Cargo Organizer for my Nissan Leaf April 8, 2012 Mark D Larsen

Open and Shut Case (click to enlarge)

When I first saw the Leaf on tour, I noted that, because it lacked a spare tire, its cargo area was “cavernous.” When I took my first test drive nearly a year later, I took the following photos, and purported that Nissan (my quote:) “should provide a false floor over that area so that, when folding the rear seats forward as shown below on the right, you would have a flat area to lay cargo instead of a gaping hole.”

Open Wide (click to enlarge)

The Hole Truth (click to enlarge)

Nissan was already one step ahead of me, it seems, for among the accessories when the Leaf finally went on sale was a clever... “cargo organizer.” It consists of a plastic insert divided into two molded storage bins, with lids that render the cargo area flat and level with the rear seats when folded forward. I knew that this was one accessory that I would have to have with my Leaf, and included it in my order. In truth, it has exceeded my expectations. You can see below on the left that, with its lids in place, the cargo organizer does indeed raise the “floor” in the rear to the same level as the charger hump and rear seats when folded forward.

On the Level (click to enlarge)

Underhanded (click to enlarge)

Above on the right the lids are open, showing the storage bins underneath. You can see that the accessory boasts several clever features. For example, the lids can be set vertically in grooves at the rear of the bins, out of the way, to accommodate tall items in the cargo area. Moreover, when in that vertical position, the lids sit low enough that the Leaf's cargo cover can still close flat when the hatch is shut, thus hiding the cargo from prying eyes. And the lids also have three round knobs underneath upon which one could hang shopping bags so that the contents do not spill out and roll around the bins.

You can also see that the bins have ajustable dividers and slotted side grooves. You can thus configure larger and smaller sections in the bins, depending upon the size of cargo you need to carry. I predict that most owners who have the cargo organizer will put their onboard “trickle” EVSE in the smaller bin on the right, rather than attached to the hook up above. On the left below, you can see that I put in the very bottom of that smaller bin an extension cord and the 240V adapters for my upgraded unit. I then place the bag with the cordset itself on top of those, as well as a small first aid kit on the side, as shown on the right below.

Cable Guy (click to enlarge)

Bag Man (click to enlarge)

You can see in the three photos below that the cargo organizer does, indeed, create a flat surface when the rear seats are folded down, making it much easier to load, transport, and unload larger, bulkier items:

Background Info (click to enlarge)

Front and Center (click to enlarge)

Sidestep (click to enlarge)

The cargo organizer has already proven its worth. I bought a patio barbecue at Lowe’s that, when laid on its back, would fit in the back of the Leaf. Loading it through the hatch and hauling it home was a cinch, something that would have been tricky, if not impossible, without the entirely flat surface, front-to-rear, created by the cargo organizer. As you can see below, with this accessory, the Leaf can serve as a respectable “workhorse” when needed.

Bringing Up the Rear (click to enlarge)

Front Loader (click to enlarge)