I recently bought a leftover 2018 Leaf SV new, the standard not plus. Why did I choose it? Price. I was able to negotiate a big discount. I tried shopping for the Niro EV but if I could even find one, dealers wanted MSRP. Or more. With tax credits and rebates I was able to snag a *NEW* 2018 leaf for ~ 15.5k (MSRP was 37k) In the end, it was all about price. So far I really like it. Its not perfect but again, for the PRICE I couldn't do better. I really like your videos Alex but sometimes I don't think you weigh "REAL" price enough in these discussions. Thank You!
It was leftkver with others on a lot in Palmdale ca two months ago but they are all gone now. Here we had a 7500 fed credit, 2500 state, 3500 local air district, and 1000 electric company. Those are from memory but I think that's correct.
Bought my Niro EV three weeks ago. Love it. Love it. The best car I have ever owned. Zippy, quiet, 250 miles on a charge. Plenty of room. Only complaint is the back up noise signal is too damn loud.
The Leaf's lack of active cooling has caused major issues with battery life in hotter climates and has hurt the images of EV's. I dont care if Nissan makes a bit less cash by not adding the trivial 100 year old technology of liquid cooling. And it wont cost less to maintain for not having it, the battery degradation will make the car worthless long before anything else fails on it. Add the cooling Nissan!
I leased a 2018 Nissan Leaf standard range and couldn’t be happier. Am averaging a good 4.7 miles per kWh and have no issue with fc which I use almost exclusively, and I live in Florida with May temps in the upper 90s with no battery problems. Am getting 180 miles per full 100% charge. Love it.
The battery warranty on most EVs (incl. the Leaf) is 8 years, a year longer than kia offer (I wouldn't concern myself with the rest of the powertrain, since most of the rest is unlikely to go wrong and relatively cheap to replace if it did). Kia also have some substantial exclusions in the fine print after 3 and 5 years. Not saying the warranty coverage/experience for the typical owner won't be better with the Kia.... just that it's not as cut and dry as at first glance.
cros13 buddy, I work for Kia. The EV system is included in the 10 year one hundred thousand mile warranty. Thus, I rest my case. You might have a pint for the rest, but the EV system is powertrain in Kia.
@@oscarlopez5122 OK... here in most of europe the KIA warranty is 7 years/150,000km, not 10. Take hyundai's EV warranty here as a comparison, it's 8 years/200,000km and covers motor, reduction gear and battery. Kia did have a 10 year battery warranty here on the old Soul EV, but all of the 37 & 64kWh cars are on the 7 year warranty.
Bought the standard LEAF last year and it has been a great car (pricing was really good on it). More basic than some of the other EV's.. but works great, and is much cheaper to run and maintain than a gas vehicle.
I will choose e Niro. The opening in the back is more desirable. Having the ability to take a space tire is also a plus. I wonder if there is any improvement for the 2020 model.
Thanks, today I put a deposit on the Niro. UK here. I prefer the standard SUV look. I like the longer range, I can use the longer range battery to enjoy sport mode for shorter routes, and Eco when i need the range. Long waiting time in UK , but whatever. This is not a criticism, just a comment on the difference between our Countries, we say Niss, as in Hiss, and San as in Man. Thanks for a very good review.
Regarding the J1772 Combo 'covers'. I know they seem sloppy; but I can understand why the bottom cover for the DC ports has to go on first- the simple fact that people are going to be using the Level 2 CCS connector far more often, and thus keeping the DC ports covered when not in use.
It seems obvious to me that the Niro EV is superior to the Leaf due to its liquid-cooled battery, but there's no doubt the Leaf is easier to get. Still, if the Niro EV and Kona EV are what Kia/Hyundai are producing just because they need the ZEV credits, I can't wait to see what their EV output will look like by the time they're truly all-in on all-electric.
Correction, it's Tesla who is "producing just because of ZEV credits" and other subsidies. While Kia/Hyundai are selling their EVs around the world including the Niro EV in non-ZEV states like Georgia... that proves what you said is just one of the false FUD memes that has spread on social media about Hyundai's EVs...And it's about profits, so they will ramp up production as profitability increases... not just to make EV fantiancs happy...But let's agree the Niro EV and Kona EV are impressive 1st steps :)
Avoid the Leaf. Without liquid battery cooling you'll be hauling around a brick of useless batteries after a few years. Also, the Leaf E+ batteries should degrade even faster as the battery pack is denser. This means they fit more cells in nearly the same physical space as the regular leaf. This creates even more heat buildup in the pack. The only way for Nissan to understand the significance of liquid thermal management for the Leaf is for consumers to avoid buying it. A big decline in sales and profits will get management to consider liquid thermal management.
Actually, due to the far lower C-rates, the battery should last _longer_ on the e-Plus, and charging should not heat up the pack nearly as much. They might be able to get away with air cooling on that pack, but the lack of battery _heating_ makes it tougher sell in any place with cold winters. The Niro, on the other hand, has a dedicated winter mode that keeps the battery warm.
goes to show the much better batteries in the Nissan! Has anyone had a problem with Leaf? Don't act like you know everything!The idea that the KIA needs heating and cooling on their batteries d
I just finished shopping for an EV to replace my leased 2016 Leaf and I agree with all the points you made. I wound up paying the Tesla premium and couldn't be happier with my model 3.
