2016 Nissan Leaf vs. Its Competition

John Voelcker

The 2016 Nissan Leaf is by far the world's most popular electric car, though in its sixth year, competitors often best it in specific areas.

Still, it remains a smart, well-developed package, and by far the most widely distributed battery-electric car in the country.

Its strongest competition among battery-electric cars may be the smaller but much higher-tech BMW i3, with its optional range-extending engine—though at 82 or 73 miles of the range, the BMWs have fallen behind the Leaf.

The Ford Focus Electric is a much closer package, but its 76-mile range and 3.3-kw charger handicap it.

Then there's the amazing Tesla Model S, with higher ranges but a price that starts at more than twice that of a base Leaf S.

This year's new Chevy Volt has a much longer electric range of 53 miles, and a quieter, more powerful engine to eliminate recharging stops and range anxiety—we think it'll be strong competition, though it costs more than all but a top-level Leaf.

Finally, Ford C-Max Energi offers a nominal electric range of 18 miles in a tall, compact hatchback body and is nicer inside than the Leaf.

It also performs better, but its cargo capacity is compromised by its battery pack under the load bay.