Volkswagen ID.3 vs Nissan Leaf: verdict and specifications

The Volkswagen ID.3 feels like the next step for electric family car; the Nissan Leaf has now been left behind

The family car will change dramatically over the coming years, and the Volkswagen ID.3 – and to some extent, the Nissan Leaf – show where it’s going. These cars are super-quiet, comfortable and cheap to run. Crucially, they don’t produce tailpipe emissions, which will become more and more important as time goes by.

The Volkswagen is a look at the future, with its high-tech interior, comfortable and composed driving experience and super-fast charging, while the Nissan now seems like a ‘first look’ at electric-car technology that's falling behind newer products.

1st: Volkswagen ID.3

The ID.3 is quick, quiet, comfortable, full of technology and very cheap to run – all of which means it’s a superb family car. It has plenty of usable range, and with even longer-range variants coming soon, that point will get even better. It’s also really spacious for passengers and has lots of clever technology on board. It’s just a shame the interior isn’t higher quality, and we'd like a few more physical buttons on the dashboard.

2nd: Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf showed us what the future of the car would be when it first arrived, and this second-generation model improved the formula. It’s now feeling dated, though: the technology inside is lacking and it’s not as comfortable nor as good to drive as the Volkswagen. It’s cursed with a poor driving position and has less passenger space than its newest rival, too.

Specifications

CarVolkswagen ID.3 1ST PlusNissan Leaf e+ Tekna
List price£35,880£36,395
Monthly finance (PCP)£539£450
MotorSingle electric motorSingle electric motor
TransmissionSingle-speed, rear-wheel driveSingle-speed, front-wheel drive
Battery capacity (total / usable)62 / 58kWh62 / 56kWh
Power / torque201bhp / 310Nm214bhp / 340Nm
0-62mph7.3 seconds6.9 seconds
Top speed99mph98mph
100% charge cost at 14p/kWh£8.35£8.06
Charge time (socket/wallbox/50kW/100kW)9h 15m / 6h15m / 57m / 30m10h / 10h / 62m / 35m
Official electric range260 miles239 miles
On-test MPG / electric range203 miles207 miles
Road tax / BiK rate £0 / 0%£0 / 0%
Length / width / height / wheelbase4,261 / 1,568 / 1,809 / 2,770mm4,490 / 1,545 / 1,788 / 2,700mm
Boot capacity (seats up/down)385 / 1,267 Iitres420 / 1,176 litres

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