2012 Chevrolet Volt vs 2012 Nissan Leaf vs 2012 Tesla Model S

2012 Chevrolet Volt

2012 Nissan Leaf

2012 Tesla Model S

Select style

5-Door HB

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Volt 5-Door HB	35	40	$37,579	$39,145

Select style

4-Door HB SL

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
LEAF 4-Door HB SL	N/A	N/A	$35,668	$37,250
LEAF 4-Door HB SV	N/A	N/A	$33,707	$35,200

Select style

4-Door Sedan

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Model S 4-Door Sedan	N/A	N/A	N/A	$57,400
Model S 4-Door Sedan Performance	N/A	N/A	N/A	$92,400
Model S 4-Door Sedan Signature	N/A	N/A	N/A	$95,400
Model S 4-Door Sedan Signature Performance	N/A	N/A	N/A	$105,400

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$37,579

$35,668

N/A

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$39,145

$37,250

$57,400

Monthly Payment Estimate

$652 / month

$621 / month

$957 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.4

Read Our Full Review

7.8

Read Our Full Review

8.4

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2012 Chevrolet Volt is the plug-in electric car you drive as far as you want--if you can find one to buy.

The 2012 Nissan Leaf is, quite simply, the first battery electric vehicle built in volume by any major carmaker; if you can get comfortable with its range of 70 to 100 miles, it's the greenest car you can buy.

The 2012 Tesla Model S sedan turns out to be a much better car than most expected; it just might meld sport-sedan driving, interior space, and comfort with zero-emission running in one revolutionary package.

TCC Likes

An electric car sans range anxiety
Feels like a regular car behind the wheel
Comfortable, stylish interior

First "real" battery electric car built in volume
Distinctive and futuristic design
Quiet, smooth electric drive

Elegant design
Spacious interior, cargo capacity
Versatile hatchback design

TCC Dislikes

Exterior styling not to everyone's taste
Costly, even after various incentives
Takes premium fuel

Range of only 70 to 100 miles
Steering and handling are uninspiring
Rear seats require knees-up position

Uncertain future of Tesla
Most controls via touchscreen display
Dubious 7-passenger claim

Fuel Economy

City

35 mpg

0 mpg

Highway

40 mpg

0 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact Cars

Midsize

Number of Passenger Doors

Interior Dimensions

Second Leg Room (in)

34.1

31.1

35.4

Front Head Room (in)

37.8

41.2

38.8

Passenger Capacity

Second Hip Room (in)

51.2

50.0

54.7

Front Shoulder Room (in)

56.5

54.4

57.7

Second Head Room (in)

36.0

37.3

35.3

Second Shoulder Room (in)

53.9

52.5

55.0

Front Leg Room (in)

42.1

42.7

Passenger Volume (ft³)

90.0

98.3

94.0

Front Hip Room (in)

53.7

51.5

55.0

Exterior Dimensions

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.4

69.7

77.3

Track Width, Front (in)

61.2

60.6

65.4

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

6.3

6.0

Length, Overall (in)

177.1

175.0

196.0

Height, Overall (in)

56.6

61.0

56.5

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.1

60.4

66.9

Wheelbase (in)

105.7

106.3

116.5

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

10.6

- TBD -

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

14.5

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

24.0

Brakes

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.8 x - TBD -

11.1 x 1.1

14.0 x 1.3

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

Four-Wheel

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.5 x - TBD -

11.5 x 0.6

14.4 x 1.1

Brake Type

Regenerative

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

9.3

Steering

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

2.8

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

36.1

N/A

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

15.4

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

36.0

34.1

37.0

Steering Type

Electric Pwr

Electric Rack-&-Pinion

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P215/55R17

P205/55R16

245/45R19

Rear Tire Order Code

5GN

Front Tire Size

P215/55R17

P205/55R16

245/45R19

Spare Tire Size

Front Tire Order Code

5GN

Spare Tire Order Code

Trailering

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3781

3401

4647

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 x 7.0

16 x - TBD -

19 x - TBD -

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 x 7.0

16 x - TBD -

19 x - TBD -

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

- TBD -

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

- TBD -

Engine

Fuel System

Electronic Fuel Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

- TBD -

207 @ - TBD -

325

Engine Order Code

LUU

EM61

Displacement

1.4L/85

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

- TBD -

107 @ - TBD -

362 @ 6000

Engine Type

Electric/Gas I4

Electric

Mileage

Battery Range (mi)

160 (Est)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA MPG Equivalent - City

106

- TBD -

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA MPG Equivalent - Combined

- TBD -

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

EPA MPG Equivalent - Hwy

- TBD -

Transmission

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

7.93

- TBD -

Drivetrain

Front wheel drive

Front Wheel Drive

Rear Wheel Drive

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

- TBD -

9.73

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Type

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

- TBD -

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Order Code

MKA

RE1F61A

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

Summary

Body Style

Hatchback

4 Door Hatchback

Sedan

Vehicle Name

Chevrolet Volt

Nissan LEAF

Tesla Model S

Suspension

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

N/A

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

Compound Crank

Torsion Beam

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

N/A

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Double-Wishbone

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

5.0

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

- TBD -

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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