Volkswagen ID.3 vs Nissan Leaf: safety and reliability

Reliability of new models such as the ID.3 is tough to predict, but the Leaf has a strong reputation already

Volkswagen ID.3

The ID.3 hadn't been evaluated by the independent crash-test experts at Euro NCAP when we carried out this comparison, but it has since been awarded the maximum five-star score. The Nissan Leaf scored five stars in its own test in 2018.

The Leaf has loads of safety kit as standard, particularly in top-spec Tekna form. There's adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, blind-spot warning and automatic emergency braking. There’s also a 360-degree camera to help make parking easy.

Safety equipment on the ID.3 includes  a rear-view camera, automatic emergency braking with collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance and matrix LED headlights.

Volkswagen came 19th out of 30 brands ranked in the 2020 edition of the Driver Power car customer satisfaction survey, while Nissan was 11th. The Leaf has proven reliable over the years it has been on sale, but there’s no long-term data available for the relatively new ID.3 yet.

Richard is editor of DrivingElectric, as well as sister site Carbuyer.co.uk, and a regular contributor to Auto Express. An electric and hybrid car advocate, he spent more than five years working on the news and reviews desk at Auto Express and has driven almost every new car currently on sale.

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