Which Nissan Leaf Trims Provide the Best Value?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Nissan Leaf just became the cheapest electric car on the market. The electric vehicle is over a decade old and has constantly been improving. The Nissan Leaf is affordable and reliable, but which trim provides the best value for consumers?

The best Nissan Leaf trim

The Nissan Leaf | Nissan

The Nissan Leaf has earned a place among the best new electric cars on the market. It has proved itself to be a great used EV as well. Which Nissan Leaf trim is right for you?

The Nissan Leaf S Plus starts at $32,400. After federal and local tax incentives, this price could be discounted to $25,400. This price is amazing for a new electric car. The Leaf S Plus makes 214 horsepower compared to the 147 horsepower of the base model.

The Nissan Leaf S Plus model gets 226 miles of range on a single charge. The base model only gets 149 miles on a single charge. The Nissan Leaf S Plus is the best Nissan Leaf trim because it provides better range and horsepower than all other trims. It still doesn’t compete with more popular new EVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, but it is much cheaper to purchase in comparison.

The second-best Leaf trim

A white Nissan Leaf.
The Nissan Leaf | Nissan

The second-best Nissan Leaf trim is the Leaf SL Plus at $37,400. After federal and local tax incentives, the SL Plus could cost under $30,400. The SL Plus makes 214 horsepower. It can go 215 miles on a single charge. It has slightly less range than the S Plus but comes with a Bose Energy Efficient Audio System and leather-appointed seats. It also includes exterior mirrors with LED turn signal indicators.

The Nissan Leaf SL Plus trim is the next best option for consumers because it brings comfort and style to the otherwise bland Nissan Leaf. The Leaf’s interior has been noted as drab by consumers and reviews alike. The Bose Energy Efficient Audio system and leather-appointed seats provide some much-needed character and personality to the Nissan Leaf. Despite being the Leaf’s highest trim model, the SL Plus is still less expensive than the average new compact car, even without tax incentives.

The Nissan Leaf is a reliable vehicle, so when choosing trims, you might as well chose the coziest. The Leaf S Plus provides slightly better range, but if you are committing to the Leaf’s low battery range, then frequent trips to a charger should be expected.

Is the Nissan Leaf the right EV for you?

The Nissan Leaf | Stanislav Kogiku/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

The Nissan Leaf is perfect for those who are curious about electric vehicles. It is a great entry-level EV because, according to Electrek, it is the most affordable electric car on the market. Unfortunately, the Leaf is far from the most exciting EV on the market today.

The Tesla Model 3, Model Y, and Ford Mustang Mach-E are more exciting EVs than the Nissan leaf because of battery range and horsepower. The Leaf, however, is a part of EV history and the perfect car for those who want a compact EV that can travel short distances. The base model Nissan Leaf may not be the right choice for you, but the Nissan Leaf S Plus and SL Plus are worth looking into.

RELATED: Is the Nissan Leaf Plus Worth Its Big Price Tag?

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The Saab 9-3 Sport Combi Turbo X Is a Sport Wagon You Never Knew You Needed

by Gabrielle DeSantis

While SUVs and crossovers reign supreme in the automotive market, the interest in sport wagons is waning. But what’s not to like about sport wagons? They’re usually practical, with plenty of room for five and all of their stuff. And to top things off, a sport wagon typically has a high output engine under the hood, which is where the “sport” part of the designation comes from.

But which cars come to mind when you think of a sport wagon? Perhaps a Mercedes-Benz E 63 wagon, or maybe even an Audi RS6. How about a Saab 9-3 Sport Combi? Of course, you might be wondering what that is, so let’s take a closer look.

The 2008 Saab 9-3 Sport Combi had plenty of power

2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X | Wikimedia Commons

If you don’t remember the Saab brand name, we don’t blame you. In short, Saab was a Swedish automaker under the General Motors umbrella for a number of years before it went belly up in 2014. It’s a shame because it built sporty and practical cars like the aforementioned Saab 9-3 Sport Combi Turbo X.

What is so special about that car? The Saab 9-3 Sport Combi Turbo X is a turbocharged, all-wheel drive sport wagon that was based on the brand’s most popular model, the Saab 9-3 sedan. But instead of receiving the sedan’s turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, the 9-3 Turbo was outfitted with a turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 that produced 280 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. According to Motor Trend’s testing at the time, the 9-3 Turbo X was able to go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and down the quarter-mile in 14.4 seconds. That’s pretty quick for a practical wagon.

