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Nissan LEAF (2011-2017) vs Toyota Urban Cruiser
Selected trimStandard RangeChange trim213 mi · 49 kWh · £28,495
At a glance
In this comparison, Nissan LEAF leads on family practicality, while the Toyota Urban Cruiser leads on motorway range and running costs.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Nissan LEAF (2011-2017) if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
Choose the Toyota Urban Cruiser if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Toyota Urban Cruiser edges ahead overall, but it's close - check which categories matter most to you.
Value
Nissan
5.6
Toyota
5.5
Too close to call
Motorway RangeToyota
Nissan
2.6
Toyota
4
FamilyNissan
Nissan
6.7
Toyota
4.5
Cost Per MileToyota
Nissan
5.8
Toyota
6.9
City Driving
Nissan
7.7
Toyota
8
Too close to call
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh | Toyota Urban CruiserStandard Range |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £25,990 (better) | £28,495 |
| Official range | 118 miles | 213 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 370 L (better) | 310 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 11.5 sec | 9.6 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Nissan LEAF
Toyota Urban Cruiser
Length
Nissan LEAF4,445mm
Toyota Urban Cruiser4,285mm-160mm
Width
Nissan LEAF1,770mm-30mm
Toyota Urban Cruiser1,800mm
Height
Nissan LEAF1,550mm-85mm
Toyota Urban Cruiser1,635mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh | Toyota Urban CruiserStandard Range |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,445 mm | 4,285 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,770 mm (better) | 1,800 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,030 mm (better) | 2,065 mm |
| Height | 1,550 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.4 m | 10.4 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 630 mm spare (better) | 600 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh | Toyota Urban CruiserStandard Range |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 370 L (better) | 310 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 720 L (better) | 566 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 750 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Nissan LEAF
- At 4,445 mm, longer than 95% of hatchback EVs we track.
- 2,700 mm wheelbase, longer than 80% of hatchback EVs we track.
Toyota Urban Cruiser
- At 4,285 mm, shorter than 85% of SUVs in our UK catalogue.
- 10.4 m turning circle, tighter than 85% of SUVs in our database.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Nissan LEAF Visia 24kWh |  Toyota Urban Cruiser Standard Range |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.45m | 4.29m-160mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.80m+30mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.03m | 2.06m+35mm |
| Height | 1.55m | 1.64m+85mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.70m |
| Ground Clearance | 160mm | 180mm+20mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 370L (better) | 310L |
| Boot (seats down) | 720L (better) | 566L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.4m | 10.4m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,520kg (better) | 1,720kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 750kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 24kWh | 49kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 118 mi | 213 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW | 53kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £25,990 (better) | £28,495 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2011–2015 | 2025+ |
* Nissan LEAF: NEDC figure — WLTP testing was not available for this model year
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh | Toyota Urban CruiserStandard Range |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 118 miles | 213 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 76 miles | 178 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW | 53 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 3.3 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 150 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 22 kWh | 49 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LMO_NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh | Toyota Urban CruiserStandard Range |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 11.5 sec | 9.6 sec (better) |
| Power | 80 kW | 106 kW (better) |
| Torque | 254 Nm (better) | 193 Nm |
| 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.
Nissan LEAF
Visia 24kWh
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Toyota Urban Cruiser
Standard Range
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Nissan LEAF
All 3 videos
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 Visia 24kWh
Tested 2011
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant83%
Vulnerable Road Users65%
Safety Assist84%
Euro NCAP - Toyota Urban Cruiser Standard Range
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant77%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users79%
Safety Assist72%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh | Toyota Urban CruiserStandard Range |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,000 km | 160,000 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Nissan LEAF
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Toyota Urban Cruiser
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Toyota Urban Cruiser worth the extra £2,505 over the Nissan LEAF?
The Toyota Urban Cruiser costs £2,505 more than the Nissan LEAF. For that premium it adds 95 miles more WLTP range and a 1.9s quicker 0-62mph time. The Nissan LEAF is not just cheaper - it also offers 60 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Toyota Urban Cruiser comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Nissan LEAF or the Toyota Urban Cruiser?
The Nissan LEAF is £2,505 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £160 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Nissan LEAF comes out roughly £2,465 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Nissan LEAF and Toyota Urban Cruiser like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 76 miles for the Nissan LEAF and 178 miles for the Toyota Urban Cruiser - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Toyota Urban Cruiser goes roughly 102 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 30-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Nissan LEAF or the Toyota Urban Cruiser?
The Nissan LEAF is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 30 mm narrower than the Toyota Urban Cruiser. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 630 mm of total clearance for the Nissan LEAF and about 600 mm of total clearance for the Toyota Urban Cruiser.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Nissan LEAF or the Toyota Urban Cruiser?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 65% battery health for the Nissan LEAF and 90% for the Toyota Urban Cruiser. That gives the Toyota Urban Cruiser a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Toyota Urban Cruiser's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Nissan LEAF's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
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 Nissan LEAF comparisons
More Toyota Urban Cruiser 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 Nissan LEAF and Toyota Urban Cruiser rank among the best family EVsWhere the Nissan LEAF and Toyota Urban Cruiser rank among EVs under £30,000Where the Nissan LEAF and Toyota Urban Cruiser rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Nissan LEAF and Toyota Urban Cruiser rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Nissan LEAF and Toyota Urban Cruiser rank among the best city EVsWhere the Nissan LEAF and Toyota Urban Cruiser rank among the cheapest EVs to run
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .