Comparison
Nissan Leaf vs Tesla Model 3
S+ vs Premium RWD: range, price, charging, running costs and road-trip stops.
Best range Tesla Model 3 363 mi vs 303 mi
Best value Nissan Leaf $29,990 vs $42,490
Faster charging Nissan Leaf 35 min vs 36 min
5-yr energy Tesla Model 3 $4,300 vs $3,850
Winner by category
6 categories comparedRange winner
Tesla Model 3
363 mi vs 303 mi
Value winner
Nissan Leaf
$99/mi vs $117/mi
Charging winner
Nissan Leaf
35 min vs 36 min
Efficiency winner
Tesla Model 3
250 Wh/mi vs 278 Wh/mi
Utility/family winner
Tesla Model 3
Ahead on seats, cargo, and tow capacity
Performance winner
Tesla Model 3
4.9 s vs 7.2 s
Side-by-side comparison
Featured trims| Spec | Nissan Leaf | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Trim used | S+ | Premium RWD |
| MSRP (USD) | $29,990 (better) | $42,490 |
| Range | 303 mi | 363 mi (better) |
| Efficiency | 278 Wh/mi • 3.6 mi/kWh | 250 Wh/mi • 4 mi/kWh (better) |
| Battery (usable) | 75 kWh | 82 kWh (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
| Body type | Hatchback | Sedan |
| DC max | 150 kW | 208 kW (better) |
| AC max | 7 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| 10–80% (DC) | 35 min (better) | 36 min |
| Roadtrip score | 68.6 | 79.1 (better) |
| Miles added (15 min est.) | 81 mi | 96 mi (better) |
| USD per mile of range | 99 $/mi (better) | 117 $/mi |
| 0–60 mph | 7.2 s | 4.9 s (better) |
| Top speed | 99 mph | 125 mph (better) |
| Cargo | 15 cu ft | 21 cu ft (better) |
| Tow rating | 2,150 lb | 2,205 lb (better) |
Pick the Nissan Leaf if…
- You want the lower price: $29,990 vs $42,490 to start, $12,500 less.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if…
- You drive long days: 363 vs 303 miles of rated range.
- You want lower running costs: about $3,850 vs $4,300 in energy over 5 years.
- You haul gear: 21 vs 15 cu ft of listed cargo space.
- You care about acceleration: 0-60 mph in 4.9 vs 7.2 seconds.
- You want to use Tesla Superchargers without an adapter: it has a native NACS port.
5-year energy cost: Nissan Leaf vs Tesla Model 3
| Charging mix | Nissan Leaf | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | 278 Wh/mi | 250 Wh/mi |
| All home charging | $3,150 | $2,850 |
| 80% home, 20% public DC | $4,300 | $3,850 |
| All public DC fast charging | $8,900 | $8,000 |
60,000 miles (12,000 a year) at rated efficiency, $0.17/kWh at home, $0.48/kWh at public fast chargers, plus 10% charging loss. A 30 mpg gas car at $3.20/gal would spend about $6,400 on fuel over the same miles. Use your own rates.
500-mile road trip: charging stops
| Nissan Leaf | Tesla Model 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| First leg (90% to 10%) | 206 mi | 247 mi |
| Each leg after a 10-80% stop | 180 mi | 216 mi |
| Fast-charge stops | 2 | 2 |
| Time spent charging | about 70 min | about 70 min |
| DC port | CHAdeMO | NACS |
Highway range taken as 85% of rated range. Each stop is counted as a full 10-80% session at the listed time, so the last stop is often shorter in practice. Cold weather and high speeds add stops. Charging time calculator.
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