Nissan Leaf vs. BMW i3: which is better?
Electric hatchbacks are some of the most popular cars, and we compare two of the best as the BMW i3 meets the Nissan Leaf
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The Nissan Leaf is often credited with being one of the first mainstream electric cars, but the BMW i3 has also been around since 2013.
This means that you can find used examples of these cars that are just as cheap as petrol- and diesel-powered cars, so electric motoring needn’t be so expensive.
It’s worth noting that there has only been one version of the BMW i3, which went off sale in 2022. Nissan has produced two generations of the Leaf, and both offer rather distinctive propositions.
Styling: BMW i3 vs. Nissan Leaf
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One piece of criticism that both of these cars took when they launched was that they stood out as being electric cars – their styling wasn’t like anything else around at the time.
That said, both cars still look good inside and out, which shows that they were ahead of their time in the mid-2010s.
The BMW arguably has the most distinctive styling. It’s a short car with short overhangs because the wheels have been placed into the outermost corners of the car. It’s also quite tall, more than 14cm taller than a BMW 1 Series hatchback.
Another peculiar feature about the i3 is that the rear doors are hinged at the rear, which means they open in the opposite direction to regular car doors. You also need to open the front doors to be able to open them, but you get the benefit of a very wide opening that makes getting into the back less challenging.
By comparison, the Nissan Leaf is more conventional-looking. There are some telltale signs that it’s an electric car, however, such as the bonnet and headlight design, which is designed to make it more aerodynamic and efficient.
The second-generation Leaf has a similar design but it’s a lot more angular, whereas the first-generation model has a more soft and curvy design.
What are the Nissan Leaf and BMW i3 like to drive?
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Neither is particularly quick compared to modern-day electric cars, but thanks to the instant response you get from an electric motor, they feel much quicker than a regular petrol car.
In its later years, the i3 was able to get to 62mph in just over seven seconds thanks to around 170hp, depending on the model, but earlier versions had less power.
The same’s true of the Leaf, which in its earlier years produced 108hp. The second-generation model has either 150hp or 218hp, which makes it quicker than the fastest i3.
Because neither car is geared toward performance, both are best driven calmly where they are at their most efficient.
The lack of any engine noise makes them quiet, but you can sometimes hear more tyre or wind noise because of this. They’re generally a calmer place to be than similar petrol-powered hatchbacks.
Interior and technology: Nissan Leaf vs. BMW i3
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Depending on which version you get, both cars have the option of large touchscreens with plenty of car tech.
The BMW i3 is reasonably well equipped as standard, but you’ll have to go for a higher trim to get luxuries in the Nissan Leaf. This shouldn’t be a problem, because it’s generally cheaper than a similar-aged i3.
Even though early examples are now reaching more than 10 years old at the time of writing (October 2023), you can still expect handy things like a reversing camera and keyless entry, depending on the trim.
It’s worth noting that the Leaf uses a CHAdeMO connector to charge at high speed. It’s one of the few cars to use this connector in the UK, so there are fewer CHAdeMO-compatible chargers when it comes to doing longer journeys.
The BMW i3 uses a CCS connector, which has become a European standard these days.
Many other electric cars have higher charging speeds, but because the i3 and Leaf have relatively small batteries, they won’t take long to top up.
Is it more practical to have a BMW i3 or Nissan Leaf in the UK?
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The Nissan Leaf is similar in size to a Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus, so there’s room for up to three in the back.
Early models have a 370-litre boot and second-generation models have a larger 435-litre boot, which is much more space than the VW ID.3 (385 litres).
Space in the BMW i3 is a little more cramped, and there are only two seats in the back. Headroom is sufficient thanks to its boxy shape, but legroom isn’t as good.
It also has a much smaller boot. At 260 litres, it’s even smaller than a Ford Fiesta or Vauxhall Corsa.
Deciding between the two really comes down to whether you often find yourself carrying lots of people and equipment. If that’s not the case, then both cars are just as appealing.
As a side note, some BMW i3s were sold in ‘Range Extender’ form, which meant they had a small petrol engine that powered the battery when it was running low. This helps reduce charging stops on a long journey, but few buyers chose this option and it wasn’t available for a long time, so finding one of these might be harder.
Nissan Leaf vs. BMW i3 reliability and safety
Because the Leaf is one of the earliest mainstream electric cars, we have a lot of data on it. During its time on sale, it’s proven to be a very reliable car, with even consumable parts being cheap to replace.
The BMW has also scored well in reliability tests, as does the brand in general. The car’s ‘iDrive’ infotainment system is one of the most comprehensive and it’s easy to use, which has been a selling point of all BMWs for several years.
Owners may notice a difference when it comes to replacing parts, which can be slightly more expensive than average.
Despite its large alloy wheels, the i3 has very narrow tyres to help it maximise efficiency, which means they’re not as expensive as some other EVs to replace.
Both cars come with a three-year warranty, but the Nissan has a 60,000-mile cap, whereas BMW doesn’t impose a mileage limit.
The i3 received a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating, while both versions of the Nissan Leaf were awarded the full five stars.
What are the Nissan Leaf and BMW i3 dimensions?
Despite being significantly longer, the earlier versions of the Nissan Leaf aren’t too much wider or taller than the BMW i3. The first-generation Leaf measures 1,770mm wide and 1,550mm high, but it’s 4,445mm long.
Similarly, the BMW i3 is 1,775mm wide and 1,578mm high, but it’s much shorter at 3,999mm long. For reference, the i3 is around 5-10cm shorter than superminis like the Ford Fiesta.
The latest version of the Leaf is bigger than the previous one – it’s 4,490mm long and 1,812mm wide, but slightly shorter at 1,545mm.
BMW i3 vs. Nissan Leaf: which should you buy?
If you’re struggling to choose between earlier versions of the cars, both can offer similar electric ranges and are reasonably well-equipped compared to similarly-aged petrol and diesel cars.
For something edging on sporty, choose the i3, but for something more practical as a family motor, go for the Leaf.
If you have a higher budget and the second-generation Nissan Leaf is within budget, we think this offers the best balance of performance, practicality and usability.