2012 Nissan Leaf vs 2012 Tesla Model S

2012 Nissan Leaf

2012 Tesla Model S

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

$35,668

N/A

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$37,250

$57,400

Monthly Payment Estimate

$621 / month

$957 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.8

Read Our Full Review

8.4

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

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

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

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

0 mpg

Highway

0 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Midsize

Number of Passenger Doors

Interior Dimensions

Second Hip Room (in)

50.0

54.7

Front Shoulder Room (in)

54.4

57.7

Passenger Volume (ft³)

98.3

94.0

Second Head Room (in)

37.3

35.3

Second Shoulder Room (in)

52.5

55.0

Front Leg Room (in)

42.1

42.7

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

51.5

55.0

Second Leg Room (in)

31.1

35.4

Front Head Room (in)

41.2

38.8

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

60.6

65.4

Min Ground Clearance (in)

6.3

6.0

Length, Overall (in)

175.0

196.0

Height, Overall (in)

61.0

56.5

Track Width, Rear (in)

60.4

66.9

Wheelbase (in)

106.3

116.5

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

69.7

77.3

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

24.0

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

14.5

Trunk Volume (ft³)

- TBD -

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.5 x 0.6

14.4 x 1.1

Brake Type

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.1 x 1.1

14.0 x 1.3

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

Steering

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

36.1

N/A

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

34.1

37.0

Steering Type

Electric Pwr

Electric Rack-&-Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

- TBD -

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P205/55R16

245/45R19

Spare Tire Size

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

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)

3401

4647

Wheels

Spare Wheel Material

Front Wheel Size (in)

16 x - TBD -

19 x - TBD -

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

16 x - TBD -

19 x - TBD -

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

207 @ - TBD -

325

Engine Order Code

EM61

Displacement

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

107 @ - TBD -

362 @ 6000

Engine Type

Electric

Fuel System

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA MPG Equivalent - Hwy

- TBD -

Battery Range (mi)

160 (Est)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

EPA MPG Equivalent - City

106

- TBD -

EPA MPG Equivalent - Combined

- TBD -

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Transmission

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

- TBD -

9.73

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Type

Drivetrain

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

RE1F61A

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

7.93

- TBD -

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

Summary

Vehicle Name

Nissan LEAF

Tesla Model S

Body Style

4 Door Hatchback

Sedan

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

N/A

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

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

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

- TBD -

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

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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