Nissan LEAF vs BMW i3
Overview | |
MSRP$31,600 | MSRP$42,400 |
Average price$13,418 | Average price$16,007 |
Listings3707 | Listings534 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews6.8 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.0 out of 10 |
Pros
| |
Reviews SummaryThis is the car I wish Nissan made 10 years ago, when the first-generation Leaf almost stranded me on my way to work. Batteries have improved so much since 2010, they've made those early cars practically worthless on the used market. Case in point: with the second-generation Leaf, Nissan has added a new Plus model that claims up to 226 miles per charge, offers quicker acceleration, and includes more technology for every Leaf trim. It's enough to make the Leaf feel like a real car. | |
Reviews SummaryThe small, lumpy i3 hatchback may not look like a BMW underneath all of its badges and grilles, but it does have enough tech to make up for it. A carbon fiber and aluminum body, and lightweight materials inside, help a 22kWh battery power the i3 for 80 miles on electricity alone—when fitted with an optional "range extending" gas-powered generator, twice that. Its $42,400 entry price isn't for the squeamish, but the "gee-whiz" tech helps make up for that. | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine147 hp Electric | Engine168 hp Electric |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainRWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity4 |
EV Battery Capacity40 kWh | EV Battery Capacity27 kWh |
MPG City123 | MPG City127 |
MPG Highway99 | MPG Highway111 |
Battery Charge Time (240V)8 hours | Battery Charge Time (240V)4 hours |
Engine | |
Engine Name147 hp Electric | Engine Name168 hp Electric |
Battery Charge Time (240V)8 hours | Battery Charge Time (240V)4 hours |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainRWD |
Fuel Economy | |
EV Battery Capacity40 kWh | EV Battery Capacity27 kWh |
MPG City123 | MPG City127 |
MPG Highway99 | MPG Highway111 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity4 |
Key Features | |
Navigation System | Navigation SystemStandard |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space23.6 cu ft | Cargo Space11.8 cu ft |
Curb Weight3538 lbs | Curb Weight2634 lbs |
Height61.4 in | Height62.1 in |
Length176.4 in | Length157.8 in |
Width70.5 in | Width70.0 in |
Wheelbase106.3 in | Wheelbase101.2 in |
Maximum Payload1220 lbs | Maximum Payload |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $31,600 | $42,400 |
Average price | $13,418 | $16,007 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.0 | 4.4 |
Expert reviews | 6.8 out of 10Read full review | 7.0 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| |
Summary | This is the car I wish Nissan made 10 years ago, when the first-generation Leaf almost stranded me on my way to work. Batteries have improved so much since 2010, they've made those early cars practically worthless on the used market. Case in point: with the second-generation Leaf, Nissan has added a new Plus model that claims up to 226 miles per charge, offers quicker acceleration, and includes more technology for every Leaf trim. It's enough to make the Leaf feel like a real car. | The small, lumpy i3 hatchback may not look like a BMW underneath all of its badges and grilles, but it does have enough tech to make up for it. A carbon fiber and aluminum body, and lightweight materials inside, help a 22kWh battery power the i3 for 80 miles on electricity alone—when fitted with an optional "range extending" gas-powered generator, twice that. Its $42,400 entry price isn't for the squeamish, but the "gee-whiz" tech helps make up for that. |
Video | ||
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 147 hp Electric | 168 hp Electric |
Drive Train | FWD | RWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 4 |
EV Battery Capacity | 40 kWh | 27 kWh |
MPG City | 123 | 127 |
MPG Highway | 99 | 111 |
Battery Charge Time (240V) | 8 hours | 4 hours |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 147 hp Electric | 168 hp Electric |
Battery Charge Time (240V) | 8 hours | 4 hours |
Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
EV Battery Capacity | 40 kWh | 27 kWh |
MPG City | 123 | 127 |
MPG Highway | 99 | 111 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 4 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 23.6 cu ft | 11.8 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3538 lbs | 2634 lbs |
Height | 61.4 in | 62.1 in |
Length | 176.4 in | 157.8 in |
Width | 70.5 in | 70.0 in |
Wheelbase | 106.3 in | 101.2 in |
Maximum Payload | 1220 lbs | |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
By: CarGurus + AI
This car comparison has been created with using generative AI. It is based entirely on CarGurus expert review content, ratings and data, and leverages our extensive library of hands-on product tests to create thousands of unique comparisons to help shoppers choose the right car.