The Saab 9-3 Turbo was also agile

Performance numbers aside, the Saab 9-3 Turbo X also shined when thrown around a corner. In fact, Motorweek found the 9-3 Turbo X to be “shockingly agile,” thanks to its all-wheel drivetrain that can send power front to back and side to side. In fact, it can send up to 85% of the power to one single wheel to get traction. The Motorweek editors found that there is a bit of understeer when cornering hard, however, it’s a point-and-shoot affair for the most part.

Other notable features include ample space for up to five adults, a driver-centric dashboard layout, and a center console-mounted ignition system. That’s right, you have to turn the key in the center console like you would in jet. In case, you didn’t know Saab made (and continues to make) jets before it made cars.

Finding a Saab 9-3 Turbo X can be tough

2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X
2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X | Wikimedia Commons

If you’re in the market for something practical and sporty, then the 2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X is a great choice. The only trouble is that the Saab 9-3 Turbo X models are pretty tough to find on the used market. That’s because Saab only produced 600 units in total, so your chances of finding one for sale 13 years later is slim to none. In fact, we only found one that’s currently for sale in our nationwide search. And that one was listed for $20,000 and had over 100,000 miles on it.

But alas, if you really want one, don’t give up hope. The Saab 9-3 Sport Combi Turbo X is a rare car to find, but considering it’s turbocharged, all-wheel drive wagon that’s as comfortable on a race track as it is on the freeway, we won’t blame you for holding out.

RELATED: Saab 9-2X Aero: A More Refined Subaru WRX

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Why the Tesla Cybertruck Will Squash the Ford F-150 Lightning

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Tesla once accounted for the majority of the electric vehicle total market share. Today, the market is very different as several automakers have competitive electric powertrain options, including Nissan, Chevrolet, and Ford. Tesla is much newer than other automakers. It doesn’t have decades of experience and history on its side. What it does have, is novelty and shock value. Ford made a major move toward the electric future of its company by introducing the Ford F-150 Lighting electric pickup truck. Tesla’s Cybertruck can and will easily outshine Ford’s new electric truck.

Why Tesla will win the electric truck war

Tesla Cybertruck | Tesla

Tesla is relatively new to the pickup truck game. Ford, on the other hand, is almost synonymous with powerful work trucks. Ford sold millions of pickup trucks throughout the years, but electric vehicles are essentially an entirely new vehicle class. Ford must balance managing the expectations of gas-powered Ford truck loyalists and the expectations of consumers that are excited about the electric future.

The Palo Alto, California-based electric vehicle and clean energy company has existed for under two decades. It does not have the same rich history and brand loyalty that an automaker like the blue oval brand possesses but the brand rarely fails to impress. Tesla is a unicorn in the automotive industry, and its first electric truck didn’t have to live up to expectations other than being innovative.

The Tesla Cybertruck was built to reflect the direction that the automotive industry is moving toward rather than where it currently stands. Tesla lives in the future almost more than it lives in the present, often to its detriment. The company has been known to oversell certain features and modes, but when they deliver on even a fraction of their promises their vehicles become unique and provide driving experiences exclusive to the automaker.

Tesla will win the electric truck war because while Ford is playing catch-up, Tesla has already shown consumers a vehicle that is completely different from the norm. In this age of rapidly evolving technology, “new” often wins out, even if it isn’t necessarily better.

How does the Tesla Cybertruck compare to the Ford F-150 Lightning?

A blue 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning front 3/4 with open frunk at the 2021 Chicago Auto Show
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning front 3/4 with open frunk | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit

The Tesla Cybertruck starts at $39,900. The Cybertruck is able to travel for over 250+ miles on a single charge. It can go from 0-60 miles per hour in just 6.5 seconds. Its range and speed are impressive, and its price aligns closely with the price of an average new vehicle.

The Ford F-150 Lightning starts at $39,974. The standard range battery pack provides approximately 230+ miles of range on a single charge. It is estimated to go 0-60 miles per hour in 4.4 seconds using the 300+ mile battery pack.

