Model Year | 2011 | 2011 | 2009 | 2009 |
Model | LEAF | LEAF | Boxster | Boxster |
Trim | SV | SL | Base | S |
Engines | ||||
Transmissions | ||||
Drivetrains | ||||
Tires | ||||
Audio Systems | ||||
Accessories | ||||
Captures solar energy to recharge battery. | ||||
Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available. | ||||
Enter and start the vehicle without removing the key from your pocket. | ||||
Check on car and remotely control various functions (remote start, locks, lights, and/or HVAC) from a telephone or computer. Can require a monthly fee. | ||||
Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob. | ||||
Homelink. | ||||
Removable or foldable barrier extends upward behind the front seatbacks, preventing cold air from entering the front seat area. | ||||
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety | ||||
Rear disc brakes. | ||||
If active, automatically move forward when the vehicle is rear-ended. Note: becoming less common. | ||||
Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars. | ||||
Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time. | ||||
When a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes. | ||||
Ceramic composite brake rotors. | ||||
Mandatory, in all cars. | ||||
Torso-level front row airbags, usually contained in the seats. Many also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags. | ||||
Beeps signal distance to object behind vehicle. Parking aid. | ||||
Rearview camera connected to display screen on the instrument panel. Often requires navigation system. | ||||
Airbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row. | ||||
Selectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning). | ||||
Two types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire. | ||||
When a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction. | ||||
Cargo Management | ||||
Climate Control | ||||
Maintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | ||||
Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features. | ||||
Wipers automatically turn on and adjust their speed based on input from a rain sensor. | ||||
Time between wipes can be precisely adjusted. | ||||
Makes rain bead up and roll off the windows. | ||||
Drivetrain | ||||
When one rear wheel spins, the differential locks up, sending power to the wheel with better traction. | ||||
Engine / Motor | ||||
Allows for quick charging to 80 percent capacity at 440V charging stations. Using such chargers frequently might degrade the battery. | ||||
Valves open in the exhaust at high rpm and/or during brisk acceleration, for power boost and/or richer sound. Valves can also be opened with a switch. | ||||
The engine is located behind the driver but ahead of the rear axle. | ||||
Changes sound of exhaust and/or appearance of the tips. In some cases might slightly improve performance. | ||||
Exterior | ||||
Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust. | ||||
Can be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler. | ||||
Spoiler extends automatically at high speeds. Otherwise flush with body. Can be manually extended and retracted. | ||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||
Underbody shields to improve fuel economy. (Optional, no standard value because might or might not be present on other models.) | ||||
Gas Guzzler Tax | ||||
Infotainment | ||||
Jack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car. | ||||
Uses Bluetooth rather than a cable to integrate audio device. Requires compatible audio device and/or phone. | ||||
Enables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers. | ||||
Includes CD player. | ||||
Audio system capable of playing DVD-Audio discs. | ||||
Integrates an iPod with the vehicle's controls and speakers. Usually included if there is a USB port, but can also rely on a proprietary port. | ||||
Built-in drive with at least 10 GB of storage for MP3 and other audio files. | ||||
Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files. | ||||
Screen-based navigation system. | ||||
Enables navigation even without roads. Requires and does not include the value of a navigation system. | ||||
XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply. | ||||
Often permits an iPod or phone to be integrated into the vehicle's entertainment system and controls. | ||||
Sometimes also includes voice control over climate control system. | ||||
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors | ||||
Driver-side exterior mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||
Passenger-side rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||
Interior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||
Headlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights. | ||||
Stopwatch, lap timer. Usually includes an analog clock. | ||||
Driving style displayed and/or evaluated with a grade, with changes in display graphics, or with a graph of performance over time. | ||||
Make it easier for following vehicles to see the vehicle in fog. | ||||
Light wide area close in front of the vehicle. | ||||
Clears ice and fog from mirrors. | ||||
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | ||||
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | ||||
LEDs cast a soft glow over and/or highlight parts of the interior. | ||||
LED headlights last longer and use less energy than other types. | ||||
Front row reading lights. | ||||
Area around the vehicle is illuminated when the vehicle is remotely unlocked. | ||||
Includes value of manual remote mirrors. | ||||
Headlights swivel when steering wheel is turned. | ||||
Reports engine speed. | ||||
Reports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats. | ||||
Provide a brighter, whiter light than halogen headlights. | ||||
Seats and Interior Trim | ||||
Won't be listed in conjunction with wood or aluminum trim even if they are available together. | ||||
Seat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat. | ||||
Seating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette. | ||||
Leather beyond the seating surfaces, door panels, and IP top. No additional value over leather upholstery because no way to standardize across all models. | ||||
Lower back support power-adjustable vertically as well as in and out. | ||||
Power adjustable bolsters on the seatback, to provide lateral support in hard turns. | ||||
Power adjustable bolsters on the seatback, to provide lateral support in hard turns. | ||||
Power adjustable bolsters on the seat cushion, to prevent sliding out of the seat in hard turns. | ||||
Power adjustable bolsters on the seat cushion, to prevent sliding out of the seat in hard turns. | ||||
Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||
Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||
Synthetic suede steering wheel rim. | ||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||
No additional value over leather upholstery because no way to standardize across all models. | ||||
Real wood trim on instrument panel, door panels, and/or center console. | ||||
Real wood comprises part of the steering wheel rim. | ||||
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires | ||||
Shocks that electrically adjust their firmness based on sensor readings of the road surface. The driver might also be able to select a \"sport\" setting. | ||||
Varies throttle, steering, ABS, and/or stability control calibration. | ||||
Outer surface of alloy wheels machines to yield a bright finish. Replace and include value of reqular alloy wheels. | ||||
Transmission | ||||
Electronically controls engine and transmission for perfect launch. | ||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||
Paddles or buttons that can be used to manually shift the transmission. Only listed when optional or not always included with an automatic transmission. |
What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2011 Nissan LEAF
1-speed automatic FWD
1-speed automatic FWD
1-speed automatic FWD
1-speed automatic FWD
What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2009 Porsche Boxster
6-speed manual RWD