Kia Soul EV vs. Nissan LEAF
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Soul EV and Nissan LEAF contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Kia Soul EV and the Nissan LEAF.
When comparing the Kia Soul EV's and the Nissan LEAF's specifications and ratings, the Kia Soul EV has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. The Nissan LEAF has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Kia Soul EV's and the Nissan LEAF's specifications and ratings, the Nissan LEAF is a better car than the Kia Soul EV.
Pricing: A used 2019 Kia Soul EV ranges from $7,486 to $22,648 while a used 2019 Nissan LEAF is priced between $8,500 to $17,997.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia Soul EV’s base engine makes 109 horsepower, and the Nissan LEAF base engine makes 147 horsepower. Both the Soul EV and the LEAF are rated to deliver an average of 124 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe), with highway ranges of 111 and 150 miles respectively. Both models use electricity. The charge time for the Soul EV is 33 hours (120V), while the charge time for the LEAF is 8 hours (240V).
Passenger Space Comparison: The Nissan LEAF has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room, and cargo space. The Kia Soul EV has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: The Nissan LEAF has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
33950
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
29790
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
23900 - 33950
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
29990
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Electric Compact Cars)
32205
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Electric Compact Cars)
29990 - 36620
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
15147
Price Range:
7486 - 22648
Category Avg Price:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
13665
Category Avg Price Range:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
12428 - 15147
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
3
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
43046
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
13354
Price Range:
8500 - 17997
Category Avg Price:
(Electric Compact Cars)
14768
Category Avg Price Range:
(Electric Compact Cars)
13354 - 16533
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
60
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
53852
# Good or Great Deals:
19
Kia Soul EV Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Nissan LEAF Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.1 / 10
Retained Value:
6.8 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Soul EV
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Nissan LEAF
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
3.3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.0
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.121300725085939
Typical Category Recalls:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
1.0
Category Range for Recalls:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
0.9 - 4.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.3639822087002935
Typical Category Recalls:
(Electric Compact Cars)
3.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Electric Compact Cars)
1.1 - 5.3
Kia Soul EV Rankings
Not yet available
Nissan LEAF Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 35Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 35Ranking
2 out of / 35Ranking
3 out of / 35Ranking
3 out of / 35Ranking
5 out of / 35Ranking
17 out of / 35Ranking
20 out of / 35Ranking
21 out of / 35Ranking
29 out of / 35Summary Review
The Kia Soul EV is a five-door hatchback/crossover that brings a green drivetrain to one of Kia’s most popular small vehicles. If you like the Soul but want a green powertrain and don’t mind a much lower range, you’ll love the Soul EV.
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.
Pros and Cons
- All of the standard Soul’s flexibility and functionality
- Fun to drive
- Limited range
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
Wagon
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Kia Soul EV Trim Levels
+, Base
Nissan LEAF Trim Levels
S, S PLUS, SL, SL PLUS, SV, SV PLUS
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
109 hp
Torque:
210 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.033 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
147 hp
Torque:
236 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.043 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
MPGe:
124 / 93 / 108
Range (city/hwy):
111 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity :
30 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
33 hours (120V)
Engine Specifications
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
MPGe:
124 / 99 / 112
Range (city/hwy):
150 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity:
40 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
8 hours (240V)
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Available
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Available
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.7 inches
Cargo Space:
18.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
49.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
115.9 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
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
30 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
116 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3289 lbs
Width:
70.9 inches
Height:
63 inches
Length:
163 inches
Wheelbase:
101.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.9 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3433 lbs
Width:
70.5 inches
Height:
61.4 inches
Length:
176.4 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/60R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P205/55R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Shadow Black
Blue
Caribbean Blue/Clear White
Gray
Titanium Gray
Silver
Bright Silver
White
Clear White / Cloud White
Exterior Colors
Black
Super Black
Blue
Deep Blue Pearl
Gray
Gun Metallic
Silver
Brilliant Silver Metallic
White
Glacier White
Interior Colors
Gray
Gray
Black
Not available
Interior Colors
Gray
Not available
Black
Black
