2016 NISSAN LEAF

2016 Nissan LEAF API

The 2016 Nissan LEAF is the Automotive Science Group’s (ASG) 2016 BEST ALL-AROUND PERFORMANCE CAR OF 2016, and is distinguished as the ASG #1 selection for model year 2016. ASG assessed 1,382 model year 2016 vehicles in the North American market in areas of environmental, social and economic performance, the three fundamentals of ASGʼs data-driven automotive life-cycle assessment platform – the Automotive Performance Index (API) - and the LEAF is ASG’s top selection for the third consecutive year.

ASG’s 2016 study also found the Nissan LEAF to hold the smallest life-cycle carbon footprint of any model year 2016 automobile available in the North American market, again earning the 2016 BEST ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE Award. Consumers can be confident that the increased environmental impacts of manufacturing the battery electric technology is more than offset with increased environmental performance during operational life. While the electricity mix of the U.S. grid varies by region, the average mix in 2016 provides an energy source for the LEAF that is environmentally beneficial. Looking forward, energy forecasts identify a cleaner electricity mix across the U.S. grid, further increasing the environmental benefits of electric technologies in future years.

The API applies statistical methods to demonstrate each vehicle rating in relative comparison. The vehicle that performs highest in any performance area, in a given class, obtains a rating score of 100 in that specific performance area (Economic, Social, Environmental and All-Around Performance). Each vehicle is then compared relative to the top-performing vehicle in its class, with a rating score reflecting the statistical difference in performance outcomes. For example, a rating of 95 translates to a 5% performance deficit as compared to the top-performing vehicle in class.



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RELATIVE RATING METHOD

The Automotive Performance Index (API) applies statistical methods to demonstrate each vehicle rating in relative comparison. For example, the vehicle that performs highest in environment performance in a given class obtains a rating score of 100. Each vehicle in its class is then compared relative to the top-performing vehicle with a rating score reflecting the statistical difference in performance outcomes. A score of 91 translates to a 9% environmental performance deficit as compared to the top-performing vehicle.  

Due to the API’s relative vehicle rating method, vehicle class divisions were identified as a critical input - these class divisions are detailed here.

While the Automotive Performance Index is indeed an exhaustive list of vehicles to trim level detail, with each vehicle assessment reporting over 200 unique data outputs (the culmination of thousands of data inputs), ASG has taken additional measures to ease the burden of sorting through all data points and all vehicle assessments. We have developed key performance categories and sorted all vehicles in each class according to Environmental Performance, Social Performance, Economic Performance and All-Around Performance. The vehicle in each class with the best score in each unique category is named the performance award winner (i.e. Best Environmental Performance Award winner). The vehicle in each class that scores highest combined scores in Environmental Performance, Social Performance and Economic Performance is named the ASG Best All-Around Performance Award winner.

One step further, we also name the Best 5 All-Around Performance Award winners in each class to provide consumers with a concise product comparison guide.