As far as practicality, the Tesla Cybertruck beats out the Ford F-150 Lightning by 50+ more miles of range. The Cybertruck is also extremely quick. Ultimately the biggest difference between the two electric trucks happens at the highest trim level.

Which truck is more powerful?

The Tesla Cybertruck.
The Tesla Cybertruck | Tesla

The Ford F-150 Lightning’s final trim level, the Platinum trim, uses the Extended Range battery pack to travel 300+ miles on a single charge. It starts at around $70,000. The Tesla Cybertruck’s Tri Motor All-Wheel Drive model has an estimated range of 500+ miles on a single charge. It can go from 0-60 miles per hour in 2.9 seconds. This model starts at $69,900.

The Cybertruck’s final trim level demolishes the Ford F-150 Lightning in both range and speed. Its cold-rolled stainless-steel exoskeleton is extremely durable and unique. The Cybertruck also includes several features and modes that are exclusive to Tesla vehicles.

The Cybertruck is the more powerful truck. Its exterior and features are more unique than the F-150 Lightning despite Ford’s best efforts. According to InsideEVs, the Cybertruck recently passed over 1.25 million pre-orders while the Ford F-150 Lighting received under 200,000 pre-orders thus far. The F-150 Lightning still has time to rack up pre-orders, but thanks to chip shortages, many consumers aren’t taking chances.

The Ford F-150 Lightning is an interesting experiment and looks like a hit for Ford. Tesla, however, has wowed consumers with futuristic designs and features that make Tesla ownership more enticing. The Cybertruck will squash the F-150 Lightning because it will always appear to be the newer, more fun truck due to its unique design and capabilities.

RELATED: The Tesla Cybertruck Outperforms the Ram 1500 TRX

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There’s No Reason Not to Put an Air Purifier in Your Car

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Whether we realize it or not, we spend a lot of time in our vehicles. While we typically rely on our cabin air filter to keep our car’s air clean, there is still a lot of allergens floating around. We invest in air purifiers and systems for our homes, offices, and bedrooms, but we don’t always realize that you can use an air purifier in your vehicle, and, in fact, there is a market of these systems that you can buy for a range of prices that are designed to work in your car, and for all of the benefits of adding this health safety system into your vehicle, there really isn’t a reason not to.

Benefits of adding an air purifier to your car

Close-up of Medify Air MA-CAR HEPA air purifier behind seat in a vehicle | Smith Collection, Gado, Getty Images

Adding an air purifier to your car doesn’t require any major modifications, and it can be done in just a few minutes, and they are typically very low maintenance. One of the biggest benefits of having an air purifier is the reduction of allergens like pollen and dandruff, leaving the air you breathe cleaner, which can be a big benefit in the spring when pollen causes the most allergy woes, and in major cities that suffer from smog pollution. Purifiers can also help reduce smells and odors in your car, including the smell of food from when you have to make a quick lunch break stop at your local fast food joint or other musty smells.

Two types of air purifiers to consider

There are two types of air purifiers designed for cars, and they each work a little bit differently: HEPA and ionic air purifiers. HEPA purifiers work by filtering the air through its system before releasing the air back into the cabin, requiring the quick maintenance of cleaning or changing out the air filter. Ionic purifiers, however, don’t work as a filtration system that brings air in and pushes it out, but rather emits electrically charged ions that weigh down the pollutants in the air, causing them to fall, which can lead to some dust build up in your vehicle.

Considerations to keep in mind

If you’re interested in looking into getting an air purifier for your vehicle, there are a few things to keep in mind. Some states, such as the state of California, have banned the use of in-vehicle air purifiers, so it is important to check state and local laws before purchasing. It’s also worthwhile to read reviews and ratings on any purifier system that you are interested in buying, especially because they can range in price from more modest to expensive. You will also want to pay attention to the power shut-off to the purifier, such as if it automatically turns off with your vehicle, or if it turns off after a certain amount of time, so you don’t have to worry about another electrical device that could potentially drain your battery.

Adding an air purifier to your car is a simple and inexpensive way to improve cabin air quality, reduce allergens, and help you breathe cleaner, healthier air. Unless you live in an area where air purifiers are prohibited, there is no reason that this shouldn’t be your next gadget purchase for your vehicle.

RELATED: You Need To Change Your Cabin Air Filter

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