Thanks to discounts, the 2025 Nissan Leaf is now the most economical choice among all models offered by the company, regardless of the type of engine, as mentioned in a report by CarsDirect. It is now priced lower than the fuel-powered Versa compact car.
The starting price for the basic 2025 Nissan Leaf S is set at $29,280 including transportation costs. Until September 3, customers can benefit from a $7,500 discount in NMAC Special APR cash, which functions as a rebate for those who opt for financing at promotional rates, according to information provided by CarsDirect. On top of that, there is an additional $1,000 cash bonus available for the electric hatchback.
2024 Nissan Versa
These discounts tally up to $8,500 in savings, effectively lowering the price of a Leaf S to $20,780. Although this is slightly higher than the $19,490 manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of the basic 2024 Nissan Versa S (pricing for the 2025 model year has not been released yet) equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), Nissan also offers a more affordable Versa S with a manual transmission. However, current financing promotions still make the Leaf the more cost-effective option.
According to CarsDirect, Nissan currently offers a 3.19% annual percentage rate (APR) for a five-year loan on the Leaf, and an 8.37% APR for the Versa. Based on the same loan term, CarsDirect estimates that a Versa would amount to $23,819 at $399 per month, whereas a Leaf would total $22,509 at $375 per month.
2025 Nissan Leaf
The $7,500 discount that accompanies this financing offer compensates for the fact that the Leaf will not be eligible for the federal EV tax credit in the 2025 model year. This tax credit, which was $3,750 for the 2024 Leaf, is solely accessible to qualifying households, hence making the financing offer more widely applicable.
However, this offer does have some limitations. The Leaf S provides an EPA range of 149 miles only (there is an upgraded SV Plus model available with a range of 212 miles). The standard Leaf with the smaller battery has not seen significant updates for several years, and it is the sole EV still employing the CHAdeMO fast-charging standard. Nonetheless, for those looking to save money, this showcases a scenario where an electric vehicle is more economical than a comparable gas-powered car.
