The oversized SUV dominates the parking lot like it’s the headliner of a suburban music festival, but it has the real artistry with two compact eco-car legends, the Nissan Leaf and the Toyota Prius. Both are smoother, smarter and much more fun than my early 2000s self.
Think of them as queer kickball teammates: Yo is a secretly cheerful quiet nerd, and the Prius is a glamour social butterfly that somehow knows everyone.
Nissan Leaf
$30,000
Range: 149-215 miles
0-60 mph: 7.4 seconds
Cargo space: 23.6 Cu. ft.
Strong Points: cute. It’s easy to operate. The interior is spacious.
Cons: Limited range, charging options, Kabby.
In a nutshell: With abandoned bugs, the latest Nissan Leaf flaunts its trendy style. This electric car can be dressed up in colours like deep blue pearls and scarlet embars to make it gorgeous enough for a Pride Parade. Inside, the design is practical, but not awful. The environmentally friendly fabric, logical layout of gauges, and a well-ventilated interior.
The standard Leaf S comes with a 147 horsepower electric motor and a 149 mile range, while the Leaf SV Plus comes with a 214 horsepower motor and a 215 mile range. Both rides are powerful enough for daily commutes or short weekend getaways. But you can “recharge” the battery pack to 80% in about 40 minutes, but the time to grab the latte and spill some gossip, but the dated port mechanism requires the adapter used by many charging stations today.
Still, this EV is agile and ready to play in a small space. Another plus: the regenerative braking has a carefree one-pedal driving that feels like you’re teleporting gently to your destination.
The new EVS offers more range, power and capabilities, but it is the Leaf’s low MSRP that is such a draw. This means that the list of amenities for the base model is solid, but not overflowing. Steel wheels with plastic cover, automatic headlights, remote entry and smartphone integration.
Step up to the Leaf SV Plus for bigger wheels, power driver seats, NAV system and better stereo. The app also lets you remotely cool or heat your cabin, as well as checking battery charging times, ranges, and even nearby stations.
For me, the leaves are low drama, highly reliable EVs. It’s not as flashy as some newcomers, but you can still hit all the marks.
Toyota Prius
$30,000
MPG: 57City/56 Highway
0-60 mph: 7.1 seconds
Cargo space: 23.8 Cu. ft.
Strong Points: Stellar’s fuel economy. It’s faster and sexy now.
Cons: Reduced rear headroom. Sometimes it’s noisy.
In a nutshell: Remember when the Toyota Prius was the car joke butt? It was over at the time. The latest version is a complete growth story of a new look, new attitudes and the same environmentally friendly mind. If the old Prius is wise sandals, then this is the designer sneakers (or even Prada heels) that support your arch.
The exterior colors are extremely outrageous, including cold wind, red ultrasonic, and cutting edge. It is a metallic silver with a sparkling finish that changes depending on the lighting. Yeah, Sparkling!
Under the hood, the hybrid system combines a 2.0-liter engine and two electric motors with a total of 194 horsepower (or 220 horsepower with an all-wheel drive Prius Prime plugin. This Prius is faster than its previous models and still offers incredible fuel economy. Ah, the brakes are even better than ever.
The steering is more responsive, the ride is composed and the lower stance means that this hybrid corner is actually more confident. Sports cars won’t be confused, but they may just come a long way.
Inside, the cabin is modern and minimalist with an emphasis on clean lines and quality finishes. The digital gauge display is front and center (ultimately!), and the infotainment system is quick and easy to use. A complete suite of smartphone integration and driver assist features is standard. There is ample room for four adults to ride comfortably. The hatchback layout means you can swallow IKEA flatpacks without complaints.
The Prius went from the quirky wallflower to the confident hero. It’s efficient, practical, and unexpectedly appealing. It was like Cinderella and I finally realized that she was all the more gorgeous.
Eco-friendly Oldies But Goods: Prius, Leaf first appeared in Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights and Gay News.
Source: Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News – www.washingtonblade.com