Of ALL the EV options available right now - I'd buy the Niro EV. Tesla's QC issues and (especially) the ridiculous interior design ergonomics of the Model 3 (almost everything has to be done thru the display) have eliminated it from my list. The luxury brands options (Audi, MB, Jaguar, Tesla Model S and X) while nice, are simply priced too far out of my comfort zone. The Niro EV really packs a lot into an "affordable" design that is IMO good looking and very practical. Having said that, in another year or two there will (supposedly) be a bunch more EV options. I'm personally waiting to see how the VW models pan out.
Audi E Tron (or other newer Audi) use mostly touch screen interface also. Only different is split screen instead of one large one. Jaguar also but have a few more buttons. This seem to be the trend forward. Keep in mind Audi is under VW so future VW EV maybe all touch screen too. Only thing that really need to get use to on model 3 is no driver dashboard.
I would only get a Leaf if I leased it. The lack of cooling for hot days and/or fast charging it will inevitably wear out the batteries faster. The lack of heating really hurts range during the cold days. Not the kind of car I want to be stuck with when the value plummets.
Batteries have a 10 year warranty there is no problem with the batteries this is just nonsense i had a 2011 leaf for over 9 years with no problems and now have the new leaf the build quality is second to none this guy obviously just dose not like the leaf that is like brits when your new on the scene and up coming everyone likes you but once your established they want to knock you down. Take it from me if you want trouble free cheap motoring get your self a Leaf you wont regret ir
Not a big fan of frontal charge zones. 1 minor tap and you damage a critical energy system. I prefer it on the driver side rear of the body, because the overwhelming majority of the time if you get T-boned hard enough to damage that connector your vehicle is totaled out anyway.
Alex I"m a little miffed; why isn't the Niro sold in Colorado. We are adopting the CA standards and are one of the best markets for electric cars in the USA. I clearly like the Niro better then the Leaf. The Leafs battery system is only going to lead to problems. I also wish you would discuss leasing vs buy on electric cars.
I already own the new Nissan Leaf, and I like it OK, but if the Kia Niro EV was going to be available where I live I would have bought the Niro instead, hands down. We do have another car to trade in if Kia ever decides to make the Niro EV available here, if not, we might have to consider the Tesla Model Y.
The Niro seems better in most regards. liquid cooling (and heating) cant be overstated in its import... Its kinda hard to beleaf (see what I did there!) that Nissan is sticking with air cooling their battery. the cargo area in the Niro looks way more practical too, the sub in the Leaf is just plain weird!
I am not at all a fan of Nissan like I used to be. Kia is top 3 for me now though. Yet, the Kia styling could use some more creasing and sharpness on its body.
With the recent daytime temps of >100F (38C) in the Bay Area, I look with a bit of pity at the Leaf drivers on the freeway. I recently saw a Leaf owner looking confused and frustrated while they were fast charging their Leaf in Livermore this past Tuesday when ambients were over 104F.
It's not Kia (or other brands) doing better and better it's Nissan doing wrong and more wrong struggling hard just to keep up with the competition, not to mention innovation.
For me the big difference was that the Niro is not sold in my state and no dealers would service it. I'm in Minnesota and was told the closest dealer that would service it was in Texas. Also was able to get the LEAF Plus SL for about $10k less than the Niro.
I would get the Nissan. I live in Ohio and own a 2015 Kia Soul EV. Unfortunately, the on board charger stopped working and the nearest dealer Kia allows to work on my vehicle is 500 miles away. I had been unaware of this when I purchased the vehicle. My previous vehicle was a Ford Focus EV and while it had a much shorter range any Ford dealer would work on the Focus EV. Choosing The Nissan will save you a great deal of time if you don’t live close to a dealer certified to work on Kia EVs. It would also save you giant headaches should you be on a long trip and have a problem when more than 50 or a 100 miles from the appropriate dealer.
I had both. Performance on the Leaf Plus allows you to use the Air without lowering your batter radio as well. The Leaf looses the battery every thing you use. It's like you have a lot of features you can't use. I recommend the Plus or don't waste your money on the poor battery.
Jeez...Watching the review requires filling out an extensive checklist. Similar to the spreadsheet Alex' probably used to develop his script. :) As usual, the most comprehensive, detailed review on the net. As far as this specific comparison is concerned, Nissan (and of course Tesla) deserve kudos for pioneering EV vehicles and doubling down on their commitment. But being a pioneer doesn't necessarily pay off in the long run. There's also an advantage in coming later to a party if it enables you to see what everyone else is wearing. The KIA Telluride is one recent example; the forthcoming crop of EV's from the Korean manufacturers is likely another. If I had to commute every day from my home to Seattle, fifty or so miles away, EV range and recharging availability would top every other priority for me. An EV with a range of circa 100 miles is simply not an option. It doesn't have to equal the 350+ miles I experience in my GTI but 200+ miles is a minimum. That goal is in sight from multiple brands. And that's great but it's not the only barrier, at least for people like me. Even if I ignore the little warning light on my GTI's dash until I'm close to running on fumes I can usually find a gas station within a few miles almost anywhere. Even with the ongoing deployment of EV recharge stations, we're far away from that. Furthermore, I own a suburban home with a garage so I can install a high capacity recharge station for a few hundred dollars. But my neighbors in apartments and condos usually don't have that luxury. Here in the high tech Puget Sound area a number of employers have proactively installed EV recharging stations and they're beginning to pop up in local malls and other spots, as well. That's great, too. But the time required to recharge longer range EV's even partially means that there are lines to access even larger recharge stations installed at some high tech firms. My friends who commute to places like Microsoft and various cellular firms report having to arrive early at work to recharge their vehicles and have to be sure to move them after a few hours to make room for their colleagues. All in all I'm inclined to think that hydrogen fuel cell technology holds greater long term promise than pure EV's. Even now models from Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai offer ranges of over 300 miles with refueling times of five minutes or less. Those are huge advantages. Of course, the current weakness of fuel cell vehicles is the absence of refueling infrastructure. But unlike EV recharging, fuel cell tanks can be serviced by the same vehicles that supply gasoline to service stations. And installing a single liquid hydrogen pump in an existing service station is far less expensive than installing an entire bank of EV chargers that would be required to serve the same number of vehicles over a given period of time.
