
The 2014 Nissan Leaf is a practical compact hatchback, but its main selling point is that it plugs in.
Its competitors with plugs include the Chevy Volt, which led it (barely) in sales during 2013.
The Volt has a range-extending engine that eliminates range anxiety after its battery delivers 38 miles or so of range, but the tradeoff is a higher price and four seats instead of five.
Two plug-in hybrids, the Ford C-Max Energi and Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, offer nominal electric ranges of 21 and 11 miles, respectively, in compact hatchback bodies.
The C-Max is nicer inside and performs better, but the Prius gets better gas mileage when it's depleted its (tiny) battery.
The Ford Focus Electric is also a five-door hatchback battery-electric model, but while it's available nationally, it sells in tiny numbers--seemingly because Ford doesn't really care about the car.
Finally, there's the Tesla Model S, which sells in numbers almost as high as the Leaf.
Its ranges (208 or 265 miles) are far higher than the Leaf's, but the price is twice as high.
The Tesla is a striking, fast, luxury electric car with an image that just can't be beat--but it comes at a price.
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Quick Specs | |||
The 2014 Nissan Leaf is the world's most popular battery electric car, and the greenest--but it can take time to get used to real-world ranges of 60 to 90 miles. |
Now in its third year, the 2014 Tesla Model S has no direct competitor. It remains the undisputed top choice in the growing world of plug-in electric cars, and there's a good case to be made that it's the most advanced car of any kind on the planet. |
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. | |
MSRP From | |||
$28,980 | $29,170 | $69,900 | $39,145 |
Gas Mileage | |||
35 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | |||
Engine | |||
Electric | Electric | Electric | Gas/Electric I4 |
EPA Class | |||
Mid-Size Cars | Compact Cars | Large Cars | Compact Cars |
Style Name | |||
4-Door HB S | 5-Door HB | 4-Door Sedan 60 kWh Battery | 5-Door HB |
Drivetrain | |||
Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Front wheel drive |
Passenger Capacity | |||
5 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Passenger Doors | |||
N/A | N/A | N/A | 4 |
Body Style | |||
Hatchback | Hatchback | Hatchback | Hatchback |
Transmission | |||
Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
Detailed Spec Comparison | |||
2014 Nissan Leaf vs. 2014 Ford Focus Electric | 2014 Nissan Leaf vs. 2014 Tesla Model S | 2014 Nissan Leaf vs. 2013 Chevrolet Volt |