2013 Chevrolet Volt vs 2013 Nissan Leaf vs 2013 Tesla Model S

2013 Chevrolet Volt

2013 Nissan Leaf

2013 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 S

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
LEAF 4-Door HB S	N/A	N/A	$26,986	$28,800
LEAF 4-Door HB SL	N/A	N/A	$32,635	$34,840
LEAF 4-Door HB SV	N/A	N/A	$29,810	$31,820

Select style

4-Door Sedan

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Model S 4-Door Sedan	N/A	N/A	N/A	$69,900
Model S 4-Door Sedan Performance	N/A	N/A	N/A	$89,900

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$37,579

$26,986

N/A

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$39,145

$28,800

$69,900

Monthly Payment Estimate

$652 / month

$480 / month

$1165 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.4

Read Our Full Review

7.8

Read Our Full Review

8.6

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

If you can afford it, the 2013 Chevrolet Volt is one of only a handful of plug-in hybrids on the market, and among the best.

The 2013 is the greenest car you can buy--if you can live with between 70 and 100 miles of driving range on a full battery charge.

The Tesla Model S is a revolutionary electric car that blends sporty handling and lots of space, with a range of battery sizes so buyers can choose (and pay for) only the range they need.

TCC Likes

Zero emissions, zero range anxiety
Sporty acceleration, quiet ride
Stylish, modern interior

World's highest-volume battery electric car
Striking, futuristic styling
Smooth, quiet electric motor

Sleek, attractive design
Lots of space for people, cargo
Hatchback offers versatility

TCC Dislikes

Styling not to everyone's taste
High-priced despite incentives
Premium fuel recommended

Real-world range of 50 to 80 miles
Numb, appliance-like steering and handling
Knees-up seating in rear seat

Tesla still has to survive
Touchscreen-only minor controls
Kids only as rearmost passengers

Fuel Economy

City

35 mpg

0 mpg

Highway

40 mpg

0 mpg

Vehicle

Number of Passenger Doors

EPA Classification

Compact Cars

Midsize

Interior Dimensions

Second Hip Room (in)

51.21

50.0

54.7

Front Shoulder Room (in)

56.52

54.3

57.7

Passenger Volume (ft³)

90.0

92.4

94.0

Second Head Room (in)

36.02

37.3

35.3

Second Shoulder Room (in)

53.90

52.5

55.0

Front Leg Room (in)

42.05

42.1

42.7

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

53.73

51.7

55.0

Second Leg Room (in)

34.10

33.3

35.4

Front Head Room (in)

37.80

41.2

38.8

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

61.20

60.6

65.4

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

6.3

6.0

Length, Overall (in)

177.10

175.0

196.0

Height, Overall (in)

56.64

61.0

56.5

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.10

60.4

66.9

Wheelbase (in)

105.70

106.3

116.5

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.40

69.7

77.3

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

10.6

- TBD -

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

24.0

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

30.0

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.50 x - TBD -

11.5 x 0.63

14.4 x 1.1

Brake Type

Regenerative

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.80 x - TBD -

11.14 x 1.1

14.0 x 1.3

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

9.3

Steering

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

15.4

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

36.00

34.1

37.0

Steering Type

Electric Pwr

Electric Rack-&-Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

2.80

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

36.1

N/A

Tires

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

Rear Tire Size

P215/55R17

P205/55R16

245/45R19

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3781

3256

4647

Wheels

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 x 7.0

16 x - TBD -

19 x - TBD -

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 x 7.0

16 x - TBD -

19 x - TBD -

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

- TBD -

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

- TBD -

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

273

187 @ - TBD -

325

Engine Order Code

LUU

EM61

Displacement

1.4L/85

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

149

107 @ - TBD -

362 @ 6000

Engine Type

Gas/Electric I4

Electric

Fuel System

Electronic Fuel Injection

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA MPG Equivalent - Combined

115

89 (2012)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

EPA MPG Equivalent - Hwy

102

90 (2012)

Battery Range (mi)

160

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA MPG Equivalent - City

101

129

88 (2012)

Transmission

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front wheel drive

Front Wheel Drive

Rear Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

- TBD -

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Order Code

MKA

RE1F61A

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

7.9377

- TBD -

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

- TBD -

9.73

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

Summary

Vehicle Name

Chevrolet Volt

Nissan LEAF

Tesla Model S

Body Style

Hatchback

4 Door Hatchback

Sedan

Suspension

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

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

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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