10 Nissan Leaf Competitors to Consider

2018 Nissan Leaf ・ Photo by Nissan

Nissan brought electric vehicles into the mainstream when it released the original Leaf EV in 2011. The Leaf is now the best-selling electric car in history with over 360,000 on the road worldwide. The 2019 Nissan Leaf offers 150 miles of range, and the new 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus can travel up to 226 miles on a charge. Even better, the Leaf Plus brings 214 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque compared to 147 horsepower and 236 pound-feet in the basic Leaf.

The 2019 Nissan Leaf starts at $29,990 and the Leaf Plus at $36,550. Both are extremely attractive vehicles, but what else is available on the market? If you’re giving serious thought to an EV, we have 10 competitors to the Nissan Leaf for you to consider.

2019 Chevrolet Bolt

The 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV offers 238 miles of range, and our highway and city street testing backs that up. The Bolt is a compact four-door hatchback that sells for $36,620 before a $7,500 federal tax credit that applies to most fully electric cars today. The Bolt has a nice economy car interior and a great tech package with a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen display. Chevy’s infotainment system supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and you can create a Wi-Fi hotspot inside the car.

The Bolt’s electric motor is rated at 200 system horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. In real-world terms, the Bolt is quick from a stop and has plenty of power to pass. The stopwatch says the Bolt will do zero to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds.

Photo by Chevrolet

2019 Kia Niro Electric

The 2019 Kia Niro Electric is brand new for 2019 and expected to go on sale shortly. The Niro is another compact four-door hatchback electric. Kia says it’s a crossover, and we won’t argue the point. The Niro is rated to travel up to 240 miles on a full charge. Final pricing has not yet been released, but we expect it to be about the same as similar electrics from other brands.

The Niro’s electric motor is rated at 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque, so it should have the same exciting performance as the Nissan LEAF Plus or the Chevrolet Bolt. Looking at Kia’s photos, the Niro looks great on the outside and carries a tech-inspired interior that is sure to be popular. 

Photo by Kia

2019 Fiat 500e

The 2019 Fiat 500e is a two-door subcompact EV with the same body as the gas-powered FIAT 500. This little electric offers seating for four passengers and a generously sized hatch for cargo. The motor is less powerful, rated at 111 horsepower and 147 pound-feet of torque, but the 500e is light enough that performance is still good.

A full charge will allow the 500e to travel 84 miles, which isn’t up to the current generation’s standard. However, the 500e is affordable and great for urban dwellers with shorter commutes. The 500e also has a great selection of technology and comfort features, such as GPS navigation, heated seats, and satellite radio. Pricing for the 500e starts at $33,210.

Photo by FIAT

2019 BMW i3

The 2019 BMW i3 is a real change from standard gas-powered BMW cars. It’s not just the two-door subcompact exterior that looks like something out of science fiction. Inside, you’ll find a sparse, modern high-tech design that you might just love. Wood accents complement the open, expansive feeling of the cabin.

The total electric range of the i3 is about 114 miles. However, you can order the optional range-extender gasoline engine that recharges the battery as you drive. If you get the extender, the total range of the i3 is 180 miles. BMW’s electric motor is rated at 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, so you will still get good performance out of this EV. The 2019 BMW i3 starts at $44,450.

Photo by BMW

2019 Honda Clarity Electric

The 2019 Honda Clarity Electric is the third Clarity vehicle from Honda. A hybrid and a California-only hydrogen fuel cell version were released previously. All Clarity models are mid-size four-door sedans. The Clarity Electric is rated for 89 miles of range, which is lower than most new EVs. However, the Clarity can take an 80% charge in just 30 minutes using DC Fast Charging. This will allow the Clarity to recharge most of its range during an average grocery store visit.

Clarity provides comfortable seating for five adults and a large trunk. Honda also packs a lot of technology into the Clarity, including an 8-inch touchscreen display supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Clarity Electric sells for $36,620.

Photo by Honda

2019 Hyundai Kona EV

The 2019 Hyundai Kona EV is the latest electric to hit the market. Like the closely related Kia Niro, Hyundai’s compact four-door hatchback crossover EV can travel up to 258 miles on a full charge. The Kona is available only with front-wheel drive, and its electric motor offers 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque for excellent on-road performance.

Family-friendly safety features like blind-spot monitoring and a forward collision warning are included as standard equipment on every Kona EV. The most basic Kona EV trim retails for $36,450, placing it within budget for many families. Higher luxury trims with leather, LED headlights, and a head-up display cost up to $44,650.

Photo by Hyundai

2019 Tesla Model 3

The 2019 Tesla Model 3 is an all-electric four-door compact sedan. This is one of the most exciting EVs, with available all-wheel drive and potential range of up to 325 miles. When equipped with the dual-motor AWD system, the Model 3 can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 3.2 seconds, besting many gas-powered supercars.

The Model 3 is also safe, with a five-star safety rating from NHTSA. Tesla includes full radar coverage for collision avoidance. The interior is unique, featuring one 15-inch tablet-style display in the center of the dash. The base 2019 Tesla Model 3 starts at $39,500 for 240 miles of range, increases to $49,500 for the Long Range version with 310 miles of range, and can cost up to $59,500 for the high-performance edition with 310 miles of range.

Photo by Tesla

2019 Audi e-tron

The 2019 Audi e-tron is Audi’s first foray into fully electric vehicles. The company had previously issued a 2018 Audi A3 e-tron hybrid, but don’t confuse the two. The new e-tron is an all-electric luxury crossover that’s a bit bigger than a compact. Audi has not yet stated the final range figures, but with a 95-kWh battery, the e-tron is expected to achieve 200 miles or more on a full charge.

The e-tron can deliver up to 402 horsepower, rocketing this EV from 0-60 in 5.5 seconds. Audi has developed a motor that can create a momentary boost of power for quick acceleration. The e-tron is an all-wheel-drive SUV with electric motors at the front and rear axles. The 2019 Audi e-tron retails starting at $74,800.

Photo by Audi

2019 Hyundai Ioniq EV

The 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Electric is Hyundai’s all-electric four-door compact hatchback. The new EV joins a hybrid and plug-in hybrid in the Ioniq lineup. The Ioniq Electric is rated at 118 horsepower and 218 pound-feet of torque, and has a standard range of 124 miles. All Ioniq Electric models support DC Fast Charge capability, which will substantially recharge the battery in about 30 minutes.

The Ioniq offers a great interior at its price point. Heated front seats are standard equipment on all Ioniq EV models, and the Limited trim includes leather and a sunroof. Infotainment comes from a 7-inch touchscreen interface in the standard model and an 8-inch screen in the Limited. The 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Electric retails for $30,315, and the Limited trim for $36,815.

Photo by Hyundai

2019 Volkswagen e-Golf

The 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf is Volkswagen’s sporty EV offering. The e-Golf motor is rated at 134 horsepower and 214 pound-feet of torque, so it’s not the fastest option. However, the e-Golf still offers one of the best-handling EV experiences on the market. The e-Golf will travel up to 125 miles on a full charge.

The 2019 e-Golf is also affordable, starting at $31,895, and if you get the SEL Premium trim at $38,895, the e-Golf comes with adaptive cruise control, automatic climate control, and onboard navigation. The e-Golf will be VW’s last EV based on a vehicle originally designed for a gas engine. The company will have a new all-EV chassis platform soon, but it's not here yet.

Photo by Volkswagen