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BMW i3 (94Ah) vs Nissan LEAF (2011-2017)
Selected trim94Ah · 2016-18158 mi · 33.2 kWh · £33,070
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i3 leads on motorway range, charging speed and running costs, while the Nissan LEAF leads on value for money and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i3 (94Ah) if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the Nissan LEAF (2011-2017) if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW i3 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueNissan
BMW
3.5
Nissan
5.6
Motorway RangeBMW
BMW
3.3
Nissan
2.6
FamilyNissan
BMW
4.9
Nissan
6.7
ChargingBMW
BMW
3.5
Nissan
2.4
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
8.1
Nissan
5.8
City DrivingBMW
BMW
9.1
Nissan
7.7
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £33,070 | £25,990 (better) |
| Official range | 158 miles (better) | 118 miles |
| Boot space | 260 L | 370 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 28 min (better) | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 11.5 sec |
Size Comparison
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BMW i3
Nissan LEAF
Length
BMW i34,006mm-439mm
Nissan LEAF4,445mm
Width
BMW i31,775mm
Nissan LEAF1,770mm-5mm
Height
BMW i31,598mm
Nissan LEAF1,550mm-48mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,006 mm | 4,445 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,775 mm | 1,770 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,999 mm (better) | 2,030 mm |
| Height | 1,598 mm | 1,550 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.9 m (better) | 10.4 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 625 mm spare | 630 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 260 L | 370 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1100 L (better) | 720 L |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW i3
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Nissan LEAF
- At 4,445 mm, longer than 95% of hatchback EVs we track.
- 2,700 mm wheelbase, longer than 80% of hatchback EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i3 94Ah |  Nissan LEAF Visia 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.01m | 4.45m+439mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.77m-5mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.00m | 2.03m+31mm |
| Height | 1.60m | 1.55m-48mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.57m | 2.70m+130mm |
| Ground Clearance | 160mm | 160mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 260L | 370L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1100L (better) | 720L |
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.9m (better) | 10.4m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,300kg (better) | 1,520kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 33.2kWh (better) | 24kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 158 mi (better) | 118 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW | 50kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £33,070 | £25,990 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2016–2018 | 2011–2015 |
* Nissan LEAF: NEDC figure — WLTP testing was not available for this model year
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 158 miles (better) | 118 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 104 miles (better) | 76 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 28 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW | 50 kW |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW (better) | 3.3 kW |
| Energy consumption | 136 Wh/km (better) | 150 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 27.2 kWh (better) | 22 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LMO_NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 11.5 sec |
| Power | 125 kW (better) | 80 kW |
| Torque | 250 Nm | 254 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW i3 94Ah
Tested 2013
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant82%
Vulnerable Road Users57%
Safety Assist55%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Nissan LEAF Visia 24kWh
Tested 2011
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant83%
Vulnerable Road Users65%
Safety Assist84%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km (better) | 160,000 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
BMW i3
94Ah
Owners love
- Excellent efficiency and range for a compact EV, with owners achieving 115-143 miles on electric power and 250+ miles combined with Range Extender
- Innovative, well-engineered design with lightweight carbon fiber construction and clever packaging that feels spacious inside despite compact exterior
- Fun, responsive driving dynamics with excellent handling, strong regenerative braking enabling one-pedal driving, and rear-wheel-drive traction
Watch out for
- Winter heating system significantly reduces real-world range by 20-25%, making 60Ah models marginal for UK winter commuting
- Range Extender adds weight causing tail-heavy handling, reduces overall efficiency to ~36mpg, makes unpleasant engine noise, and requires regular fuel use for engine maintenance
- High-voltage component failures (EME/inverter) reported in some cases with extremely expensive repairs (£10,000+) unavailable outside BMW dealers
Owner tips
- Choose 94Ah battery over 60Ah for significantly better winter range and usability; target 2016+ model year for improved reliability, ideally 2018+ for LED headlights
- Install home 7kW charging and use smart tariffs like Octopus Go for cost-effective daily charging; use InstaVolt or Osprey for reliable public rapid charging
Nissan LEAF
Visia 24kWh
Owners love
- Excellent value for money as a used purchase, with strong reliability over time and minimal maintenance needs beyond tires and wipers
- Very cheap to run with low electricity costs (1-2.5p per mile on off-peak tariffs) and zero vehicle excise duty, recovering purchase price through fuel savings in 3-4 years
- Smooth, quiet, and refined driving experience with instant torque providing surprisingly responsive acceleration from standstill
Watch out for
- Battery degradation is a significant concern on early models, with some owners losing multiple capacity bars within months or years; air-cooled batteries lack thermal management
- Limited real-world range of 50-120 miles makes the Leaf unsuitable as a sole vehicle for longer journeys, requiring careful trip planning and multiple charging stops
- Winter range significantly reduced by 20-30% due to heating demands and cold battery chemistry, sometimes dropping below 70 miles
Owner tips
- Always check actual battery state of health (SOH) using LeafSpy OBD2 diagnostic tool before purchase rather than relying on dashboard bar display or dealer assessments, which can be misleading
- Target 2013+ generation models with mechanical foot brakes, heat pumps, and 6.6kW chargers; prioritize 30kWh batteries over 24kWh for better warranty (8 years vs 5 years) and realistic range
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Nissan LEAF
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i3 worth the extra £7,080 over the Nissan LEAF?
The BMW i3 costs £7,080 more than the Nissan LEAF. For that premium it adds 40 miles more WLTP range, 45 kW more power and a 4.2s quicker 0-62mph time. The Nissan LEAF is not just cheaper - it also offers 110 litres more boot space and 1 more seat (5 versus 4). On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BMW i3 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i3 or the Nissan LEAF?
The Nissan LEAF is £7,080 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £152 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Nissan LEAF comes out roughly £7,000 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW i3 and Nissan LEAF like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 104 miles for the BMW i3 and 76 miles for the Nissan LEAF - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BMW i3 goes roughly 28 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 28-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i3 or the Nissan LEAF?
The two are within 5 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 630 mm of total clearance for the Nissan LEAF and about 625 mm of total clearance for the BMW i3. The BMW i3 also turns in a 0.5 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i3 or the Nissan LEAF?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 87% battery health for the BMW i3 and 65% for the Nissan LEAF. That gives the BMW i3 a modest edge in retained real-world range. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
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See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW i3 and Nissan LEAF rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW i3 and Nissan LEAF rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i3 and Nissan LEAF rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i3 and Nissan LEAF rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i3 and Nissan LEAF rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the BMW i3 and Nissan LEAF rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
If neither is quite right
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Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .