The 2012 Nissan Leaf now faces a pair of competing battery-electric vehicles, the Ford Focus Electric and the Mitsubishi i, with more on the way in future years.
The Focus Electric hatchback is likely to be sold in much smaller numbers than the Leaf, leading some to question Ford's commitment, and the Mitsubishi 'i' four-seat minicar is significantly smaller inside.
As for the Chevy Volt, its range-extending engine removes concerns over range anxiety but adds complexity, not to mention price--it's almost $5K more expensive than the Leaf.
The largest volume competitor to the Leaf may be the plug-in version of the iconic Toyota Prius hybrid that will go on sale early in 2012.
It offers an electric range of just 9 to 13 miles, after which it becomes a standard hybrid, but it may be the "safest" way to start plugging in for part of your driving, and it has the Prius name as a guarantee of security.
Among conventional hybrids, not only the standard Prius but also the Lexus CT 200h compact hybrid hatchback are roughly comparable to the Leaf range in size and price.
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 2012 Nissan LeafBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Chevrolet VoltBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Toyota PriusBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | ||
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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 Chevrolet Volt is the plug-in electric car you drive as far as you want--if you can find one to buy. |
The 2012 Toyota Prius remains the highest-mileage car offered in the U.S., and it's a practical and capacious mid-size hatchback with room for five |
| MSRP From | ||
| $35,200 | $39,145 | $23,015 |
| Gas Mileage | ||
| 35 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | 51 MPG City / 49 MPG Hwy | |
| Engine | ||
| Electric | Electric/Gas I4 | Gas/Electric I4 |
| EPA Class | ||
| Midsize | Compact Cars | Midsize Cars |
| Style Name | ||
| 4-Door HB SV | 5-Door HB | 5-Door HB One (Natl) |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front wheel drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | ||
| 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | ||
| N/A | 4 | N/A |
| Body Style | ||
| 4 Door Hatchback | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Transmission | ||
| Automatic | Automatic | Continuously Variable Ratio |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | ||
| 2012 Nissan Leaf vs. 2012 Chevrolet Volt | 2012 Nissan Leaf vs. 2012 Toyota Prius | |
