Loading comparison
Nissan LEAF (2011-2017) vs Vauxhall Combo Life (2021-2024)
Selected trim50kWh · 2021-24174 mi · 50 kWh · £34,110
At a glance
In this comparison, Nissan LEAF leads on family practicality, running costs and city driving, while the Vauxhall Combo Life leads on charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Nissan LEAF (2011-2017) if...
- 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
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the Vauxhall Combo Life (2021-2024) if...
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Nissan LEAF leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
Nissan
5.6
Vauxhall
5.3
Too close to call
FamilyNissan
Nissan
6.7
Vauxhall
5.4
ChargingVauxhall
Nissan
2.4
Vauxhall
3.8
Cost Per MileNissan
Nissan
5.8
Vauxhall
2.1
City DrivingNissan
Nissan
7.7
Vauxhall
5.4
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Vauxhall Combo Life
50kWh
- 56 miles more WLTP range
- 405 litres more boot space
- 50 kW faster rapid charging
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh | Vauxhall Combo Life50kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £25,990 (better) | £34,110 |
| Official range | 118 miles | 174 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 370 L | 775 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 11.5 sec (better) | 11.7 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Nissan LEAF
Vauxhall Combo Life
Length
Nissan LEAF4,445mm
Vauxhall Combo Life4,410mm-35mm
Width
Nissan LEAF1,770mm-151mm
Vauxhall Combo Life1,921mm
Height
Nissan LEAF1,550mm-262mm
Vauxhall Combo Life1,812mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh | Vauxhall Combo Life50kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,445 mm | 4,410 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,770 mm (better) | 1,921 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,030 mm (better) | 2,107 mm |
| Height | 1,550 mm | 1,812 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.4 m (better) | 10.8 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 630 mm spare (better) | 479 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh | Vauxhall Combo Life50kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 370 L | 775 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 720 L | 2130 L (better) |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
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.
Vauxhall Combo Life
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Nissan LEAF Visia 24kWh |  Vauxhall Combo Life 50kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.45m | 4.41m-35mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.92m+151mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.03m | 2.11m+77mm |
| Height | 1.55m | 1.81m+262mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.79m+85mm |
| Ground Clearance | 160mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 370L | 775L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 720L | 2130L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.4m (better) | 10.8m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,520kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 24kWh | 50kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 118 mi | 174 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW | 100kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £25,990 (better) | £34,110 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | MPV |
| Available | 2011–2015 | 2021–2024 |
* 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 | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh | Vauxhall Combo Life50kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 118 miles | 174 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 76 miles | 145 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW | 100 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 3.3 kW | 7.4 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 150 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 22 kWh | 50 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LMO_NMC | 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 | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh | Vauxhall Combo Life50kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 11.5 sec (better) | 11.7 sec |
| Power | 80 kW | 100 kW (better) |
| Torque | 254 Nm | 270 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | 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 - Nissan LEAF Visia 24kWh
Tested 2011
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant83%
Vulnerable Road Users65%
Safety Assist84%
Euro NCAP - Vauxhall Combo Life 50kWh
Tested 2018
Adult Occupant91%
Child Occupant81%
Vulnerable Road Users58%
Safety Assist68%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh | Vauxhall Combo Life50kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,000 km | 160,934 km (better) |
Buying options
Get a quote
Nissan LEAF
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Vauxhall Combo Life
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Vauxhall Combo Life worth the extra £8,120 over the Nissan LEAF?
The Vauxhall Combo Life costs £8,120 more than the Nissan LEAF. For that premium it adds 56 miles more WLTP range, 50 kW faster peak rapid charging and 405 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Nissan LEAF comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Nissan LEAF or the Vauxhall Combo Life?
The Nissan LEAF is £8,120 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 Nissan LEAF comes out roughly £8,240 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Nissan LEAF and Vauxhall Combo Life like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 76 miles for the Nissan LEAF and 145 miles for the Vauxhall Combo Life - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Vauxhall Combo Life goes roughly 69 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 30-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Nissan LEAF or the Vauxhall Combo Life?
The Nissan LEAF is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 151 mm narrower than the Vauxhall Combo Life. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 630 mm of total clearance for the Nissan LEAF and about 479 mm of total clearance for the Vauxhall Combo Life. The Nissan LEAF also turns in a 0.4 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Nissan LEAF or the Vauxhall Combo Life?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 65% battery health for the Nissan LEAF and 84% for the Vauxhall Combo Life. That gives the Vauxhall Combo Life 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
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Nissan LEAF comparisons
More Vauxhall Combo Life 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 Nissan LEAF and Vauxhall Combo Life rank among the best family EVsWhere the Nissan LEAF and Vauxhall Combo Life rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Nissan LEAF and Vauxhall Combo Life rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Nissan LEAF and Vauxhall Combo Life rank among the best city EVsWhere the Nissan LEAF and Vauxhall Combo Life rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Nissan LEAF and Vauxhall Combo Life rank among EVs with the biggest boots
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 .