With Electric Vehicles (EVs) continuing to grow in popularity, there are several choices to consider when exploring alternative fuel vehicles. Two exciting electric vehicles are the relatively new Kia Niro EV with its Plug-In Hybrid options, alongside the veteran Nissan Leaf. These two cars are fairly standard and act as excellent introductory electric vehicles that perform with astounding versatility. But which one is more worth your time and money?

Kia Niro Breakdown

The Kia Niro is relatively new to the EV scene and only has a few fully electric models. More than likely, you will need to explore new options rather than a limited pool of preowned vehicles when considering the Niro. The Niro comes in three flavors: a hybrid model with regenerative braking technology, a plug-in hybrid that functions as a pseudo-electric vehicle, and the premier EV model. For this comparison, we will look exclusively at the EV models, as the Leaf only has an EV option. For the EV Kia Niro, it comes with the following:

• New Starting Price: $39,550 MSRP
• Range: 253 Miles on a full charge
• Motor: 201 Horsepower & 188 lb-ft of torque Electric Drive
• Displays:25-inch Digital Instrument Display and 10.25-inch Touchscreen Display w/ Navigation, Kia Connect, and SiriusXM® Satellite Radio
• Charging Time: Around 7 hours on a standard DC outlet.

Nissan Leaf Breakdown:

The Leaf is a veteran of the EV market and has been around since the 2011 model year. Each iteration of the Leaf has improved upon the last, and it proudly stands as the most affordable EV available in the US. There are two distinct models of the Leaf, with the Plus adding more range and features for a slight bump in price. Essential specifications of the Nissan Leaf are:

• New Starting Price: $28,040 MSRP for the standard model and $36,040 MSRP for the Plus.
• Standard Motor: 147 horsepower with 236 lb-ft of torque
• Plus Motor: 214 horsepower with 250 lb-ft of torque
• Range: 149 miles on standard and up to 212 miles on the Plus with a full charge.
• Displays: 7-inch gauge cluster and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
• Charging Time: Around 8 hours on a standard outlet and around 40 minutes on a fast charger.

Final Comparison

Both vehicles seat five and have a relatively similar interior style. The Niro can store more and has larger cargo space thanks to its crossover design, while the Leaf is a smaller hatchback. In terms of performance, the Leaf Plus is equal to or greater than the Niro, although the standard Leaf model flags a bit in the speed and range department. Price-wise, the Niro is far and away the more expensive model, without much to incentivize the price gap, with the Leaf Plus being roughly $3,000 cheaper than the base Niro EV.

So, which is better? While neither is perfect for everyone, the Leaf Plus, with its decent range and low price tag, is our choice for the better EV. Further, if you are searching for a smaller, 'city driver' kind of vehicle, the standard model of the Leaf is the best price for a new EV. It doesn't try to be flashy, trading functionality for form, yet performs well for routine day-to-day activities and home charging at night.

Winner: Nissan Leaf

Test Drive A New Or Preowned Nissan Leaf At Charlie Clark Nissan

Charlie Clark Nissan of Brownsville connects you to a brand-new or preowned Nissan Leaf EV. Call us at (956) 303-8234 to schedule a test drive or see our wide assortment of Nissan vehicles available online.

The Nissan LEAF was the first mass-market EV ever to be put into production. Since its introduction in 2010, Nissan has gone on to sell over half a million LEAF vehicles, globally. It’s estimated that LEAF drivers have driven well over five billion environmentally friendly miles all over the planet.

The Nissan LEAF has always been a premier EV vehicle that scores highly in the ‘value’ department, but because of the cost of a brand-new Nissan LEAF, many customers have had to settle for a preowned vehicle. Nissan has announced that it intends to increase the accessibility of the latest model of the LEAF by lowering its MSRP. In addition, qualified LEAF buyers may be able to claim a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 for purchasing a new, environmentally friendly vehicle. The federal tax credit though is only eligible for the base model of the LEAF, the ‘S’ trim.

For Sheer Value in Electric Vehicles, it is Hard to Beat the 2022 Nissan LEAF

The latest release of the LEAF has a 40 KWh battery and a 110-kW motor that delivers 137 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. It is available in both ‘S’ and ‘SV’ trims and has a range of just under 150 miles. The LEAF PLUS has an increased capacity 63 KWh battery and a 160-kW motor that delivers 214 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. The larger battery increases the range of the LEAF to 226 miles and is available in three trims: ‘S PLUS’, ‘SV PLUS’ and ‘SL PLUS’.

The LEAF is a multi-award-winning vehicle. In April 2021, Autotrader included the Nissan LEAF within its list of the ‘ten best EVs for 2021’. All cars selected for consideration had to meet the following criteria: being priced under $75,000; having a plug or the capability to run solely on electricity for at least fifteen miles, and to have been available to the public to buy before November 2021.

Describing the LEAF, Autotrader said "Now in its second generation, it's still a strong contender on the more affordable side of EVs. The styling is sleek, the interior is roomy, and the base price is within reach of a wide range of shoppers."

The Kelley Blue Book Has Also Handed the Nissan LEAF an Admired Accolade

The Kelley Blue Book (KBB) is a trusted source of information for people looking to purchase any kind of automobile and has been since 1926. The KBB annually gives out ‘5-Year Cost to Own’ awards, and in 2021 the Nissan LEAF has been in receipt of an award. The award is giving to vehicles that the KBB ascertains give the most value to owners over a five-year period. It is the fourth year running that the Nissan LEAF has won the award for the EV category.

"Choosing a car with low ownership costs can help shoppers save a significant amount of money over time – often several hundred and sometimes even thousands of dollars – so it’s worthwhile to research the cost to own details of any new car you’re considering,” said Eric Ibara, director of KBB.

If you want value from your EV vehicle, then you should certainly look no further than a Nissan LEAF, and you should look no further than the Charlie Clark Nissan showroom in Brownsville. We without fail have an outstanding selection of Nissan LEAF vehicles available for purchase, both new and pre-owned.

Check out our up-to-the-minute inventory online and see if there is a vehicle available that interests you, then contact us for more information. You can contact us at (956) 303-1726 or through our online contact form.