Loading comparison
Kia e-Niro vs Nissan LEAF (2018-2023)
At a glance
The Kia e-Niro was replaced by the Kia Niro EV in 2022. Compare the Kia Niro EV with the Nissan LEAF
In this comparison, Kia e-Niro leads on running costs and city driving, while the Nissan LEAF leads on value for money and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Kia e-Niro if...
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.1p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the Nissan LEAF (2018-2023) 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 Nissan LEAF leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueNissan
Kia
0
Nissan
6
FamilyNissan
Kia
3.7
Nissan
7.7
Cost Per MileKia
Kia
5.1
Nissan
2.7
City DrivingKia
Kia
7.1
Nissan
6.6
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 | Kia e-Niro2 | Nissan LEAFAcenta 40kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Not available | £26,490 |
| Official range | 180 miles (better) | 168 miles |
| Boot space | 451 L (better) | 435 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 40 min |
| 0-62 mph | 9.8 sec | 7.9 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Kia e-Niro
Nissan LEAF
Length
Kia e-Niro4,375mm-105mm
Nissan LEAF4,480mm
Width
Kia e-Niro1,805mm
Nissan LEAF1,788mm-17mm
Height
Kia e-Niro1,570mm
Nissan LEAF1,540mm-30mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Kia e-Niro2 | Nissan LEAFAcenta 40kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,375 mm | 4,480 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,805 mm | 1,788 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,030 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,540 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.6 m | 10.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 595 mm spare | 612 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Kia e-Niro2 | Nissan LEAFAcenta 40kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 451 L (better) | 435 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 1176 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Kia e-Niro
- Uses 153 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 80% of SUVs we track.
- At 4,375 mm, shorter than 80% of SUVs in our UK catalogue.
Nissan LEAF
- At 4,480 mm, longer than 100% of hatchback EVs we track.
- Boot space of 435 L is bigger than 85% of hatchback EVs we track.
- 2,700 mm wheelbase, longer than 80% of hatchback EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Kia e-Niro 2 |  Nissan LEAF Acenta 40kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.38m | 4.48m+105mm |
| Width | 1.80m | 1.79m-17mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.03m |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.54m-30mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.70m |
| Ground Clearance | 155mm | 155mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 451L (better) | 435L |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 1176L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.6m | 10.6m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,667kg | 1,580kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 39.2kWh | 40kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 180 mi (better) | 168 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW | 50kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | Not available | £26,490 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Hatchback |
| Available | 2019–2022 | 2018–2023 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Kia e-Niro2 | Nissan LEAFAcenta 40kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 180 miles (better) | 168 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 126 miles (better) | 109 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 40 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW | 50 kW |
| Home AC charging | 7.2 kW (better) | 6.6 kW |
| Energy consumption | 153 Wh/km (better) | 171 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 39.2 kWh (better) | 36 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | 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 | Kia e-Niro2 | Nissan LEAFAcenta 40kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 9.8 sec | 7.9 sec (better) |
| Power | 100 kW | 110 kW (better) |
| Torque | 395 Nm (better) | 320 Nm |
| 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.
Kia e-Niro
2
Nissan LEAF
Acenta 40kWh
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
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | Kia e-Niro2 | Nissan LEAFAcenta 40kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £14,495 | £7,500 |
| Average used price | £15,045 | £10,290 |
| Recent used-price trend | Broadly flat | Down 16.4% 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 - Nissan LEAF Acenta 40kWh
Tested 2018
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 | Kia e-Niro2 | Nissan LEAFAcenta 40kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 7 years | 8 years (better) |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 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.
Kia e-Niro
2
Owners love
- Very efficient, with owners commonly seeing 4 miles per kWh or more and 250 miles or so from a charge in mild weather
- Little or no battery degradation reported, even on high-mileage and taxi cars
- Comfortable, quiet and easy to live with, with a high seating position and wide-opening doors
Watch out for
- A minority of cars develop a whining or rattling motor and reduction-gear bearing noise, usually fixed under warranty but sometimes with long waits for parts
- The boot is smaller than the crossover shape suggests
- Range drops by around 30% in winter and noticeably at motorway speeds
Owner tips
- Listen for whining, rattling or ticking from the drivetrain on the test drive
- Check the service history is complete (every 12 months or 10,000 miles) to keep the warranty valid
Nissan LEAF
Acenta 40kWh
Owners love
- Impressive acceleration and responsive performance with instant torque, competitive with petrol cars at traffic lights
- Excellent e-Pedal one-pedal driving system improves efficiency and provides engaging, intuitive control
- Low running costs with cheap electricity (2-3p per mile) and minimal servicing compared to traditional vehicles
Watch out for
- Severe thermal throttling on rapid charging ('rapidgate') limits subsequent charges to 15-20kW after initial charge, making long trips impractical
- Limited range in winter conditions (30% reduction or more) and poor motorway efficiency reduce usability for longer journeys
- Outdated infotainment system and aged interior design with cheap plastics feel downmarket compared to newer competitors
Owner tips
- Install a 7kW home charger for daily use rather than relying on rapid charging—this avoids thermal throttling and preserves battery health
- Use smart electricity tariffs like Octopus Go for cheap overnight charging (5p/kWh or less) to minimize running costs
Buying options
Get a quote
Kia e-Niro
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Nissan LEAF
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Kia e-Niro
No active listings.
Nissan LEAF
- £9,8972022Car360View
- £7,7992019Cars2View
- £8,7502022Cars2View
Frequently asked questions
What are the Kia e-Niro and Nissan LEAF like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 126 miles for the Kia e-Niro and 109 miles for the Nissan LEAF - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Kia e-Niro goes roughly 17 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Kia e-Niro or the Nissan LEAF?
The two are within 17 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 612 mm of total clearance for the Nissan LEAF and about 595 mm of total clearance for the Kia e-Niro.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Kia e-Niro or the Nissan LEAF?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 86% battery health for the Kia e-Niro and 76% for the Nissan LEAF. That gives the Kia e-Niro 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. The Nissan LEAF has the longer battery warranty at 8 years, versus 7 for the Kia e-Niro.
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 Kia e-Niro 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 Kia e-Niro and Nissan LEAF rank among the best family EVsWhere the Kia e-Niro and Nissan LEAF rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Kia e-Niro and Nissan LEAF rank among the best city EVsWhere the Kia e-Niro and Nissan LEAF rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Kia e-Niro and Nissan LEAF rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Kia e-Niro and Nissan LEAF rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
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.
Guide
Buying a Used Kia e-Niro or Niro EV: Which Is Which, Range, Warranty & What to Check
A used Kia e-Niro (2019-2022) and Niro EV (2022-on) buyer’s guide: telling them apart, 39 vs 64 kWh, trims, Kia’s 7-year warranty, drivetrain noise, heat pump, recalls, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Nissan Leaf (2018-2024): Battery Health, Warranty, Range & What to Check
A used Nissan Leaf buyer’s guide for the 40 kWh and e+ (2018-2024): checking battery health and the capacity bars, the battery guarantee by model year, heat pump by trim, CHAdeMO charging, recalls, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .