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Hyundai Ioniq 3 vs Nissan LEAF
Selected trimEngageChange trim375 mi · 75 kWh · £35,999
At a glance
In this comparison, Hyundai Ioniq 3 leads on value for money and city driving, while the Nissan LEAF leads on motorway range.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Hyundai Ioniq 3 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the Nissan LEAF if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Hyundai Ioniq 3 edges ahead overall, but it's close - check which categories matter most to you.
ValueHyundai
Hyundai
7.2
Nissan
6.3
Motorway RangeNissan
Hyundai
4.7
Nissan
8.4
Family
Hyundai
8.2
Nissan
8.3
Too close to call
Charging
Hyundai
7
Nissan
7
Too close to call
Cost Per Mile
Hyundai
9.5
Nissan
9.4
Too close to call
City DrivingHyundai
Hyundai
8.3
Nissan
6.7
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Nissan LEAF
Engage
- 162 miles more WLTP range
- 31 kW faster rapid charging
- 52 kW more power
- 1.2s quicker 0-62 mph
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Hyundai Ioniq 3Advance 42kWh | Nissan LEAFEngage |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £22,245 (better) | £35,999 |
| Official range | 213 miles | 375 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 441 L (better) | 437 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 29 min (better) | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 8.8 sec | 7.6 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Hyundai Ioniq 3
Nissan LEAF
Length
Hyundai Ioniq 34,155mm-195mm
Nissan LEAF4,350mm
Width
Hyundai Ioniq 31,800mm-10mm
Nissan LEAF1,810mm
Height
Hyundai Ioniq 31,505mm-45mm
Nissan LEAF1,550mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Hyundai Ioniq 3Advance 42kWh | Nissan LEAFEngage |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,155 mm | 4,350 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,800 mm (better) | 1,810 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,100 mm | 2,098 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,505 mm | 1,550 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.4 m (better) | 10.8 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 600 mm spare (better) | 590 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Hyundai Ioniq 3Advance 42kWh | Nissan LEAFEngage |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 441 L (better) | 437 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1213 L (better) | 1052 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 750 kg | 975 kg (better) |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Hyundai Ioniq 3
- 3rd-largest boot among hatchback EVs in our catalogue at 441 L.
- Eligible for the full £3,750 UK Electric Car Grant, one of 7 hatchback EVs we track that qualifies for the top band.
- Peak DC charging of 119 kW, faster than 90% of hatchback EVs in our catalogue.
Nissan LEAF
- 375 mile WLTP range, longer than 100% of hatchback EVs we track.
- Eligible for the full £3,750 UK Electric Car Grant, one of 7 hatchback EVs we track that qualifies for the top band.
- At 4,350 mm, longer than 90% of hatchback EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Hyundai Ioniq 3 Advance 42kWh |  Nissan LEAF Engage |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.16m | 4.35m+195mm |
| Width | 1.80m | 1.81m+10mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.10m | 2.10m-2mm |
| Height | 1.50m | 1.55m+45mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.68m | 2.69m+10mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 441L (better) | 437L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1213L (better) | 1052L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.4m (better) | 10.8m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,550kg (better) | 1,883kg |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg | 975kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 42.2kWh | 75kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 213 mi | 375 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 119kW | 150kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £22,245 (better) | £35,999 |
| Price after EV grant | £18,495 (-£3,750) (better) | £32,249 (-£3,750) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2026+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Hyundai Ioniq 3Advance 42kWh | Nissan LEAFEngage |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 213 miles | 375 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 178 miles | 313 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 29 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 119 kW | 150 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 42.2 kWh | 75 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | Not available | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not available | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Hyundai Ioniq 3Advance 42kWh | Nissan LEAFEngage |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8.8 sec | 7.6 sec (better) |
| Power | 108 kW | 160 kW (better) |
| Torque | 250 Nm | 355 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Hyundai Ioniq 3
Advance 42kWh
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Nissan LEAF
Engage
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Nissan LEAF Engage
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant93%
Child Occupant86%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist71%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Buying options
Get a quote
Hyundai Ioniq 3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Nissan LEAF
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nissan LEAF worth the extra £13,754 over the Hyundai Ioniq 3?
The Nissan LEAF costs £13,754 more than the Hyundai Ioniq 3. For that premium it adds 162 miles more WLTP range, 31 kW faster peak rapid charging and 52 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Hyundai Ioniq 3 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Hyundai Ioniq 3 or the Nissan LEAF?
The Hyundai Ioniq 3 is £13,754 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £136 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Hyundai Ioniq 3 comes out roughly £13,754 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Hyundai Ioniq 3 and Nissan LEAF like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 178 miles for the Hyundai Ioniq 3 and 313 miles for the Nissan LEAF - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Nissan LEAF goes roughly 135 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 29-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Hyundai Ioniq 3 or the Nissan LEAF?
The two are within 10 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 600 mm of total clearance for the Hyundai Ioniq 3 and about 590 mm of total clearance for the Nissan LEAF. The Hyundai Ioniq 3 also turns in a 0.4 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Hyundai Ioniq 3 comparisons
More Nissan LEAF comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Hyundai Ioniq 3 and Nissan LEAF rank among EVs eligible for the full grantWhere the Hyundai Ioniq 3 and Nissan LEAF rank among the cheapest EVs after the grantWhere the Hyundai Ioniq 3 and Nissan LEAF rank among the best family EVsWhere the Hyundai Ioniq 3 and Nissan LEAF rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Hyundai Ioniq 3 and Nissan LEAF rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Hyundai Ioniq 3 and Nissan LEAF rank among the best city EVs
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .