The Nissan Leaf was introduced into Nissan’s lineup as a compact electric vehicle in 2010 and remains available through today. The Leaf is known for its unique styling and for having the features consumers expect from modern vehicles, including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a Nissan Leaf?
The Nissan Leaf is not recommended for towing in the United States. The Nissan Leaf has a braked towing capacity of up to 2,000 pounds and an unbraked towing capacity of 1,500 pounds.
There’s a bit more to know about Nissan Leaf towing capabilities which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
2024 Nissan Leaf Towing Capacity
The 2024 Nissan Leaf can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels and configurations.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2024 Nissan Leaf can tow.
Note: Nissan does not recommend using the 2024 Leaf for towing.
| 2024 Nissan Leaf Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| Leaf S | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg |
| Leaf SV PLus | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg |
You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.
Here’s a video showing the Nissan Leaf towing 1-ton worth of hay bales on a 500 pound trailer:
Nissan Leaf Braked Vs. Unbraked Towing Capacity
All vehicles have different towing capacities based on whether or not you’re towing a trailer that has trailer brakes installed.
Trailer brakes allow the trailer to stop faster than if only the vehicle is using its brakes, allowing the vehicle to tow more weight, so braked towing capacity will always be higher than unbraked towing capacity.
Nissan Leaf Braked Tow Capacity: 2,000 lbs.
Nissan Leaf Unbraked Tow Capacity: 1,500 lbs.
Nissan Leaf Towing Capacity Factors
There’s only one factor that affects the Nissan Leaf tow capacity, which is the weight of cargo and passengers you’ve got in the Leaf when towing something.
Number of Passengers
A big factor in calculating your vehicle’s towing capacity is how many passengers you’re carrying, which directly calculates into the vehicle’s GCWR.
This is true of all vehicles, not just the Nissan Leaf, so always take into consideration the total load of your passengers and gear in addition to what you’re towing.
Nissan Leaf Tow Package Info
Does The Nissan Leaf Have A Tow Package?
Nissan does not offer a towing package for the Leaf, so you’ll need to have one installed.
Can You Install A Trailer Hitch On a Nissan Leaf?
If you plan on towing anything with your Nissan Leaf, you’ll need a tow hitch and wiring harness.
Depending on what you’re towing, you’re going to need a ball mount (aka a trailer ball hitch) so you can attach items for towing.
Make sure to get the right trailer ball size that matches your hitch and trailer.
Nissan Leaf Tow Hitch
Trailer hitches come in different hitch classes, which are rated for different vehicle sizes and weight limits.
The Nissan Leaf uses a Class 1 or Class 2 hitch.
Here’s a great option for a Class III Nissan Leaf trailer hitch:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. With a strong, welded steel build, this class 1 hitch is rated for 1,500 lbs. gross trailer weight and 150 lbs. tongue weight (limited to lowest-rated towing component)
- HIGHLY VERSATILE. Add useful, versatile towing options to your vehicle with this class 1 trailer hitch. It provides a standard 1-1/4-inch x 1-1/4-inch receiver hitch, allowing you to tow a small trailer or mount a cargo carrier or bike rack
- DUAL-COAT FINISH. For industry-leading rust, chip and UV resistance inside and out, this aftermarket tow hitch kit is submersed in a liquid A-coat and co-cured with a durable black powder coat finish
- EASY INSTALLATION. This class 1 hitch is designed to factory fit select model years of the Nissan Leaf
- TESTED FOR SAFETY. Each CURT class 1 trailer hitch design is thoroughly tested, using real vehicles in real-world conditions. Our hitches are tested to SAE J684 specifications for safety on the road ahead
Here’s a great ball mount option so you can hook up different types of trailers for towing with your Leaf:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. Rated to tow 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 350 pounds tongue weight, this ball hitch offers dependability for your towing setup (weight capacity may change if trailer ball is removed)
- VERSATILE USE. This trailer hitch ball mount comes with a 1-1/4-inch shank to fit virtually any industry-standard 1-1/4-inch receiver. The ball mount has a 3-1/4-inch drop, 2-inch diameter ball, 1/2-inch hitch pin hole and 7-1/4-inch overall length
- READY TO TOW. Hitching up your trailer is easy with this ready-to-use trailer hitch ball mount. It comes with a pre-attached tow ball for ready coupling and a trailer hitch pin to securely mount onto your hitch receiver
- CORROSION-RESISTANT. For long-lasting use, this ball hitch is protected with a durable black powder coat finish, and the trailer ball has a polished chrome plating. These finishes resist damage from rain, dirt, road salt and other corrosive threats
- EASY TO INSTALL. To install the trailer hitch ball mount on your vehicle, simply insert the shank into your vehicle's 1-1/4-inch hitch receiver. The rounded shank makes installation easy
Nissan Leaf Trailer Hitch Installation
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Here’s a great video walkthrough on a Nissan Leaf trailer hitch installation:
Nissan Leaf Trailer Hitch Installation Cost
If you’re considering having a tow hitch added to your Leaf, expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed (excluding the cost of the tow hitch and wiring harness).
