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Citroën ë-C3 vs Nissan LEAF (2011-2017)
At a glance
In this comparison, Citroën ë-C3 counters with the lowest price, while the Nissan LEAF leads on value for money, family practicality and running costs.
Which should you choose?
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
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.1p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Nissan LEAF wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueNissan
Citroën
4.8
Nissan
5.6
FamilyNissan
Citroën
2.7
Nissan
6.7
Cost Per MileNissan
Citroën
3.4
Nissan
5.8
City Driving
Citroën
8
Nissan
7.7
Too close to call
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 | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £19,995 (better) | £25,990 |
| Official range | 134 miles (better) | 118 miles |
| Boot space | 310 L | 370 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 36 min | 30 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 11.6 sec | 11.5 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Citroën ë-C3
Nissan LEAF
Length
Citroën ë-C34,015mm-430mm
Nissan LEAF4,445mm
Width
Citroën ë-C31,755mm-15mm
Nissan LEAF1,770mm
Height
Citroën ë-C31,577mm
Nissan LEAF1,550mm-27mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,015 mm | 4,445 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,755 mm (better) | 1,770 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,030 mm |
| Height | 1,577 mm | 1,550 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.6 m | 10.4 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 645 mm spare (better) | 630 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 310 L | 370 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 720 L |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Citroën ë-C3
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 |  Citroën ë-C3 Urban Range |  Nissan LEAF Visia 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.01m | 4.45m+430mm |
| Width | 1.75m | 1.77m+15mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.03m |
| Height | 1.58m | 1.55m-27mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.54m | 2.70m+160mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 160mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 310L | 370L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 720L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.6m | 10.4m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,413kg (better) | 1,520kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 30kWh (better) | 24kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 134 mi (better) | 118 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 30kW | 50kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £19,995 (better) | £25,990 |
| Price after EV grant | £18,495 (-£1,500) | £25,990 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2024+ | 2011–2015 |
* Citroën ë-C3: Euro NCAP crash-safety rating not published. The vehicle has been assessed under the Green NCAP sustainability programme only.
* 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 | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 134 miles (better) | 118 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 94 miles (better) | 76 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 36 min | 30 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 30 kW | 50 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW (better) | 3.3 kW |
| Energy consumption | 165 Wh/km | 150 Wh/km (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 29.8 kWh (better) | 22 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LMO_NMC |
| Battery architecture | Not available | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 11.6 sec | 11.5 sec (better) |
| Power | 83 kW (better) | 80 kW |
| Torque | 120 Nm | 254 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.
Citroën ë-C3
Urban Range
Nissan LEAF
Visia 24kWh
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
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 - Citroën ë-C3 Urban Range
Citroën ë-C3 Urban Range
Euro NCAP crash-safety rating not published. The vehicle has been assessed under the Green NCAP sustainability programme only.
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 | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,000 km | 160,000 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Citroën ë-C3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Nissan LEAF
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nissan LEAF worth the extra £5,995 over the Citroën ë-C3?
The Nissan LEAF costs £5,995 more than the Citroën ë-C3. For that premium it adds 60 litres more boot space and lower energy use, 150 versus 165 Wh/km. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Nissan LEAF comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Citroën ë-C3 or the Nissan LEAF?
The Citroën ë-C3 is £5,995 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £168 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Citroën ë-C3 comes out roughly £5,915 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Citroën ë-C3 and Nissan LEAF like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 94 miles for the Citroën ë-C3 and 76 miles for the Nissan LEAF - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Citroën ë-C3 goes roughly 18 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 30-36 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Citroën ë-C3 or the Nissan LEAF?
The two are within 15 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 645 mm of total clearance for the Citroën ë-C3 and about 630 mm of total clearance for the Nissan LEAF.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Citroën ë-C3 or the Nissan LEAF?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the Citroën ë-C3 and 65% for the Nissan LEAF. That gives the Citroën ë-C3 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Citroën ë-C3's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Nissan LEAF's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. 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
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Citroën ë-C3 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 Citroën ë-C3 and Nissan LEAF rank among the best family EVsWhere the Citroën ë-C3 and Nissan LEAF rank among EVs under £30,000Where the Citroën ë-C3 and Nissan LEAF rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Citroën ë-C3 and Nissan LEAF rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Citroën ë-C3 and Nissan LEAF rank among the best city EVsWhere the Citroën ë-C3 and Nissan LEAF rank among the cheapest EVs to run
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
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 .