I would take the Niro anyday, since the lack of adjustment on the steering wheel in the Leaf, makes it a no go. Problem is that Kia produces so few, that one have to wait 9-12 months for a car :( About interior design, the facelifted e-niro, that should come next year, looks so much better compared to the present one, with the 10 inch screen and new cockpit design. Nice review btw, beside the seats, we agree on the rest :D
KIa apparently is not interested in selling a lot of Niros. That's the reason you almost see no inventory in all dealers, and have to pay MSRP to pre-order. Probably Kia does not make money with this EV. Anyhow Niro price will be around $41-45K. That just too high.
Tesla's UI is different, just as the iPhone was different when it was introduced. It has a couple usability issues, but no more than many conventional cars. It's the wrong thing to focus on. What really matters is charging network, charging speed, and battery longevity. This is why Tesla is so successful.
@@pepstein The touchscreen design rendered it to be a no-go for me. I really like the model S, but the minimalistic design of the model 3 is too far fetched to me. I'd like to operate the car blindly knowing where to find the buttons I need. That being said, I think its an awesome car in many ways, but just not the most practical car for me and my family.
@@Wmeester1971 there are significant pros to the touchscreen, such as the constant stream of improvements it gets via OTA updates. But I agree there are also significant cons, such as having to take your eyes off the road to adjust wiper speed. Luxury brands are moving in this direction, including Audi, Porsche, and Jaguar. The Tesla user interface is intuitive and more responsive than the others. New Model 3 owners seem to a agree that they get used to the central touchscreen quickly, I'd that's any consolation. In any case, I got you find a suitable EV for you and your family.
@@pepstein I acknowledge the advantage of having software updates, but as a software engineer I also recognize the disadvantages and risks. I'm not going to dismiss to model 3's touchscreen approach as unusable, but it simply does not appeal to me and I really hate to having to look at a screen and having to track where my fingers go to adjust a simple setting, for the same reason a real keyboard is better than a touchscreen: coordination and feedback. I really think that knowing your car and knowing to find your buttons blindness is a better way to go. Sure new model 3 owners agree they get used to it quickly because they are most likely the ones that are attracted to its design in the first place. I'm not so sure whether luxurious brands are going this direction. I've not seen any hint they do. Personally I'd rather buy a used model S than a new model 3 for various reason, but the touchscreen would be one of the main ones.
Leap has a poor history on battery life. Not only the liquid cooling, the cell technology itself seems under developed caused by small joint venture production lacks of R&D resources.
I just leased a 2019 SV standard range, I wanted to wait for the Kia but it wasn't around and I need to replace my 2011 Leaf. It is much better range than expected and completely disagree about wind noise. Not sure what he was driving but it is neary as quiet as my MB S550e. The lack of liquid cooled battery prevents me from ever buying a Leaf (NIssan come on) but I would lease one all day long.The Leaf is the best selling EV for a reason, you can get one and the price right.....but still concerned after my 2011 Leaf went down below 50 miles of range
Kia Niro average BASE price - 41,500$ Nissan Leaf average MID grade price - 33,100$ For approximately 8k-12k more Kia does not impress me. About 70-80 more mile range for the Kia... that kind of price difference isn’t discussed in the video which is understandable. The biggest factor here is do you need the extra range and are you planning on road tripping and fast charging multiple times repeatedly in a short period. If so that’s why your paying 8k-12k over the Nissan Leaf. This video is a great video.
Leaf only if you travel less than 125 miles between charges and charge up with level 2 80~90% of the time. If you DC fast charge more than 10% of the time the kia is the better choice.
Hi Alex because of Ice issues I prefer the Niro's push pop door clears ice in the winter. The old latch door you have on your Soul is a pain in winter I had to create a velcro pull strap for when it was iced up, and frozen shut. Just an Fyi from a Canadian Point of view. KIA 5 year warranty.
Check up on the price of similar daily driver EV’s in China cost. The EV market of the world. We are getting ripped off over here. Don’t pay all that money and wait them out. Not about green or maybe it is, though that green is about getting your money.
Trumpchi in China and many more. Let’s face it, EV is a local city, town driver not cross country in US. So big battery packs are overrated and drive up cost. Still China manages to get them out cheaper, not even considering the govt subsidy over there.
I am waiting until there are more charging stations, the tech gets better, and the price comes down. Driving a Mazda CX-5 with a high IIHS test score and high Consumer Reports and Car & Driver scores. I considered buying a Prius V, and would consider a regular Niro hybrid if I wanted to downgrade from a CX-5 for lower costs, less room, less fun to drive and less safety. If I lived in an area with bad air at times like the L A valley, I would be more likely to spend more for a plug in to help people with lung problems. Overall, Kia seems to be improving and Nissan is getting worse for reliability and safety.
What do you think of the new class of tires specifically designed to reduce road noise in electric vehicles? I forget the manufacturer, but maybe thee are more than one.
Have you noticed you say "A little bit..." quite a lot? haha just a random observation. Keep up the great work! You have the most informative reviews BY FAR.
This video brought to you by the state of California and the governments $7,500 rebate. Also liquid cooled vs air cooled battery is a huge difference. Nissan cheaped out
KIA is a Better Built Car! Korea is doing a fantastic job on all the products they produce! My next car will be a long range Tesla in pearl white with the smaller wheels so I get a higher side wall to give me a more luxurious ride! If I want a car for performance I'll buy the new Tesla sports car coming out 0 to 60 in 2.5 seconds which blows away McLarens, Lamborghinis and Ferraris! When you put the pedal down on an electric car it's a much better feeling than putting the pedal down on a gas car because of the cost and the fact you know you're not polluting the planet. Once you drive an electric car for three days it's hard getting back into a gasoline car.
You said the Kia Niro EV has a 7.4 kW on-board charger.. did you mean 7.2 kW? And I would get Kia Niro EV for its longer range, even against LEAF Plus.
The Kia onboard charger in the US is identical to the european unit which is rated for 230V/32A, so commonly called 7.4kW. But on 220V in the US it would do a little over 7kW
What absolutely blows my mind is the fact that both of these vehicles have motors that take up the entire engine bay. WHY?! All EVs should have substantial frunks!!
This is so stupid you have to ask yourself how many miles of range you need to pick a car now? And this is supposed to be our future? And the refueling time still sucks.
KIA Dealers are adding additional $5,000 above sticker price, standard EX $45,000 to the premium $51,700. not worth purchasing ...specially with newer 2020 EV coming out at the end of the year ... The dealer stated their doing this due to: not to much EV cars yet in the market, prices will go down once more competitive EVs are available. hahahahha what a rip off...
The idea that the KIA needs battery cooling and heating systems go to show that the Nissan has better batteries! Am I the only one with this conclusion? Has anyone really had any serious problem with the Leaf? KIA buys batteries from SK and LG which are both known to make cheap powerful batteries but not reliable! Wake up everyone!!
Very few (almost none) people mentioned this: NHTSA rating for 2020 Leaf, Kona, Bolt, all 5 stars. On the other hand, Niro only scores 4 stars... I was almost getting niro but this is the deal breaker for me.
I recently bought a leftover 2018 Leaf SV new, the standard not plus. Why did I choose it? Price. I was able to negotiate a big discount. I tried shopping for the Niro EV but if I could even find one, dealers wanted MSRP. Or more. With tax credits and rebates I was able to snag a *NEW* 2018 leaf for ~ 15.5k (MSRP was 37k) In the end, it was all about price. So far I really like it. Its not perfect but again, for the PRICE I couldn't do better. I really like your videos Alex but sometimes I don't think you weigh "REAL" price enough in these discussions. Thank You!
WOW. JUST WOW. That is an amazing steal for $15k!!!
wow, nice. Do you have a breakdown of the rebates /credits?
Yes I'm interested in the topic too
I guess it is about $25K before tax credits/rebates. Where did you get new 2018 Leaf ? I am interested in that too.
It was leftkver with others on a lot in Palmdale ca two months ago but they are all gone now.
Here we had a 7500 fed credit, 2500 state, 3500 local air district, and 1000 electric company. Those are from memory but I think that's correct.
liquid cooling and room for a full size spare tire ... go Kia for the win
Alex is like a mail carrier, delivers rain, snow, or shine.
hahahahahaha I agree, only a few would do such.
Bought my Niro EV three weeks ago. Love it. Love it. The best car I have ever owned. Zippy, quiet, 250 miles on a charge. Plenty of room. Only complaint is the back up noise signal is too damn loud.
The Leaf's lack of active cooling has caused major issues with battery life in hotter climates and has hurt the images of EV's. I dont care if Nissan makes a bit less cash by not adding the trivial 100 year old technology of liquid cooling. And it wont cost less to maintain for not having it, the battery degradation will make the car worthless long before anything else fails on it. Add the cooling Nissan!
Do you like the Nissan or KIA better?
I leased a 2018 Nissan Leaf standard range and couldn’t be happier. Am averaging a good 4.7 miles per kWh and have no issue with fc which I use almost exclusively, and I live in Florida with May temps in the upper 90s with no battery problems. Am getting 180 miles per full 100% charge. Love it.
Kia Niro all the way. Plus the long warranty covers all of the EV system.
Good point. Kia's warranties are strong.
The battery warranty on most EVs (incl. the Leaf) is 8 years, a year longer than kia offer (I wouldn't concern myself with the rest of the powertrain, since most of the rest is unlikely to go wrong and relatively cheap to replace if it did). Kia also have some substantial exclusions in the fine print after 3 and 5 years.
Not saying the warranty coverage/experience for the typical owner won't be better with the Kia.... just that it's not as cut and dry as at first glance.
cros13 buddy, I work for Kia. The EV system is included in the 10 year one hundred thousand mile warranty. Thus, I rest my case. You might have a pint for the rest, but the EV system is powertrain in Kia.
@@oscarlopez5122 OK... here in most of europe the KIA warranty is 7 years/150,000km, not 10. Take hyundai's EV warranty here as a comparison, it's 8 years/200,000km and covers motor, reduction gear and battery. Kia did have a 10 year battery warranty here on the old Soul EV, but all of the 37 & 64kWh cars are on the 7 year warranty.
cros13 I’m sorry but that’s Europe. It’s different in America.
Bought the standard LEAF last year and it has been a great car (pricing was really good on it). More basic than some of the other EV's.. but works great, and is much cheaper to run and maintain than a gas vehicle.
I am buying the top Soul EV with the 64KW battery. It will arrive onshore in the next week or so.
I will choose e Niro. The opening in the back is more desirable. Having the ability to take a space tire is also a plus. I wonder if there is any improvement for the 2020 model.
Thanks, today I put a deposit on the Niro. UK here.
I prefer the standard SUV look.
I like the longer range, I can use the longer range battery to enjoy sport mode for shorter routes, and Eco when i need the range.
Long waiting time in UK , but whatever.
This is not a criticism, just a comment on the difference between our Countries, we say Niss, as in Hiss, and San as in Man.
Thanks for a very good review.
I think Kia electric cars have a long waiting list in some countries over a year. The leaf is very much available.
Regarding the J1772 Combo 'covers'. I know they seem sloppy; but I can understand why the bottom cover for the DC ports has to go on first- the simple fact that people are going to be using the Level 2 CCS connector far more often, and thus keeping the DC ports covered when not in use.
It seems obvious to me that the Niro EV is superior to the Leaf due to its liquid-cooled battery, but there's no doubt the Leaf is easier to get. Still, if the Niro EV and Kona EV are what Kia/Hyundai are producing just because they need the ZEV credits, I can't wait to see what their EV output will look like by the time they're truly all-in on all-electric.
Correction, it's Tesla who is "producing just because of ZEV credits" and other subsidies. While Kia/Hyundai are selling their EVs around the world including the Niro EV in non-ZEV states like Georgia... that proves what you said is just one of the false FUD memes that has spread on social media about Hyundai's EVs...And it's about profits, so they will ramp up production as profitability increases... not just to make EV fantiancs happy...But let's agree the Niro EV and Kona EV are impressive 1st steps :)
@@nc3826 🙄
@@pepstein mazel tov
Avoid the Leaf. Without liquid battery cooling you'll be hauling around a brick of useless batteries after a few years.
Also, the Leaf E+ batteries should degrade even faster as the battery pack is denser. This means they fit more cells in nearly the same physical space as the regular leaf. This creates even more heat buildup in the pack.
The only way for Nissan to understand the significance of liquid thermal management for the Leaf is for consumers to avoid buying it. A big decline in sales and profits will get management to consider liquid thermal management.
Actually, due to the far lower C-rates, the battery should last _longer_ on the e-Plus, and charging should not heat up the pack nearly as much. They might be able to get away with air cooling on that pack, but the lack of battery _heating_ makes it tougher sell in any place with cold winters. The Niro, on the other hand, has a dedicated winter mode that keeps the battery warm.
goes to show the much better batteries in the Nissan! Has anyone had a problem with Leaf? Don't act like you know everything!The idea that the KIA needs heating and cooling on their batteries d
I just finished shopping for an EV to replace my leased 2016 Leaf and I agree with all the points you made. I wound up paying the Tesla premium and couldn't be happier with my model 3.
Of ALL the EV options available right now - I'd buy the Niro EV. Tesla's QC issues and (especially) the ridiculous interior design ergonomics of the Model 3 (almost everything has to be done thru the display) have eliminated it from my list. The luxury brands options (Audi, MB, Jaguar, Tesla Model S and X) while nice, are simply priced too far out of my comfort zone. The Niro EV really packs a lot into an "affordable" design that is IMO good looking and very practical. Having said that, in another year or two there will (supposedly) be a bunch more EV options. I'm personally waiting to see how the VW models pan out.
Tesla minimalism is an acquired taste ... takes time to adjust
Audi E Tron (or other newer Audi) use mostly touch screen interface also. Only different is split screen instead of one large one. Jaguar also but have a few more buttons. This seem to be the trend forward. Keep in mind Audi is under VW so future VW EV maybe all touch screen too.
Only thing that really need to get use to on model 3 is no driver dashboard.
I would only get a Leaf if I leased it. The lack of cooling for hot days and/or fast charging it will inevitably wear out the batteries faster. The lack of heating really hurts range during the cold days. Not the kind of car I want to be stuck with when the value plummets.
Batteries have a 10 year warranty there is no problem with the batteries this is just nonsense i had a 2011 leaf for over 9 years with no problems and now have the new leaf the build quality is second to none this guy obviously just dose not like the leaf that is like brits when your new on the scene and up coming everyone likes you but once your established they want to knock you down. Take it from me if you want trouble free cheap motoring get your self a Leaf you wont regret ir
Not a big fan of frontal charge zones. 1 minor tap and you damage a critical energy system. I prefer it on the driver side rear of the body, because the overwhelming majority of the time if you get T-boned hard enough to damage that connector your vehicle is totaled out anyway.
Another excellent comparison!!
Leaf has let themselves down with the air cooled battery and the ridiculous subwoofer in the middle of the rear storage area.
Doesn't the Kia Niro have a better warranty than the Leaf?
