a quicker bracket with output rising to 147–214 hp. The 2018 SV Hatchback cut 0-60 to 7.4 seconds, then the Plus models established the model’s quickest results: the 2019 SV Plus Hatchback reached 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, while the 2019 SL Plus Hatchback ran the quarter-mile in 15.1 seconds at 93.3 mph. Today, the Leaf remains a battery-electric model only, and current ZE1 testing places its best versions at 6.4 seconds to 60 mph, with an overall average of 8.1 seconds across the recorded data.
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Nissan Leaf 0–60 Times by Generation: ZE0/AZE0 to ZE1
2 generations| Generation | Years | Avg 0–60 | Fastest 0–60 | Tests | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZE1 | 2018–present | 6.84s | 6.40s — 2019 SV Plus Hatchback | 10 | The ZE1 generation (2018–present) averaged 6.84 seconds to 60 mph across 10 tests, led by the 2019 SV Plus Hatchback at 6.40 seconds. Output ranged from 147 to 214 hp across Elec 110-kW 40-kWh, Elec 160-kW 62-kWh, Elec 75.0-kWh configurations. |
| ZE0/AZE0 | 2011–2017 | 9.90s | 9.40s — 2011 SL Hatchback | 7 | The ZE0/AZE0 generation (2011–2017) averaged 9.90 seconds to 60 mph across 7 tests, led by the 2011 SL Hatchback at 9.40 seconds. Output was 107 hp across Elec 80-kW 24-kWh, Elec 80-kW 30-kWh configurations. |
ZE1
2018–present
Avg 0–60
6.84s
Fastest
6.40s
Tests
10
2019 SV Plus Hatchback
The ZE1 generation (2018–present) averaged 6.84 seconds to 60 mph across 10 tests, led by the 2019 SV Plus Hatchback at 6.40 seconds. Output ranged from 147 to 214 hp across Elec 110-kW 40-kWh, Elec 160-kW 62-kWh, Elec 75.0-kWh configurations.
ZE0/AZE0
2011–2017
Avg 0–60
9.90s
Fastest
9.40s
Tests
7
2011 SL Hatchback
The ZE0/AZE0 generation (2011–2017) averaged 9.90 seconds to 60 mph across 7 tests, led by the 2011 SL Hatchback at 9.40 seconds. Output was 107 hp across Elec 80-kW 24-kWh, Elec 80-kW 30-kWh configurations.
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Nissan Leaf 0–60 Times by Year and Trim
17 tests · 9 years
▾
2026 Nissan Leaf
1 verified run
Avg 0–60
6.80
sec
Avg ¼ Mile
15.30
sec
Recorded Tests
1
#06
2026 Nissan Leaf Platinum+ (19" Wheels)
6.80sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
15.30s
¼ mi @ 94.1 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 6.80 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 15.30 sec
- Trap Speed
- 94.1 mph
- Engine
- Elec 75.0-kWh
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Transmission
- 1A
- Horsepower
- 214 hp
- Torque
- 250 lb-ft
- MPGe EPA
- 110 C / 96 H
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Hatchback
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Test Source
- Motor Trend
- Overall Rank
- #6 of 17
How we verify Nissan Leaf performance data
We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Nissan Leaf trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.
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Nissan Leaf 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution
0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is fasterEach dot is a recorded test run
0–60 →
¼ mile →
Fastest
Recorded run
Slowest
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Nissan Leaf performance FAQs
10 questions
The 2026 Nissan Leaf Platinum+ with 19-inch wheels reaches 60 mph in 6.8 seconds. That current test also recorded a 15.3-second quarter-mile at 94.1 mph. Output is listed at 214 hp and 250 lb-ft, with front-wheel drive and an electric powertrain.
The quickest Nissan Leaf on record is the 2019 Nissan Leaf SV Plus Hatchback, with a 0-60 time of 6.4 seconds. That makes it the fastest Leaf tested overall. Across all 17 verified Leaf runs, the average 0-60 time is 8.1 seconds.
The fastest stock Nissan Leaf is also the 2019 SV Plus Hatchback, which ran 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds. Since all 17 recorded Leaf tests are production vehicles, there is no gap between the fastest overall Leaf and the fastest stock Leaf.
The fastest quarter-mile time recorded for a Nissan Leaf is 15.1 seconds at 93.3 mph, set by the 2019 SL Plus Hatchback. Across all 17 Leaf tests, the average quarter-mile is 16.28 seconds at 85.9 mph, which gives a solid picture of real-world straight-line performance.
The ZE1 Nissan Leaf, covering the second generation from 2018 onward, averages 6.84 seconds from 0-60 mph across 10 tests. The quickest ZE1 on record is the 2019 SV Plus Hatchback at 6.4 seconds. Power ranges from 147 to 214 hp across this generation.
The first-generation ZE0/AZE0 Nissan Leaf, sold from 2011 to 2017, averages 9.9 seconds from 0-60 mph across 7 tests. Its quickest recorded run is 9.4 seconds, set by the 2011 SL Hatchback. First-generation output is listed at 107 hp throughout the tested range.
The fastest second-generation Nissan Leaf is the ZE1-based 2019 SV Plus Hatchback, which reaches 60 mph in 6.4 seconds. That is the quickest time recorded for any ZE1 Leaf. As a generation, second-generation cars average 6.84 seconds across 10 verified tests.
The SV Plus has the edge on best recorded acceleration. The quickest SV Plus Hatchback run is 6.4 seconds to 60 mph, while the best SL Plus Hatchback run is 6.5 seconds. Average results are also very close, with SV Plus at 6.63 seconds and SL Plus at 6.7 seconds.
The Nissan Leaf SL Plus Hatchback has a best recorded 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds. Across four tests, the SL Plus averages 6.7 seconds to 60 mph. It also holds the model’s quickest quarter-mile result, running 15.1 seconds at 93.3 mph in the best pass on record.
The Nissan Leaf SL Hatchback shows a best recorded 0-60 time of 7.5 seconds, with an average of 9.6 seconds across eight tests. That wide spread reflects both early and later SL examples, including the slowest Leaf on record: a 2016 SL Hatchback at 10.4 seconds.
Sources
Car and Driver
Motor Trend
Motor Week
Road & Track
0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what a Nissan Leaf can do, not a single marketing claim.
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Other Nissan 0–60 times
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