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Nissan LEAF vs Polestar 2
Selected trimEngageChange trim375 mi · 75 kWh · £35,999
Selected trimStandard range Single motorChange trim344 mi · 70 kWh · £45,210
At a glance
In this comparison, Nissan LEAF leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed, while the Polestar 2 stays competitive across the board.
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 want the lowest running costs - from just 1.7p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
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.
Value
Nissan
6.3
Polestar
6.2
Too close to call
Motorway RangeNissan
Nissan
8.4
Polestar
4.7
FamilyNissan
Nissan
8.3
Polestar
6
ChargingNissan
Nissan
7
Polestar
4.1
Cost Per MileNissan
Nissan
9.4
Polestar
6
City DrivingNissan
Nissan
6.7
Polestar
4.9
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Polestar 2
Standard range Single motor
- 30 kW faster rapid charging
- 40 kW more power
- 1.2s quicker 0-62 mph
- 525 kg more towing capacity
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFEngage | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £35,999 (better) | £45,210 |
| Official range | 375 miles (better) | 344 miles |
| Boot space | 437 L (better) | 407 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | 26 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 7.6 sec | 6.4 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
View:
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Nissan LEAF
Polestar 2
Length
Nissan LEAF4,350mm-256mm
Polestar 24,606mm
Width
Nissan LEAF1,810mm-49mm
Polestar 21,859mm
Height
Nissan LEAF1,550mm
Polestar 21,479mm-71mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFEngage | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,350 mm | 4,606 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,810 mm (better) | 1,859 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,098 mm | 1,985 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,550 mm | 1,479 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.8 m (better) | 11.5 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 590 mm spare (better) | 541 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFEngage | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 437 L (better) | 407 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1052 L | 1097 L (better) |
| Frunk | Not available | 41 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 975 kg | 1,500 kg (better) |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
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.
Polestar 2
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Nissan LEAF Engage |  Polestar 2 Standard range Single motor |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.35m | 4.61m+256mm |
| Width | 1.81m | 1.86m+49mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.10m | 1.99m-113mm |
| Height | 1.55m | 1.48m-71mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.69m | 2.73m+45mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 151mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 437L (better) | 407L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1052L | 1097L (better) |
| Frunk | Not available | 41L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.8m (better) | 11.5m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,883kg (better) | 1,995kg |
| Towing Capacity | 975kg | 1,500kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 75kWh (better) | 70kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 375 mi (better) | 344 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW | 180kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £35,999 (better) | £45,210 |
| Price after EV grant | £32,249 (-£3,750) | £45,210 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Saloon |
| Available | 2025+ | 2024+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFEngage | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 375 miles (better) | 344 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 313 miles (better) | 231 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 26 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW | 180 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 149 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 75 kWh (better) | 70 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | Not available | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard (better) | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFEngage | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.6 sec | 6.4 sec (better) |
| Power | 160 kW | 200 kW (better) |
| Torque | 355 Nm | 490 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Nissan LEAF
Engage
Polestar 2
Standard range Single motor
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Nissan LEAF
All 3 videos
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 | Nissan LEAFEngage | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £8,295 | £21,999 |
| Average used price | £8,295 | £24,883 |
| Saving vs RRP | £27,704 below new | £20,327 below new |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 3% over ~6 months | Up 1% 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 Engage
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant93%
Child Occupant86%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist71%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Polestar 2 Standard range Single motor
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant93%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users80%
Safety Assist83%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFEngage | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | Not available | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Nissan LEAF
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Polestar 2
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Nissan LEAF
No active listings.
Polestar 2
- £27,7662024Car360View
- £21,9992024Browns of RichmondView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Polestar 2 worth the extra £9,211 over the Nissan LEAF?
The Polestar 2 costs £9,211 more than the Nissan LEAF. For that premium it adds 30 kW faster peak rapid charging, 40 kW more power and a 1.2s quicker 0-62mph time. The Nissan LEAF is not just cheaper - it also offers 31 miles more WLTP range. 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 Polestar 2?
The Nissan LEAF is £9,211 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 £9,331 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 Polestar 2 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 313 miles for the Nissan LEAF and 231 miles for the Polestar 2 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Nissan LEAF goes roughly 81 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 26-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Nissan LEAF or the Polestar 2?
The Nissan LEAF is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 49 mm narrower than the Polestar 2. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 590 mm of total clearance for the Nissan LEAF and about 541 mm of total clearance for the Polestar 2. The Nissan LEAF also turns in a 0.7 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 Polestar 2?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Nissan LEAF and 90% for the Polestar 2. That gives the Polestar 2 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Polestar 2'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.
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 Polestar 2 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 Polestar 2 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Nissan LEAF and Polestar 2 rank among long-range EVsWhere the Nissan LEAF and Polestar 2 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Nissan LEAF and Polestar 2 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Nissan LEAF and Polestar 2 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Nissan LEAF and Polestar 2 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .