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BMW iX1 vs Nissan LEAF
Selected trimEngageChange trim375 mi · 75 kWh · £35,999
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW iX1 stays competitive across the board, while the Nissan LEAF leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Nissan LEAF if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you have a family - it has the best combination of boot space, safety, and rear legroom
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Nissan LEAF leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
BMW
6.4
Nissan
6.3
Too close to call
Motorway RangeNissan
BMW
5.9
Nissan
8.4
FamilyNissan
BMW
7.4
Nissan
8.3
ChargingNissan
BMW
4.1
Nissan
7
Cost Per Mile
BMW
9.3
Nissan
9.4
Too close to call
City DrivingNissan
BMW
4.6
Nissan
6.7
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Nissan LEAF
Engage
- £1,066 cheaper
- 55 miles more WLTP range
- 1.0s quicker 0-62 mph
- 1.1 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Nissan LEAFEngage |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £37,065 | £35,999 (better) |
| Official range | 320 miles | 375 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 490 L (better) | 437 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 29 min (better) | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 8.6 sec | 7.6 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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BMW iX1
Nissan LEAF
Length
BMW iX14,500mm
Nissan LEAF4,350mm-150mm
Width
BMW iX11,845mm
Nissan LEAF1,810mm-35mm
Height
BMW iX11,616mm
Nissan LEAF1,550mm-66mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Nissan LEAFEngage |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,500 mm | 4,350 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,845 mm | 1,810 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,104 mm | 2,098 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,616 mm | 1,550 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.9 m | 10.8 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 555 mm spare | 590 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Nissan LEAFEngage |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 490 L (better) | 437 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1495 L (better) | 1052 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 975 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW iX1
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Nissan LEAF
- 375 mile WLTP range, longer than 100% of hatchback EVs we track.
- Eligible for the full £3,750 UK Electric Car Grant, one of 8 hatchback EVs we track that qualifies for the top band.
- At 4,350 mm, longer than 90% of hatchback EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW iX1 eDrive20 Sport |  Nissan LEAF Engage |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.50m | 4.35m-150mm |
| Width | 1.84m | 1.81m-35mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.10m | 2.10m-6mm |
| Height | 1.62m | 1.55m-66mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.69m | 2.69m-2mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 490L (better) | 437L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1495L (better) | 1052L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.9m | 10.8m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,883kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 975kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 64.7kWh | 75kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 320 mi | 375 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 130kW | 150kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £37,065 | £35,999 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £33,315 (-£3,750) | £32,249 (-£3,750) (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Hatchback |
| Available | 2023+ | 2025+ |
* BMW iX1: 11 kW AC is standard; 22 kW AC was an option.
* BMW iX1: Rating from the BMW X1 (2022), which covers the iX1. An extra pole test on the iX1 showed weak chest protection, without changing the stars.
* BMW iX1: Current figure, after a March 2026 efficiency update. Earlier cars: xDrive30 259-270 miles WLTP, eDrive20 268-296 miles WLTP.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Nissan LEAFEngage |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 320 miles | 375 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 267 miles | 313 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 29 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 130 kW | 150 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 64.7 kWh | 75 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Standard | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Nissan LEAFEngage |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8.6 sec | 7.6 sec (better) |
| Power | 150 kW | 160 kW (better) |
| Torque | 247 Nm | 355 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
BMW iX1
eDrive20 Sport
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Nissan LEAF
Engage
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
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Nissan LEAFEngage |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £23,250 | £8,295 |
| Average used price | £25,220 | £8,295 |
| Saving vs RRP | £11,845 below new | £27,704 below new |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 13.8% over ~6 months | Down 3% over ~6 months |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
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 iX1 eDrive20 Sport
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist92%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Nissan LEAF Engage
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant93%
Child Occupant86%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist71%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | Nissan LEAFEngage |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | Not available |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | Not available |
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW iX1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Nissan LEAF
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW iX1
- £23,7132023Car360View
- £23,2502023Browns of RichmondView
- £25,4492023Browns of RichmondView
Nissan LEAF
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW iX1 worth the extra £1,066 over the Nissan LEAF?
The BMW iX1 costs £1,066 more than the Nissan LEAF. For that premium it adds 53 litres more boot space. The Nissan LEAF is not just cheaper - it also offers 55 miles more WLTP range and a 1.0s quicker 0-62mph time. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Nissan LEAF comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW iX1 or the Nissan LEAF?
The Nissan LEAF is £1,066 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £136 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 £1,066 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 iX1 and Nissan LEAF like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 267 miles for the BMW iX1 and 313 miles for the Nissan LEAF - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Nissan LEAF goes roughly 46 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 29-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW iX1 or the Nissan LEAF?
The Nissan LEAF is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 35 mm narrower than the BMW iX1. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 590 mm of total clearance for the Nissan LEAF and about 555 mm of total clearance for the BMW iX1. The Nissan LEAF also turns in a 1.1 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW iX1 or the Nissan LEAF?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW iX1 and 84% for the Nissan LEAF. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation.
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
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More BMW iX1 comparisons
More Nissan LEAF comparisons
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 iX1 and Nissan LEAF rank among EVs eligible for the full grantWhere the BMW iX1 and Nissan LEAF rank among the cheapest EVs after the grantWhere the BMW iX1 and Nissan LEAF rank among the best family EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Nissan LEAF rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW iX1 and Nissan LEAF rank among long-range EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and Nissan LEAF rank among the best motorway EVs
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 .