The 2013 Nissan Leaf competes with a variety of plug-in cars, both battery electric and plug-in hybrid models.
It is most often compared to the 2013 Chevrolet Volt, which last year outsold it more than 2 to 1.
The Volt's range-extending engine eliminates the Leaf's range anxiety, but adds complexity--and the Volt is now much more expensive than the Leaf.
There's also the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, with a low 6-to-11-mile electric range but the Prius reputation of security for owners taking their first plug-in plunge.
Both the Ford Focus Electric and the much smaller Mitsubishi i-MiEV sold less than a tenth of what the Leaf did last year, and do not have as much support from their makers as the Leaf does from Nissan.
Finally, there's the Tesla Model S, now in production and offering two to four times the electric range, though at prices starting at double those of the Leaf and going up from there.
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 2013 Nissan LeafBrowse Used Listings |  2013 Chevrolet VoltBrowse Used Listings |  2013 Ford Focus ElectricBrowse Used Listings |  2013 Tesla Model SBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEVBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | ||||
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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. |
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 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. | ||
| MSRP From | ||||
| $28,800 | $39,145 | $39,200 | $69,900 | $29,125 |
| Gas Mileage | ||||
| 35 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | ||||
| Engine | ||||
| Electric | Gas/Electric I4 | Electric | Electric | Electric |
| EPA Class | ||||
| Midsize | Compact Cars | Compact | NA | Subcompact car |
| Style Name | ||||
| 4-Door HB S | 5-Door HB | 5-Door HB | 4-Door Sedan | 4-Door HB ES |
| Drivetrain | ||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front wheel drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | ||||
| 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Passenger Doors | ||||
| N/A | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Body Style | ||||
| 4 Door Hatchback | Hatchback | Hatchback | Sedan | 4 Door Sedan |
| Transmission | ||||
| Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | NA | Automatic |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | ||||
| 2013 Nissan Leaf vs. 2013 Chevrolet Volt | 2013 Nissan Leaf vs. 2013 Ford Focus Electric | 2013 Nissan Leaf vs. 2013 Tesla Model S | 2013 Nissan Leaf vs. 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV | |
