2012 Nissan Leaf vs 2012 Toyota RAV4

2012 Nissan Leaf

2012 Toyota RAV4

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

4WD 4-Door I4

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
RAV4 4WD 4-Door I4	21	27	$22,487	$24,050
RAV4 4WD 4-Door I4 Limited	21	27	$24,982	$26,720
RAV4 4WD 4-Door I4 Sport	21	27	$24,077	$25,750
RAV4 4WD 4-Door V6	19	26	$24,390	$26,085
RAV4 4WD 4-Door V6 Limited	19	26	$26,788	$28,650
RAV4 4WD 4-Door V6 Sport	19	26	$25,882	$27,680
RAV4 FWD 4-Door I4	22	28	$21,178	$22,650
RAV4 FWD 4-Door I4 Limited	22	28	$23,684	$25,330
RAV4 FWD 4-Door I4 Sport	22	28	$22,768	$24,350
RAV4 FWD 4-Door V6	19	27	$23,081	$24,685
RAV4 FWD 4-Door V6 Limited	19	27	$25,479	$27,250
RAV4 FWD 4-Door V6 Sport	19	27	$24,573	$26,280
RAV4 EV FWD 4-Door	N/A	N/A	$47,808	$49,800

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$35,668

$22,487

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$37,250

$24,050

Monthly Payment Estimate

$621 / month

$401 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.8

Read Our Full Review

6.8

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 unlikely Toyota-Tesla partnership has produced what may just be the best battery-electric vehicle below Tesla's own Model S luxury sedan. Its power, 100 miles of real-world range, and interior space add up to a very appealing electric crossover.

TCC Likes

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

Fast, quiet, smooth electric power
Real-world range of 100 miles--or more
Superb dash displays, touchscreen controls

TCC Dislikes

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

Very limited in production
Most expensive RAV4 by far
Unknown battery durability

Fuel Economy

City

0 mpg

21 mpg

Highway

0 mpg

27 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Midsize

Sport Utility Vehicle

Interior Dimensions

Second Head Room (in)

37.3

39.7

Second Shoulder Room (in)

52.5

55.3

Front Leg Room (in)

42.1

41.8

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

51.5

53.8

Second Leg Room (in)

31.1

38.3

Front Head Room (in)

41.2

40.8

Second Hip Room (in)

50.0

52.4

Front Shoulder Room (in)

54.4

57.1

Passenger Volume (ft³)

98.3

108.2

Third Leg Room (in)

Third Hip Room (in)

Third Head Room (in)

Third Shoulder Room (in)

Exterior Dimensions

Min Ground Clearance (in)

6.3

7.5

Length, Overall (in)

175.0

181.9

Height, Overall (in)

61.0

66.3

Track Width, Rear (in)

60.4

61.4

Wheelbase (in)

106.3

104.7

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

69.7

71.5

Track Width, Front (in)

60.6

61.4

Rear Door Opening Height (in)

- TBD -

Rear Door Opening Width (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

14.5

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

24.0

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

36.4

Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

73.0

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)

Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)

- TBD -

Brakes

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.5 x 0.6

11.2 x - TBD -

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

10.8 x - TBD -

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

15.9

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

34.1

34.8

Steering Type

Electric Pwr

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

- TBD -

2.7

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

36.1

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

- TBD -

14.6

Tires

Front Tire Size

P205/55R16

P215/70R16

Spare Tire Size

P215/70R16

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P205/55R16

P215/70R16

Rear Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

150

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1500

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3401

3494

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

16 x 6.5

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Rear Wheel Size (in)

16 x - TBD -

16 x 6.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

16 x - TBD -

16 x 6.5

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

7.2

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

- TBD -

Engine

Displacement

2.5L/152

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

107 @ - TBD -

179 @ 6000

Engine Type

Electric

Gas I4

Fuel System

SFI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

207 @ - TBD -

172 @ 4000

Engine Order Code

EM61

Mileage

Battery Range (mi)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

EPA MPG Equivalent - City

106

EPA MPG Equivalent - Combined

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA MPG Equivalent - Hwy

Transmission

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Four Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

- TBD -

3.14

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.20

Trans Order Code

RE1F61A

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

7.93

3.08

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.02

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

- TBD -

3.94

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.41

Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), High

- TBD -

Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), Low

- TBD -

Summary

Body Style

4 Door Hatchback

4 Door

Vehicle Name

Nissan LEAF

Toyota RAV4

Suspension

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

1.00

Suspension Type - Rear

Torsion Beam

Double-wishbone

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Coil spring

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

MacPherson strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

0.87

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

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

7.8

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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