Kia Niro EV. look nicer.
I love my 2014 Nissan leaf, but I cant wait to get a newer one.
Buy the Niro, Lease the Leaf. If money tight, consider a used Nissan Leaf but check the miles :)
I would recommend checking the health of the battery of the Leaf using something like LeafSpy. The miles are only one reason the battery can degrade.
Alex I"m a little miffed; why isn't the Niro sold in Colorado. We are adopting the CA standards and are one of the best markets for electric cars in the USA.
I clearly like the Niro better then the Leaf. The Leafs battery system is only going to lead to problems. I also wish you would discuss leasing vs buy on electric cars.
I already own the new Nissan Leaf, and I like it OK, but if the Kia Niro EV was going to be available where I live I would have bought the Niro instead, hands down. We do have another car to trade in if Kia ever decides to make the Niro EV available here, if not, we might have to consider the Tesla Model Y.
As a 2019 Leaf owner, the Niro is better. Hands down. If anything but Nissans and BMWs were available where I live, it would have been on my list.
Funny that these are considered Budget vehicles in the EV world , neither are inexpensive .
Huh? $40k is plenty expensive.
@@markman63 read what i said. INot Inexpensive equals expensive
The Niro seems better in most regards. liquid cooling (and heating) cant be overstated in its import... Its kinda hard to beleaf (see what I did there!) that Nissan is sticking with air cooling their battery. the cargo area in the Niro looks way more practical too, the sub in the Leaf is just plain weird!
I am not at all a fan of Nissan like I used to be. Kia is top 3 for me now though. Yet, the Kia styling could use some more creasing and sharpness on its body.
With the recent daytime temps of >100F (38C) in the Bay Area, I look with a bit of pity at the Leaf drivers on the freeway. I recently saw a Leaf owner looking confused and frustrated while they were fast charging their Leaf in Livermore this past Tuesday when ambients were over 104F.
Kia is ahead but you needed to get the long range Leaf before doing this comparison.
Probably myself i would look at Kona
In NZ we have the 40kwh, 289km model e-niro but its 15% more than the 40kwh Leaf (as well as the 64kwh, 455km car)
It's not Kia (or other brands) doing better and better it's Nissan doing wrong and more wrong struggling hard just to keep up with the competition, not to mention innovation.
I'd hold out and get the Tesla , but I do like there are getting to be more and more electric car options with 200+ range.
Niro all the way
The Leaf has the advantage of actually being available for sale for most people in the US. The Niro is a lot more limited in supply and availability.
@@TheGerm24 True, but states outside of California really don't matter. All joking aside, Kia did a bad move on the availability side.
For me the big difference was that the Niro is not sold in my state and no dealers would service it. I'm in Minnesota and was told the closest dealer that would service it was in Texas. Also was able to get the LEAF Plus SL for about $10k less than the Niro.
Thanks for doing this review despite the weather condition.
I would get the Nissan. I live in Ohio and own a 2015 Kia Soul EV. Unfortunately, the on board charger stopped working and the nearest dealer Kia allows to work on my vehicle is 500 miles away. I had been unaware of this when I purchased the vehicle. My previous vehicle was a Ford Focus EV and while it had a much shorter range any Ford dealer would work on the Focus EV. Choosing The Nissan will save you a great deal of time if you don’t live close to a dealer certified to work on Kia EVs. It would also save you giant headaches should you be on a long trip and have a problem when more than 50 or a 100 miles from the appropriate dealer.
I would choose the Tesla, but because of wife and kids, we will get our Kia in aprox 18 months. Cant wait 👍😊
I had both.
Performance on the Leaf Plus allows you to use the Air without lowering your batter radio as well.
The Leaf looses the battery every thing you use.
It's like you have a lot of features you can't use.
I recommend the Plus or don't waste your money on the poor battery.
You forgot to mention the newer longer range Nissan Leaf ePlus has over the air updates and larger infotainment both welcome improvements.
Jeez...Watching the review requires filling out an extensive checklist. Similar to the spreadsheet Alex' probably used to develop his script. :) As usual, the most comprehensive, detailed review on the net.
As far as this specific comparison is concerned, Nissan (and of course Tesla) deserve kudos for pioneering EV vehicles and doubling down on their commitment. But being a pioneer doesn't necessarily pay off in the long run. There's also an advantage in coming later to a party if it enables you to see what everyone else is wearing. The KIA Telluride is one recent example; the forthcoming crop of EV's from the Korean manufacturers is likely another.
If I had to commute every day from my home to Seattle, fifty or so miles away, EV range and recharging availability would top every other priority for me. An EV with a range of circa 100 miles is simply not an option. It doesn't have to equal the 350+ miles I experience in my GTI but 200+ miles is a minimum. That goal is in sight from multiple brands. And that's great but it's not the only barrier, at least for people like me.
Even if I ignore the little warning light on my GTI's dash until I'm close to running on fumes I can usually find a gas station within a few miles almost anywhere. Even with the ongoing deployment of EV recharge stations, we're far away from that. Furthermore, I own a suburban home with a garage so I can install a high capacity recharge station for a few hundred dollars. But my neighbors in apartments and condos usually don't have that luxury.
Here in the high tech Puget Sound area a number of employers have proactively installed EV recharging stations and they're beginning to pop up in local malls and other spots, as well. That's great, too. But the time required to recharge longer range EV's even partially means that there are lines to access even larger recharge stations installed at some high tech firms. My friends who commute to places like Microsoft and various cellular firms report having to arrive early at work to recharge their vehicles and have to be sure to move them after a few hours to make room for their colleagues.