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Hitch Receiver Vs Rear Step Bumper Towing
Some vehicles allow for bumper towing, which means you can mount a tow hitch ball directly on the bumper instead of installing a tow hitch to the vehicle’s frame.
Can I Bumper Tow With a Nissan Leaf?
The Nissan Leaf stock bumper is not rated for bumper towing, so you’ll need to install a frame-mounted hitch like the one we listed earlier in this guide or an aftermarket bumper with a hitch ball on it.
Does My Nissan Leaf Have A Tow Package?
You can start by looking under the rear bumper of your Leaf to see if you notice a trailer hitch or trailer ball.
That will give you a good indication of if you have a tow hitch already installed on your Leaf.
Another way to research this is by checking the paperwork that came with your vehicle or taking it to a local dealer to see what’s installed.
Make sure to have your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) handy if you call the dealer so they can look up the exact specs and whether or not your Leaf has any towing packages or features installed on it.
2023 Nissan Leaf Towing Capacity
The 2023 Nissan Leaf can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels and configurations.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2022 Nissan Leaf can tow.
| Nissan Leaf Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg |
Note: Nissan does not recommend using the 2023 Leaf for towing.
2022 Nissan Leaf Towing Capacity
The 2022 Nissan Leaf can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels and configurations.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2022 Nissan Leaf can tow.
Note: Nissan does not recommend using the 2022 Leaf for towing.
| Nissan Leaf Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg |
2021 Nissan Leaf Towing Capacity
The 2021 Nissan Leaf can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels and configurations.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2021 Nissan Leaf can tow.
Note: Nissan does not recommend using the 2021 Leaf for towing.
| Nissan Leaf Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg |
2020 Nissan Leaf Towing Capacity
The 2020 Nissan Leaf can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels and configurations.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2020 Nissan Leaf can tow.
Note: Nissan does not recommend using the 2020 Leaf for towing.
| Nissan Leaf Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg |
2019 Nissan Leaf Towing Capacity
The 2019 Nissan Leaf can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels and configurations.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2019 Nissan Leaf can tow.
Note: Nissan does not recommend using the 2019 Leaf for towing.
| Nissan Leaf Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg |
2018 Nissan Leaf Towing Capacity
The 2018 Nissan Leaf can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels and configurations.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2018 Nissan Leaf can tow.
Note: Nissan does not recommend using the 2018 Leaf for towing.
| Nissan Leaf Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg |
2017 Nissan Leaf Tow Capacity
The 2017 Nissan Leaf can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels and configurations.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2017 Nissan Leaf can tow.
Note: Nissan does not recommend using the 2017 Leaf for towing.
| Nissan Leaf Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg |
2016 Nissan Leaf Tow Capacity
The 2016 Nissan Leaf can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels and configurations.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2016 Nissan Leaf can tow.
Note: Nissan does not recommend using the 2016 Leaf for towing.
| Nissan Leaf Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg |
2015 Nissan Leaf Tow Capacity
The 2015 Nissan Leaf can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels and configurations.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2015 Nissan Leaf can tow.
Note: Nissan does not recommend using the 2015 Leaf for towing.
| Nissan Leaf Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg |
2014 Nissan Leaf Tow Capacity
The 2014 Nissan Leaf can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels and configurations.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2014 Nissan Leaf can tow.
Note: Nissan does not recommend using the 2014 Leaf for towing.
| Nissan Leaf Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg |
2013 Nissan Leaf Tow Capacity
The 2013 Nissan Leaf can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels and configurations.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2013 Nissan Leaf can tow.
Note: Nissan does not recommend using the 2013 Leaf for towing.
| Nissan Leaf Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg |
2012 Nissan Leaf Tow Capacity
The 2012 Nissan Leaf can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels and configurations.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2012 Nissan Leaf can tow.
Note: Nissan does not recommend using the 2012 Leaf for towing.
| Nissan Leaf Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg |
2011 Nissan Leaf Tow Capacity
The 2011 Nissan Leaf can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels and configurations.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2011 Nissan Leaf can tow.
Note: Nissan does not recommend using the 2011 Leaf for towing.
| Nissan Leaf Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg |
2010 Nissan Leaf Tow Capacity
The 2010 Nissan Leaf can tow 2,000 pounds across all trim levels and configurations.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2010 Nissan Leaf can tow.
Note: Nissan does not recommend using the 2010 Leaf for towing.
| Nissan Leaf Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg |
Data Accuracy
We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official Nissan Leaf Owner’s Manuals on Nissan’s website and have checked all data thoroughly for accuracy.
Having said that, we still recommend you refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual yourself before towing with your Nissan Leaf.