The 2016 Nissan Leaf gets a few updates, most notably an optional 30-kilowatt-hour battery pack that allows for a 107-mile range.

That's a substantial increase over the 84 miles of the existing 24-kWh pack, which is still available in the base Leaf S.

But how does this latest update compare to past updates for the Leaf, such as the one that occurred during the 2012 model year?

DON'T MISS: 2016 Nissan Leaf Offers 107-Mile Range With 30-kWh Battery; Leaf S Unchanged

In both 2016 and 2012, more equipment and potentially-improved performance came with increases in costs on at least some versions.

While Nissan raised prices from 2015, the higher-range 2016 Leaf is actually cheaper now than the 2012 model was four years ago.

How those two compare was brought up in a recent discussion on the Seattle Nissan Leaf Owners Facebook group.

2012 Nissan Leaf

For 2016, 107-mile Leaf models start at $35,090 for the Leaf SV, and $37,640 for the Leaf SL (all prices include a mandatory $850 destination charge).

The longer-range 2016 Leaf SV model costs $380 less than its comparable 84-mile version last year, because Nissan made DC quick-charging standard.

A high-end 2016 Leaf SL costs $1,670more than the previous year's model; both last year's and this year's have standard DC quick-charging.

ALSO SEE: 2012 Nissan Leaf: More Standard Equipment, Higher Price

The base Leaf S is unchanged for 2016, at a price of $28,060. Besides the larger optional battery pack, other changes for 2016 include improvements to infotainment systems, and three new paint colors.

Back in 2012, the Leaf SV started at $36,050, while the Leaf SL started at $38,100. (There was no Leaf S until 2013.)

That was an increase of $2,420 over the price of a 2011 Leaf SV. Pricing information for the 2011 Leaf SL is no longer available.

The Leaf SV was the base model at the time; Nissan added the Leaf S for the 2013 model year as a more affordable entry-level model.

2016 Nissan Leaf

For 2012, Nissan added a standard winter package, including battery-pack warming, heated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel.

It also made DC fast-charging capability standard on the Leaf SL. It was previously a $700 option.

Looking back at the 2012 model, it seems that buyers of the new 2016 Leaf are doing alright.

MORE: Nissan Leaf With 250-Mile Range: Ghosn Shows R&D Car, Video At Annual Meeting

And in addition to its larger available battery pack, the 2016 Leaf benefits from other improvements made since then, like the 6.6-kW onboard charger that became available in 2013.

The 2016 Leaf is likely just a preview of what the redesigned, second-generation model will offer.

When it arrives in 2017 or 2018, that model could have a range approaching 200 miles.

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