S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
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S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
Overall Rating
Come the year 2021, no major changes are expected to occur on the Nissan Leaf hatchback. The 2021 Nissan Leaf will continue to cater to its buyer via the medium of two battery pack options.
The 2021 Nissan Leaf, released and unchanged from the 2020 model, comes at a starting MSRP of $31,670. The hatch comes with two configuration options that determine its power and range - a 40 kWh pack making 147 hp and 150 miles of range, and a 62 kWh pack making 214 hp and 226 miles of range. The 2021 Tesla Model 3 still continues to be the biggest rival of the Nissan Leaf EV.
There is a lot of technology ranging from the 8" inch touchscreen to the NissanConnect EV smartphone application to the many driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking system, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. The 2021 Nissan Leaf is up-to-date for the current year.Â
At a price of $38,220, Nissan Leaf S Plus includes the bigger 62 kWh battery pack, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, intelligent lane intervention, and a rear sonar system. Its rival the 2021 Tesla Model 3 offers more range, but no smartphone connectivity and has optional driver assistance features.
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
S 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)
Come the year 2021, no major changes are expected to occur on the Nissan Leaf hatchback. The 2021 Nissan Leaf will continue to cater to its buyer via the medium of two battery pack options.
The 2021 Nissan Leaf, released and unchanged from the 2020 model, comes at a starting MSRP of $31,670. The hatch comes with two configuration options that determine its power and range - a 40 kWh pack making 147 hp and 150 miles of range, and a 62 kWh pack making 214 hp and 226 miles of range. The 2021 Tesla Model 3 still continues to be the biggest rival of the Nissan Leaf EV.
There is a lot of technology ranging from the 8" inch touchscreen to the NissanConnect EV smartphone application to the many driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking system, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. The 2021 Nissan Leaf is up-to-date for the current year.Â
"Its starting price is low, but so is its driving range, making the Leaf a bargain only for those who can charge frequently and avoid long distance trips." - Car and Driver
The 2021 Nissan Leaf comes in five trim levels - Leaf S, Leaf SV, Leaf S Plus, Leaf SV Plus, and Leaf SL Plus, available within a range of $31,670 to $43,970. The S and SV trim comes with a 40 kWh battery and the Plus trims come with the bigger 62 kWh battery. All variants are offered with front-wheel drive as standard.
There SV, SV Plus, and the SL get the Nissan Connect EV with navigation, a smartphone application that can help you check your charge levels, trip information, and even start the car and set the temperature, it is not available on the S and S Plus trims. The optional features include Nissan accessories in the form of interior mats, splash guards, and portable charging cable ($1,549), and will cost less than $200 per accessory you add.
Models |
S |
SV |
S Plus |
SV Plus |
SL Plus |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$31,670 |
$34,960 |
$38,270 |
$40,520 |
$43,970 |
Key Features |
Charge port and Light lock |
Adds to S features |
Adds to S features |
Adds to S Plus features |
Adds SV Plus features |
Push-button start |
Intelligent cruise control |
Quick Charge Port and Portable Charge Cable (120V/240V EVSE) |
Nissan Door to Door Navigation |
ProPILOT assist |
|
Dual power remote-controlled outside mirrors |
Quick Charge port |
Intelligent Forward Collision Warning |
NissanConnect EV Services with Remote Start Charge and Climate Control |
Intelligent AroundView Monitor |
|
Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone system |
Leather-wrapped steering wheel |
8” Color Touch Screen |
17” alloy wheels |
Bose Premium Audio System with 7 speakers |
|
60/40 foldable rear seats |
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
Hands-free text messaging assistant |
Customizable alerts |
LED headlights |
|
NissanConnect EV with Navigation & Services |
SiriusXM Radio with advanced audio features |
Fog Lights |
Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection |
||
USB port |
Blind Spot warning |
||||
Siri Eyes Free |
Electronic Parking Brake |
At a price of $38,270, Nissan Leaf S Plus includes the bigger 62 kWh battery pack, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, intelligent lane intervention, and a rear sonar system. Its rival the 2021 Tesla Model 3 offers more range, but no smartphone connectivity and has optional driver assistance features.
"The instant torque makes the Leaf feel more perky than the average economy car, but its electric-car heft and very light steering bring it back down to earth." - The Car Connection
The 2021 Nissan Leaf in its base configuration makes 147 horsepower and 187 lb-ft of torque. The 2021 Nissan Leaf Plus makes 214 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. A single-speed direct-drive transmission directs all the power to the front wheels, and this is the only option available.
You can drive it around in either the normal mode or the eco mode which slightly affects performance. Speaking of performance, The 2021 Nissan Leaf does 0 to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds and can cover a quarter-mile in 16.5 seconds, and will get a top speed of 98 mph. The Kia Niro and the Hyundai Kona are faster by 1.7 and 1.8 seconds faster respectively.
Models |
2021 Nissan Leaf |
2021 Tesla Model 3 |
2021 Kia Niro EV |
2021 Hyundai Kona |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$38,270 |
$38,490 |
$39,090 |
$37,390 |
Engine |
Electric Motor |
Electric Motor |
Electric Motor |
Electric Motor |
Drivetrain |
FWD |
RWD |
FWD |
FWD |
Transmission |
Single Speed Direct Drive |
Single Speed Direct Drive |
Single Speed Direct Drive |
Single Speed Direct Drive |
Power (hp@RPM) |
214hp@3,280 RPM |
283hp@5,900 RPM |
201hp@3,800 RPM |
201hp@3,800 RPM |
Torque (lb-ft@RPM) |
250 lb-ft@NA RPM |
307lb-ft@NA RPM |
291b-ft@ NA RPM |
291b-ft@NA RPM |
0-60 MPH (seconds) |
8.4 sec |
5.3 sec |
6.7 sec |
6.6 sec |
Quarter Mile (seconds) |
16.5 sec |
12.3 sec |
15.1 sec |
15.1 sec |
Top Speed (MPH) |
98 MPH |
140 MPH |
104 MPH |
104 MPH |
Tesla by all means is the best EV in terms of performance and acceleration. Astonishingly, the 2021 Tesla Model 3 is priced at $1000 lesser than the 2021 Nissan Leaf. With a massive difference in power delivery and torque generation when compared with its competitors, Tesla also leads with the maximum speed of 140 MPH to its name.
"Our SV Plus test vehicle exceeded its EPA highway rating of 94 MPGe by delivering 98 MPGe over our 200-mile highway fuel-economy test route." - Car and Driver
The 2021 Nissan Leaf leaf can give a range of up to a range of 226 miles which comes with the bigger 62kWh battery pack, this trim would cost you anywhere between $38,270-$43,970. The base 40 kWh capacity gives a range of 150 miles on a full charge, priced between $31,670-$34,960. The Tesla Model 3, Kia Niro, and the Hyundai Kona offering more range than the Nissan Leaf.
The 2021 Nissan Leaf will take It takes 8 hours from a home charger (240V) or level 2 public charger to fully charge the 40 kWh and the 62 kWh will take up to 11.5 hours. Nissan does offer a portable charger as an option for $1,549. Quick charging is available and the times are 40 mins for the 40kWh to 80%, 45 mins for the 62kWh to 80%, and 60 mins for a full charge. The Hyundai Kona's fast charge to 80% takes 11 mins more than the Nissan Leaf.
Model |
2021 Nissan Leaf (Expected) |
2021 Tesla Model 3 |
2021 Kia Niro |
2021 Hyundai Kona |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPGe (City) |
114 |
148 |
123 |
132 |
MPGe (Highway) |
94 |
132 |
102 |
108 |
MPGe (Combined) |
104 |
141 |
112 |
120 |
Range |
226 miles |
250 miles |
239 miles |
258 miles |
Up against the competition, the Tesla Model 3 once again proves its prowess. Offering a range of 250 miles. However, the 2021 Hyundai Kona offers a slightly better range, 258 miles on a full charge. Overall, if we go to look at the individual parameters, the 2021 Tesla Model 3 has the best offering for city, highway, and its Combined reading.
 The Leaf's seats are La-Z-Boy comfortable; the spacious rear seat offers plenty of room for adults, too. Despite the fact that the Leaf's back sea doesn't create a flat load floor when folded, we found the cargo capacity to be among the best in its class. - Car and Driver
The interior of the 2021 Nissan Leaf feels and looks quite decent and can accommodate 5 occupants on the inside. There are ample leg and headroom in the front and rear. It is comfortable while riding and since it is an EV, you don’t get to listen to the mighty engine roar, which leaves just the road noise to be heard. The front seats are power-controlled and heated, covered with leather and Alcantara on the edges.Â
There are also digital gauges which include a speedometer, battery level, battery temperature, and a trip computer. The 2021 Nissan Leaf comes with a 23.6 cu. ft trunk capacity, which expands when the rear seats are folded down. The trunk space of the 2021 Nissan Leaf offers more than its competition.
Model |
2021 Nissan Leaf |
2021 Tesla Model 3 |
2021 Kia Niro |
2021 Hyundai Kona |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seating Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
41.2/54.3/42.1 |
40.3/56.3/42.7 |
40.1/56.0/41.7 |
38.0/55.5/41.5 |
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
37.3/52.5/33.5 |
37.7/54.0/35.2 |
37.7/55.1/36.0 |
37.7/54.5/33.4 |
cargo capacity | 23.6 cu.ft. | 15 cu. ft. | 18.5 cu.ft. | 19.2 cu.ft. |
Nissan has made the 8" touchscreen standard on 2021 Leaf trims, it comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM Satellite radio. There is also USB and Bluetooth connectivity and a 7-speaker Bose sound system. The SV and SL trim comes with the NissanConnect EV smartphone application, a navigation system, and also a SiriusXM traffic and travel link.
Unlike Nissan, the Tesla Model 3 does offer a 15-inch infotainment system that manages infotainment and other car functions. Coming back to the Nissan, the standard infotainment features include:
Scan the Leaf’s body and the “Zero Emissions” plate may be the only cue it’s an electric car. The shape’s gone more conventional in this second generation, with a deep V-shaped grille like the one on other Nissan cars - The Car Connection
Nissan Leaf looks stylish on the exterior but it’s not anything revolutionary. Priced at a range between $31,670 to $43,970, Nissan Leaf sports a unique look especially with the Glacier white and Brilliant Silver metallic paints. Apart from a "zero emissions" badge on the lower part of the front door, it looks like a normal car with a bit of a sporty flair.
Other exterior features include wheels of 17" alloys with painted accents only available on Plus trims that are priced at an MSRP of $38,270-$43,970. The other standard features are the door window glasses that have a bit of a tint on it, front foglights, LED taillights, a lip spoiler, and body-colored bumpers.
Model |
2021 Nissan Leaf |
2021 Tesla Model 3 |
2021 Kia Niro |
2021 Hyundai Kona |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight |
3909 lbs |
3554 lbs |
3854 lbs |
3715 lbs |
Length |
170.4” |
184.8” |
172.2” |
164.6” |
Width |
70.5” |
72.8” |
71.1” |
70.9" |
Height |
61.6” |
56.8” |
61.4” |
61.2” |
Ground Clearance |
5.9” |
5.5” |
6.1” |
6.2” |
Wheelbase |
106.3" |
113.2” |
106.3" |
102.4" |
The Nissan Leaf is the heaviest of the above cars and is of similar dimensions to the Kia Niro and Hyundai Kona. The Tesla Model 3 is the longest of the above cars, also has the longest wheelbase, shortest in height, and the lightest. From the given stats, the 2021 Tesla Model 3 would be providing the best ride. The Korean sisters' on the other hand have a similar offering.
"Crash tests aren’t complete, but the Nissan Leaf’s already a winner." - The Car Connection
The 2021 Nissan Leaf comes with a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA for both versions (normal and Plus). The 2021 Nissan Leaf was rated “good” in all of the Crashworthiness tests conducted by IIHS, scoring a "marginal" in latch ease of use. With Nissan's brand image, it shouldn’t come as a surprise.
The 2021 Leaf has safety features such as active lane control, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking standard across all the trims of the Leaf. Along with these comes the Nissan Safety Shield and ProPILOT assist standard across all the trims. Some of the other safety features include:
The Tesla Model 3 gets the better of the Leaf on almost all fronts and that includes safety too. The Model 3 looks sportier and more dynamic than the Leaf while delivering excellent performance. The infotainment system of Tesla is not only the best in the electric car industry but in the entire car industry. It would be hard not to recommend the Model 3 over the Leaf.
The Kia Niro is a decent car, with a better range than the Leaf and also slightly improved performance. It has a more vibrant interior but on the outside, it looks quite ordinary. It all trickles down to personal preference at this point but both are decent vehicles.
The 2021 Hyundai Kona is a good car that comes with more range and better performance than the leaf. However, the Kona does offer much lesser cargo capacity than the leaf. The infotainment features offered are similar in both. The only deciding factor here would be your personal choice.
The 2021 Nissan Leaf is one of the oldest mainstream electric hatchbacks on the market but not the best of the EVs. With a range of up to 226 miles, it offers lesser than all three of its competition. Hence, we recommend you go for the Hyundai Kona or the Tesla Model 3.