All in all I'm inclined to think that hydrogen fuel cell technology holds greater long term promise than pure EV's. Even now models from Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai offer ranges of over 300 miles with refueling times of five minutes or less. Those are huge advantages. Of course, the current weakness of fuel cell vehicles is the absence of refueling infrastructure. But unlike EV recharging, fuel cell tanks can be serviced by the same vehicles that supply gasoline to service stations. And installing a single liquid hydrogen pump in an existing service station is far less expensive than installing an entire bank of EV chargers that would be required to serve the same number of vehicles over a given period of time.
It's not just range come on it's not the entire difference. If you want to use your heating and defrost you better get the biggest battery. Be honest
I would take the Niro anyday, since the lack of adjustment on the steering wheel in the Leaf, makes it a no go. Problem is that Kia produces so few, that one have to wait 9-12 months for a car :( About interior design, the facelifted e-niro, that should come next year, looks so much better compared to the present one, with the 10 inch screen and new cockpit design. Nice review btw, beside the seats, we agree on the rest :D
driven both and I'd take the kia no question
KIa apparently is not interested in selling a lot of Niros. That's the reason you almost see no inventory in all dealers, and have to pay MSRP to pre-order.
Probably Kia does not make money with this EV. Anyhow Niro price will be around $41-45K. That just too high.
Kia Niro is superior in every metric I care about. The Tesla user interface (a slapped on glass panel) is a non-starter.
Tesla supercharging is the only real / feasible long road trip option
Tesla's UI is different, just as the iPhone was different when it was introduced. It has a couple usability issues, but no more than many conventional cars. It's the wrong thing to focus on. What really matters is charging network, charging speed, and battery longevity. This is why Tesla is so successful.
@@pepstein The touchscreen design rendered it to be a no-go for me. I really like the model S, but the minimalistic design of the model 3 is too far fetched to me. I'd like to operate the car blindly knowing where to find the buttons I need. That being said, I think its an awesome car in many ways, but just not the most practical car for me and my family.
@@Wmeester1971 there are significant pros to the touchscreen, such as the constant stream of improvements it gets via OTA updates. But I agree there are also significant cons, such as having to take your eyes off the road to adjust wiper speed. Luxury brands are moving in this direction, including Audi, Porsche, and Jaguar. The Tesla user interface is intuitive and more responsive than the others. New Model 3 owners seem to a agree that they get used to the central touchscreen quickly, I'd that's any consolation. In any case, I got you find a suitable EV for you and your family.
@@pepstein I acknowledge the advantage of having software updates, but as a software engineer I also recognize the disadvantages and risks. I'm not going to dismiss to model 3's touchscreen approach as unusable, but it simply does not appeal to me and I really hate to having to look at a screen and having to track where my fingers go to adjust a simple setting, for the same reason a real keyboard is better than a touchscreen: coordination and feedback. I really think that knowing your car and knowing to find your buttons blindness is a better way to go.
Sure new model 3 owners agree they get used to it quickly because they are most likely the ones that are attracted to its design in the first place. I'm not so sure whether luxurious brands are going this direction. I've not seen any hint they do.
Personally I'd rather buy a used model S than a new model 3 for various reason, but the touchscreen would be one of the main ones.
I'm disappointed in the Leaf I really thought the next gen would be liquid cooled.
The leaf certainly looks better.
Leap has a poor history on battery life. Not only the liquid cooling, the cell technology itself seems under developed caused by small joint venture production lacks of R&D resources.
E-Niro is an awesome car that you can't buy!
Chademo is a bidirectional standard that supports V2G and V2H which makes it a superior choice over the CCS format.
I prefer the Nissan's proportions, but it's no doubt the Niro is a better car.
I just leased a 2019 SV standard range, I wanted to wait for the Kia but it wasn't around and I need to replace my 2011 Leaf. It is much better range than expected and completely disagree about wind noise. Not sure what he was driving but it is neary as quiet as my MB S550e. The lack of liquid cooled battery prevents me from ever buying a Leaf (NIssan come on) but I would lease one all day long.The Leaf is the best selling EV for a reason, you can get one and the price right.....but still concerned after my 2011 Leaf went down below 50 miles of range
Kia Niro average BASE price - 41,500$
Nissan Leaf average MID grade price - 33,100$
For approximately 8k-12k more Kia does not impress me. About 70-80 more mile range for the Kia... that kind of price difference isn’t discussed in the video which is understandable. The biggest factor here is do you need the extra range and are you planning on road tripping and fast charging multiple times repeatedly in a short period. If so that’s why your paying 8k-12k over the Nissan Leaf.
This video is a great video.
Leaf only if you travel less than 125 miles between charges and charge up with level 2 80~90% of the time. If you DC fast charge more than 10% of the time the kia is the better choice.
Hi Alex because of Ice issues I prefer the Niro's push pop door clears ice in the winter. The old latch door you have on your Soul is a pain in winter I had to create a velcro pull strap for when it was iced up, and frozen shut. Just an Fyi from a Canadian Point of view. KIA 5 year warranty.
Why is it always raining when you do videos!!! 😂😂
Check up on the price of similar daily driver EV’s in China cost. The EV market of the world. We are getting ripped off over here. Don’t pay all that money and wait them out. Not about green or maybe it is, though that green is about getting your money.
