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BMW i3 vs. Nissan LEAF

When comparing the BMW i3 to the Nissan LEAF, the BMW i3 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Nissan LEAF has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, interior volume and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the BMW i3 versus the Nissan LEAF, the Nissan LEAF is a better car than the BMW i3.

BMW i3 versus Nissan LEAF Pricing

A used 2021 BMW i3 ranges from $33,027 to $41,898 while a used 2021 Nissan LEAF is priced between $22,997 to $37,389.

BMW i3 versus Nissan LEAF Quality Rating

The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW i3 is 6.5 out of 10 while the Nissan LEAF's quality rating is 8.1 out of 10. This results in the BMW i3 being ranked 5 out of 15 Best Small Electric Cars and the Nissan LEAF being ranked 2 out of 15. Out of 25 Best Electric Cars, the BMW i3 is ranked 25 and the Nissan LEAF is ranked 3.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison

For engine performance, the BMW i3’s base engine makes 168 horsepower, and the Nissan LEAF base engine makes 147 horsepower. The i3 is rated to deliver an average of 124 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe), with a highway range of 153 miles. The LEAF is rated to deliver an average of 123 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe), with a highway range of 150 miles. Both models use electricity. The charge time for the i3 is 7 hours (240V), while the charge time for the LEAF is 8 hours (240V).

Passenger Space Comparison

While both models are electric compact cars, the Nissan LEAF has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and trunk space.

Safety Ratings Comparison

The Nissan LEAF has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.

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2021 BMW i3 Electric

2021 Nissan LEAF

Pricing

New Asking Price:

-

Used Asking Price:

$33,027 - $41,898

5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):

70.9%

Pricing

New Asking Price:

$28,066 - $41,958

Used Asking Price:

$22,997 - $37,389

5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):

65.1%

iSeeCars Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

6.5 / 10

Reliability:

7.2 / 10

Retained Value:

5.8 / 10

Safety:

Not available

iSeeCars Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.1 / 10

Reliability:

7.6 / 10

Retained Value:

6.6 / 10

Safety:

10.0 / 10

iSeeCars Rankings

3 / 11

Most Reliable Luxury Electric Cars

3 / 11

Most Reliable Small Electric Cars

4 / 15
5 / 25
5 / 15
6 / 25

Luxury Electric Cars with Best Resale Value

11 / 11

Small Electric Cars with Best Resale Value

15 / 15

Electric Cars with Best Resale Value

25 / 25

iSeeCars Rankings

2 / 25
2 / 15

Most Reliable Small Electric Cars

2 / 15
2 / 2
3 / 25
3 / 25

Small Electric Cars with Best Resale Value

14 / 15

Electric Cars with Best Resale Value

19 / 25

Summary Review

The BMW i3 is a compact electric car and was the first European EV to market in the US. BMW broke the mold when it created this fresh approach to motoring.

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Summary Review

Nissan’s four-door hatchback Leaf was the original battery-electric vehicle of the modern age. This ground-breaking EV has topped sales charts globally for affordable EVs for years. The Leaf offers many shoppers an attractive package that's hard to ignore.

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Pros and Cons

  • Ultra-green construction with low carbon footprint
  • Unique styling
  • Vegan interior options

  • Polarizing styling
  • Limited space for its price point
  • Poor reliability score
  • Adaptive cruise control is not standard
  • Rear-wheel drive only

Pros and Cons

  • Impressive interior space given its small size
  • Excellent availability nationwide
  • Strong EV commitment from Nissan means widespread service support

  • Limited range on older models
  • Lackluster performance on first-generation cars
  • Safety ratings from IIHS less than stellar

Available Body Styles

Hatchback

Available Body Styles

Hatchback

Available Drivetrain Options

Electric, Plug-In Hybrid

Available Drivetrain Options

Electric

Trim Levels

Base, s

Trim Levels

S, S PLUS, SL PLUS, SV, SV PLUS

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

4 years / 50000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain

4 years / 50000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

4 years

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

3 years / 36000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

3 years / 36000 miles

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

Not yet available

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

5 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Base Drivetrain Specifications

Horsepower:

168 hp

Torque:

184 foot-lbs

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.057 hp per pound

Base Drivetrain Specifications

Horsepower:

147 hp

Torque:

236 foot-lbs

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.042 hp per pound

Engine Specifications

Transmission:

Automatic

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

RWD

MPGe:

124 / 102 / 113

Range (city/hwy):

153 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Electricity

Battery Size/Capacity :

42 kWh

Maximum Charging Rate:

7 hours (240V)

Engine Specifications

Transmission:

Automatic

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

MPGe:

123 / 99 / 111

Range (city/hwy):

150 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Electricity

Battery Size/Capacity:

40 kWh

Maximum Charging Rate:

8 hours (240V)

Standard/Optional Features

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Android Auto:

N/A

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Available

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Available

Heated Seats:

Standard

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

N/A

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Standard

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

N/A

Standard/Optional Features

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

N/A

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Available

Heated Seats:

Available

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

N/A

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

N/A

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Safety Equipment

Forward Collision Warning:

N/A

Pedestrian Detection:

N/A

Lane Departure Warning:

N/A

Lane Keeping Assist:

N/A

Blind Spot Monitoring:

N/A

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

N/A

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Rear Seat Reminder:

N/A

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Safety Equipment

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

Available

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Available

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

39.8 inches

Front Leg Room:

40.5 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

53.6 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.2 inches

Rear Leg Room:

31.9 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

49.2 inches

Cargo Space:

15.1 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

98.7 cubic feet

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

41.2 inches

Front Leg Room:

42.1 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

54.3 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.3 inches

Rear Leg Room:

33.5 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

52.5 inches

Cargo Space:

23.6 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

116.0 cubic feet

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

2972 lbs

Width:

80.3 inches

Height:

62.9 inches

Length:

158.3 inches

Wheelbase:

101.2 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.5 inches

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3501 lbs

Width:

70.5 inches

Height:

61.4 inches

Length:

176.4 inches

Wheelbase:

106.3 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.9 inches

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

19.0 x 5.0 inches

Wheel Type:

alloy

Tire Size:

155/70R19

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

16.0 x 6.5 inches

Wheel Type:

steel

Tire Size:

P205/55R16