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 area of 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.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Nissan LEAF’s base engine makes 214 horsepower, and the Tesla Model 3 base engine makes 425 horsepower.
Safety Ratings: The Tesla Model 3 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:
34230
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
42490
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
53363
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
42490 - 64800
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
38037
Price Range:
34489 - 42997
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
49176
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
38037 - 60314
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
Depreciation %:
Resale Value $:
Typical Category Depreciation %:
N/A
Category Depreciation Range:
N/A
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
24507
Depreciation %:
0.57676273
Resale Value $:
17983
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
0.57677703
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
0.57676273 - 0.68367001
Nissan LEAF Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Tesla Model 3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.3 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Nissan LEAF
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Tesla Model 3
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
167.42938742975846
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
6.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
6.4 - 167.4
Nissan LEAF Rankings
Not yet available
Tesla Model 3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 21Ranking
3 out of / 30Ranking
3 out of / 22Ranking
4 out of / 22Ranking
4 out of / 22Ranking
4 out of / 22Ranking
5 out of / 27Ranking
6 out of / 30Ranking
6 out of / 30Ranking
7 out of / 30Ranking
11 out of / 22Ranking
16 out of / 30Ranking
17 out of / 22Ranking
18 out of / 30Summary 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
Wagon
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Nissan LEAF Trim Levels
Platinum+, SV+
Tesla Model 3 Trim Levels
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 / 120000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 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
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
214 hp
Torque:
261 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
425 hp
Torque:
475 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.105 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Transmission:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
MPGe:
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
288 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Battery Size/Capacity :
75 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
MPGe:
127 / 127 / 127
Range (city/hwy):
363 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity:
82 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
11.7 hours (240V)
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
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
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
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
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention 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
Backup camera:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention 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:
N/A
Backup camera:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
31.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.6 inches
Cargo Space:
20 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
55.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
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
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4231 lbs
Width:
82.6 inches
Height:
61.3 inches
Length:
173.4 inches
Wheelbase:
105.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4030 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:
18.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/55R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Diamond Pearl
Blue
Deep Ocean Blue Pearl / Seabreeze Blue Pearl/Black
Gray
Gun Metallic
White
Everest White Pearl Tricoat / Everest White Pearl TriCoat/Black
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Solid Black
Blue
Deep Blue Metallic
Gray
Stealth Gray
White
Pearl White Multi-Coat
Red
Ultra Red
Silver
Quicksilver
Interior Colors
Black
Dark
Gray
Unique
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Not available
White
Black and White