Trumpchi in China and many more. Let’s face it, EV is a local city, town driver not cross country in US. So big battery packs are overrated and drive up cost. Still China manages to get them out cheaper, not even considering the govt subsidy over there.
I am waiting until there are more charging stations, the tech gets better, and the price comes down. Driving a Mazda CX-5 with a high IIHS test score and high Consumer Reports and Car & Driver scores. I considered buying a Prius V, and would consider a regular Niro hybrid if I wanted to downgrade from a CX-5 for lower costs, less room, less fun to drive and less safety. If I lived in an area with bad air at times like the L A valley, I would be more likely to spend more for a plug in to help people with lung problems. Overall, Kia seems to be improving and Nissan is getting worse for reliability and safety.
drinking game ... each time Alex says "little bit" ... take a shot of tequila
Hammer time.
What do you think of the new class of tires specifically designed to reduce road noise in electric vehicles? I forget the manufacturer, but maybe thee are more than one.
So we still don't have any electric pickup trucks yet?
Niro is my choice. No to air cooling.
Have you noticed you say "A little bit..." quite a lot? haha just a random observation. Keep up the great work! You have the most informative reviews BY FAR.
I think the Leaf is beautiful and artistic. The Kia is an acceptable design, but not great.
What happened to "Sunny California"? So many recent videos in the rain. Or maybe they were they all shot on the same rainy day.
It rained on and off till mid-May. It happens occasionally. It is June now, and you won't see the rain till November.
This video brought to you by the state of California and the governments $7,500 rebate. Also liquid cooled vs air cooled battery is a huge difference. Nissan cheaped out
Sales figures will still be the judge
Great review but since you already had review that included these 2 BEVs and the Model 3....What was the reason for this 1 on 1 comparison?
Just like any 1 on 1 video, to just visually highlight differences in a context you just don't get with mentions
FYI in the past Kia Niro EV vs Nissan Leaf vs M3 comparison there was visually highlight differences too...
KIA is a Better Built Car! Korea is doing a fantastic job on all the products they produce! My next car will be a long range Tesla in pearl white with the smaller wheels so I get a higher side wall to give me a more luxurious ride! If I want a car for performance I'll buy the new Tesla sports car coming out 0 to 60 in 2.5 seconds which blows away McLarens, Lamborghinis and Ferraris! When you put the pedal down on an electric car it's a much better feeling than putting the pedal down on a gas car because of the cost and the fact you know you're not polluting the planet. Once you drive an electric car for three days it's hard getting back into a gasoline car.
How about a warranty comparison?
You said the Kia Niro EV has a 7.4 kW on-board charger.. did you mean 7.2 kW? And I would get Kia Niro EV for its longer range, even against LEAF Plus.
The Kia onboard charger in the US is identical to the european unit which is rated for 230V/32A, so commonly called 7.4kW. But on 220V in the US it would do a little over 7kW
@@cros13 Hmm.. .Kia's website site shows it at 7.2 kW: www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/niro-ev/2019/specifications
Renault has been producing EVs for a while in Europe as well, maybe that influenced Nissan a bit.
Niro before the Leaf. But Soul before the Niro.
@Francois Morin, Why the Soul before the Niro?
Were you stroking the Kia's charge port in the rain?! Thanks for testing that for humanity!
My family would choose the Nissan Leaf. But looking at this and made some of us change our minds
Kia nero
kia niro!
What absolutely blows my mind is the fact that both of these vehicles have motors that take up the entire engine bay. WHY?! All EVs should have substantial frunks!!
Lease a Leaf, Buy a Niro IF you can find one even in Kalifornia.
why no split screen, please bring that back
This is so stupid you have to ask yourself how many miles of range you need to pick a car now? And this is supposed to be our future? And the refueling time still sucks.
Nissan has been manufacturing EVs before other manufacturers and still can’t get it right.
KIA Dealers are adding additional $5,000 above sticker price, standard EX $45,000 to the premium $51,700. not worth purchasing ...specially with newer 2020 EV coming out at the end of the year ... The dealer stated their doing this due to: not to much EV cars yet in the market, prices will go down once more competitive EVs are available. hahahahha what a rip off...
Not my dealer.
Niro is just a bit better is many ways.
I would get a Tesla! It's not even close with all these other EV's, Tesla is so far ahead.
@Alex when did you join the illum?
The idea that the KIA needs battery cooling and heating systems go to show that the Nissan has better batteries! Am I the only one with this conclusion? Has anyone really had any serious problem with the Leaf? KIA buys batteries from SK and LG which are both known to make cheap powerful batteries but not reliable! Wake up everyone!!
Definitely the Nero for me
Get the Kia, then swap in a 2JZ and a 6-speed
Nissan leaf all day !
He needs to drop the "a little bit" a little bit. It has become a little bit annoying. Stop it!
want to drink until you reach comatose levels ? Start a drinking game ... each time Alex says "little bit" ... take a shot of tequila
Niro looks to be the better car buy you'll surely get a better deal and service with the Nissan just cause they have have been at the EV game longer.
Very few (almost none) people mentioned this: NHTSA rating for 2020 Leaf, Kona, Bolt, all 5 stars. On the other hand, Niro only scores 4 stars... I was almost getting niro but this is the deal breaker for me.
Leaf because I'm cheap
No contest. Kia.