5. Favorite Features

     I'm delighted with all aspects of my LEAF, but here are a few features that stand out:


• IT'S QUIET.  
     No, I mean really, REALLY quiet.  I've read that the cabin noise level is lower than the top-of-the-line Infiniti, and I believe it.  The 600# of batteries under the floor deaden road noise from below, and there's no engine noise at any speed.  At 30mph you hear essentially nothing from the car, and even at 70mph you can barely hear the tires rolling on the highway and the sound of wind blowing past the windows.


• GREAT HANDLING.  
     With those 600# of batteries within the wheelbase the car corners as flat as a sports car.  Suspension is firm but luxury-car smooth.  Steering effort is light yet sensitive and refined, thus making driving effortless at all speeds. 


• GREAT AIR CONDITIONING.  
     I've mentioned this before - the LEAF's AC can literally freeze you out of the car on a 100 degree day if you override the automatic temperature controls and really crank it up.  Seriously... it doesn't take long before you want to switch it back to "Auto" to avoid becoming chilled.  
     I've never driven a car that could cool the cabin this fast or this cold while sitting still on a hot day.  I think this is largely due to the electric AC compressor that's running at 100% the minute you switch it on.  There's no fan belt; so AC performance is not dependent on higher engine rpm.  There's not the usual wait for cool air to arrive while you're driving out of the parking lot or waiting in rush-hour traffic.  
     When this AC is on, it's really ON!  When traffic comes to a dead stop on the freeway and every other car is idling, wasting gas, spewing CO2, and warming up inside, the LEAF AC quietly hums along full blast, sipping just the little juice it needs from the battery while the "Traction Motor" (which propels the car) is using zero energy.


• GREAT ELECTRONICS.  
     All instrument displays are flat panel, bright, clear, and easily understood.  When you start up there's just a basic display, but you can also use the buttons and touch-screen to drill down into the details of navigation and car performance (which tech buffs love to do).  


     To repeat myself:  This car is FUN!