Nissan LEAF vs Tesla Model 3: Specs Compared
Also searched as Tesla Model 3 vs Nissan LEAF specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Tesla Model 3 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 142 mpg combined versus 121 mpg for the Nissan LEAF, a 21 mpg advantage and costs about $100 less per year to fuel.
Across 4 measured categories, the Tesla Model 3 leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Nissan LEAF | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 121 mpg | 142 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 131 mpg | 150 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 111 mpg | 133 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $650 | $550 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | Not available | Not available |
| Engines offered | Not available | Not available |
| Transmissions | Automatic (A1) | Automatic (A1) |
| Drivetrains | Front-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Electricity | Electricity |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars | Midsize Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2017–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 26 | 42 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Nissan LEAF vs Tesla Model 3 dimensions and size
The Tesla Model 3 is 12.2 inches longer than the Nissan LEAF on a wheelbase 7.5 inches longer, and 183 lbs lighter. Both clear the roughly 200 inches of usable length in a standard single garage bay.
| Dimension | Nissan LEAF (2026) | Tesla Model 3 (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 173.6 in | 185.8 in | 12.2 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 71.3 in | 72.8 in | 1.6 in |
| Height | 61.4 in | 56.7 in | 4.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.9 in | 113.4 in | 7.5 in |
| Curb weight | 4,213 lbs | 4,030 lbs | 183 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Nissan LEAF vs Tesla Model 3: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Tesla Model 3 burns about $550 of fuel annually against $650 for the Nissan LEAF. That $100 yearly gap compounds to roughly $500 over five years and $800 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City and highway economy: the Tesla Model 3 leads in both cycles — 150 mpg city and 133 mpg highway against 131 and 111 mpg — so its fuel-efficiency advantage holds whether you commute in traffic or cover long highway miles.
Drivetrain and class: the Nissan LEAF is offered with Front-Wheel Drive, the Tesla Model 3 with All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Midsize Cars and Midsize Cars respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
LEAF vs Model 3: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Nissan LEAF or the Tesla Model 3?
The Tesla Model 3 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 142 mpg combined versus 121 mpg for the Nissan LEAF, a 21 mpg advantage and costs about $100 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Tesla Model 3 runs about $550 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $650 for the Nissan LEAF — a difference of roughly $100 per year.
What engines do the LEAF and Model 3 offer?
Nissan LEAF: no engine data on record. Tesla Model 3: no engine data on record.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Nissan LEAF and the Tesla Model 3 as Midsize Cars, so they compete directly.
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