2012 Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf became the first mass-market electric car when it hit dealerships in 2011, and it's still easily experts' top pick among electric cars. Early testers do like the faster-charging 2012 Ford Focus Electric (Base MSRP: $39,200), but it costs more and is available only in a few states so far. The other electric car on the market, the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV (Base MSRP: $29,125 to $31,125), strikes critics as cramped and cheap-feeling compared with the other two.

Like all electric cars, you can only drive the Leaf as far as your battery's charge will carry you (an EPA-estimated 73 miles). Even if you have public quick-charge stations in your area, expect to spend 30 minutes charging your Leaf -- or at least 7 hours at home, to fully charge an empty battery.

The 2012 Nissan Leaf (Base MSRP: $35,200 to $37,250) costs a few thousand dollars more than the 2011 model -- but it gets more standard cold-weather features, including heated seats (front and rear), steering wheel, mirrors and a battery heater. The top-trim Leaf SL also gets a standard quick-charge port for public high-voltage charging stations. Like other plug-in cars, the Leaf qualifies for a federal tax credit up to $7,500, plus additional tax credits in some states.

If the Leaf's range limit makes you nervous about getting stranded, experts point out that the plug-in hybrid 2012 Chevrolet Volt (Base MSRP: $39,145) lets you go electric with a safety net. The Volt can carry you an EPA-estimated 35 miles on electricity alone -- and then the Volt's gas engine takes over, so you can drive as far as you like. The Volt also qualifies for the same tax credits, too.

EPA Fuel Economy Estimates

• City: 106 mpge

• Highway: 92 mpge

• Combined: 99 mpge

NHTSA Safety Ratings

• Front Impact: 4 stars

• Side Impact: 5 stars

• Rollover Resistance: 4 stars

• Overall: 5 star

IIHS Safety Ratings

• Front Offset Impact: Good

• Side Impact: Good

• Rear Impact: Good

• Roof Strength: Good

• Named 2012 Top Safety Pick

For additional details, see our review of the 2011 model

The 2012 Nissan Leaf gets a few extra standard features, but otherwise carries over unchanged from 2011. For complete details and an analysis of what experts say about this electric car, please see our report on the 2011 Nissan Leaf.