Nissan LEAF vs Tesla Model S: Specs Compared
Also searched as Tesla Model S vs Nissan LEAF specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Tesla Model S is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 124 mpg combined versus 121 mpg for the Nissan LEAF, a 3 mpg advantage and costs about $50 less per year to fuel.
Across 4 measured categories, the Tesla Model S leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Nissan LEAF | Tesla Model S |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 121 mpg | 124 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 131 mpg | 132 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 111 mpg | 116 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $650 | $600 ✓ |
| 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 | Large Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 26 | 62 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Nissan LEAF vs Tesla Model S dimensions and size
The Tesla Model S is 22 inches longer than the Nissan LEAF on a wheelbase 10.6 inches longer, and 756.2 lbs heavier. Both clear the roughly 200 inches of usable length in a standard single garage bay.
| Dimension | Nissan LEAF (2026) | Tesla Model S (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 173.6 in | 195.7 in | 22 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 71.3 in | 77.2 in | 5.9 in |
| Height | 61.4 in | 56.7 in | 4.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.9 in | 116.5 in | 10.6 in |
| Curb weight | 4,213 lbs | 4,969 lbs | 756 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 S: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Tesla Model S burns about $600 of fuel annually against $650 for the Nissan LEAF. That $50 yearly gap compounds to roughly $250 over five years and $400 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 S leads in both cycles — 132 mpg city and 116 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 S 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 Large Cars respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
LEAF vs Model S: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Nissan LEAF or the Tesla Model S?
The Tesla Model S is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 124 mpg combined versus 121 mpg for the Nissan LEAF, a 3 mpg advantage and costs about $50 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Tesla Model S runs about $600 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $650 for the Nissan LEAF — a difference of roughly $50 per year.
What engines do the LEAF and Model S offer?
Nissan LEAF: no engine data on record. Tesla Model S: no engine data on record.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Nissan LEAF as Midsize Cars and the Tesla Model S as Large Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More LEAF comparisons
More Model S comparisons
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