Nissan LEAF vs. Tesla Model 3
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Nissan LEAF and Tesla Model 3 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 Nissan LEAF and the Tesla Model 3.
When comparing the Nissan LEAF's and the Tesla Model 3's specifications and ratings, The Tesla Model 3 has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Nissan LEAF's and the Tesla Model 3's specifications and ratings, the Tesla Model 3 is a better car than the Nissan LEAF.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Nissan LEAF loses 55.6 percent of its value and the Tesla Model 3 loses 46.7 percent of its value. This means the Tesla Model 3 retains 8.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Nissan LEAF.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Nissan LEAF is 8.0 out of 10 while the Tesla Model 3's quality rating is 8.3 out of 10. This results in the Nissan LEAF being ranked 4 out of 26 Best Electric Cars and the Tesla Model 3 being ranked 1 out of 26.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Nissan LEAF is 6.9 out of 10. For the Tesla Model 3 the reliability rating is 7.2 out of 10. This gives the Tesla Model 3 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Nissan LEAF.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Nissan LEAF’s base engine makes 147 horsepower, and the Tesla Model 3 base engine makes 271 horsepower.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Nissan LEAF and the Tesla Model 3 have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$23,419 - $38,719
Starting MSRP:
$28,140
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$38,990
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$47,030
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$38,990 - $52,200
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$31,683
Price Range:
$17,999 - $38,610
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
306
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
594
# Good or Great Deals:
12
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$60,093
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$58,090 - $62,096
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Nissan LEAF Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.0 / 10
Reliability:
6.9 / 10
Retained Value:
7.0 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Tesla Model 3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.2 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Nissan LEAF
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
8.5
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Tesla Model 3
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:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.6
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
127.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
9.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
1.5 - 127.5
Nissan LEAF Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 26Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 26Ranking
3 out of / 26Ranking
4 out of / 26Ranking
4 out of / 26Ranking
6 out of / 26Ranking
12 out of / 26Ranking
12 out of / 26Ranking
14 out of / 26Ranking
16 out of / 26Tesla Model 3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 26Ranking
1 out of / 26Ranking
1 out of / 26Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
1 out of / 14Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
3 out of / 26Ranking
3 out of / 15Ranking
3 out of / 15Ranking
4 out of / 26Ranking
4 out of / 15Ranking
5 out of / 26Ranking
5 out of / 26Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 15Ranking
11 out of / 26Ranking
11 out of / 26Ranking
11 out of / 15Summary 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.
Summary Review
The Tesla Model 3 is widely regarded as the best electric sedan in the world. The Model 3 is also the top-selling EV in the US market by a wide margin. This compact/midsize sedan offers a thrilling driving experience and advanced technology.
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
Pros and Cons
- Excellent range
- AWD available
- Attractive styling
- Amazing performance with Performance trim
- No Android Auto or Apple CarPlay
- Pricier than its reputation (mid-$50Ks is the typical price point)
- No spare tire on any trim
- Interior design and materials don’t match premium pricing
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Nissan LEAF Trim Levels
S, SV PLUS
Tesla Model 3 Trim Levels
Base, Long Range, Performance
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
8 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 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
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
147 hp
Torque:
236 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.042 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
271 hp
Torque:
310 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.070 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
MPGe:
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
150 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Battery Size/Capacity :
40 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
8 hours (240V)
Engine Specifications
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
MPGe:
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
272 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Battery Size/Capacity:
50 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
10.4 hours (240V)
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
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
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.2 inches
Cargo Space:
24.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3509 lbs
Width:
70.5 inches
Height:
61.5 inches
Length:
176.4 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.9 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3891 lbs
Width:
82.2 inches
Height:
56.7 inches
Length:
185.8 inches
Wheelbase:
113.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P205/55R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Super Black
Blue
Deep Blue Pearl
Gray
Gun Metallic
Silver
Brilliant Silver Metallic
White
Glacier White
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Solid Black
Blue
Deep Blue Metallic
Gray
Stealth Gray
Silver
Not available
White
Pearl White Multi-Coat
Red
Ultra Red
Interior Colors
Black
Black
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
White
Black and White