The Future of Electric: Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Nissan Leaf
The electric vehicle market has come a long way in the past decade. What was once a niche segment with limited choices is now brimming with compelling options from both EV startups and established automakers. Two very different contenders in this increasingly crowded space are the Nissan Leaf and Hyundai Ioniq 5.
The Leaf is the grizzled veteran, having first hit the roads way back in 2010 when EVs were still a novelty. The Ioniq 5 is the up-and-coming rookie, bursting onto the scene in 2021 with its head-turning style and impressive tech.
Both have their merits, but which emerges victorious in a head-to-head battle? Let‘s take a deep dive and find out.
Trailblazer vs Transformer
The Nissan Leaf was genuinely groundbreaking when it launched as the first mass-produced electric car from a major automaker. With its affordable price, spacious interior, and user-friendly design, the Leaf helped prove that EVs could work as daily drivers for average consumers.
Over 500,000 Leafs have been sold globally since 2010, making it one of the most popular EVs ever. But a lot has changed in the EV world since the early 2010s. Upstarts like Tesla have totally reset expectations for electric cars in terms of range, performance, and tech features.
Enter the Hyundai Ioniq 5. While Hyundai has sold EVs before, like the Kona Electric, the Ioniq 5 establishes an entirely new line of Ioniq electric models. With its own dedicated EV platform, 800-volt electrical architecture, and bold styling, the Ioniq 5 seeks to redefine what‘s possible for electric vehicles.
The Ioniq 5‘s angular, pixel-like front end and boxy proportions give it a striking neo-retro vibe – almost like a futuristic riff on the classic DMC DeLorean. It immediately turns heads in a way that the conservatively-styled Leaf simply doesn‘t. Score one for the young gun.
Watts Going On Under the Hood
Powering the Nissan Leaf is a 40kWh lithium-ion battery pack on the base S trim, or a 62kWh pack on the SV Plus and SL Plus. The standard battery enables a range of just 149 miles, while the big pack bumps that up to 226 miles. Those numbers were solid a few years ago but now lag behind the ranges of 250+ miles offered by many competitors.
The Leaf puts out 147 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque with the base battery, or 214 hp and 250 lb-ft with the larger pack. The extra power makes the Plus models significantly quicker, able to scoot from 0-60 mph in around 6.5 seconds.
Hyundai equips the Ioniq 5 with a choice of 58kWh or 77.4kWh battery packs. Estimated range is 220 miles for the smaller battery and 303 miles for the big one with RWD, or 256 miles for AWD. That‘s on par with rivals like the Volkswagen ID.4 and Ford Mustang Mach-E, and well ahead of the Leaf.
A single rear motor is standard on the Ioniq 5, with a dual-motor AWD setup optional. Power outputs range from 168hp and 258 lb-ft for the base model up to 320hp and 446 lb-ft for the AWD. Even the lowly base powertrain delivers snappy acceleration, while the dual-motor version can rip from 0-60 mph in just over 5 seconds.
So the Ioniq 5 offers both significantly longer range and more potent performance than the Leaf. Point to Hyundai again.
Fast Charging & Long Hauling
Charging times are another key differentiator between these rivals. When plugged into a 240V Level 2 charger, the Nissan Leaf takes between 8-11 hours to fully refill depending on battery size. At a 50kW DC fast charger, the Leaf can go from 20-80% charge in around 60 minutes.
Not bad, but the Ioniq 5 moves the goalposts for charging speed. Thanks to its 800V charging capability, it can take full advantage of the latest 350kW DC fast chargers. According to Hyundai, 18 minutes is all you need to boost the battery from 10-80% at those power levels. It effectively eliminates range anxiety, allowing for easy long-distance travel in the Ioniq 5. Level 2 charging takes about 6 hours for the smaller battery and 8 for the big one – notably quicker than the Leaf.
Hyundai also provides 2 years of free 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America stations for Ioniq 5 owners. Nissan offers no such perk for Leaf buyers. Another tally for Team Hyundai.
Inside Story
The Leaf and Ioniq 5 both seat five in comfort, but the Hyundai‘s cabin has an unmistakably more modern and premium feel. Its minimalist horizontal dash is dominated by a pair of crisp 12.3" displays – one serving as a digital gauge cluster, the other a responsive central touchscreen controlling infotainment, climate, and vehicle settings. The front seats can even fully recline to create an impromptu relaxation space while fast charging.
Materials quality is also a cut above in the Hyundai, with copious soft-touch surfaces and classy switchgear. Subtle retro-pixel design motifs tie the interior and exterior together nicely. Passenger space is expansive thanks to the long 118" wheelbase, with stellar rear legroom and a flat floor. Cargo volume behind the rear seats is 27.2 cubic feet, more than the Leaf‘s 23.6 cubes.
The Leaf‘s interior is less visually exciting but still pleasant and functional. Nissan‘s "Gliding Wing" dash design flows smoothly into the doors. Physical buttons and knobs remain for many controls, which some may prefer to an entirely touch-based interface. But the Leaf‘s 8" central touchscreen looks rather small and basic compared to the Ioniq 5‘s big displays. Overall passenger and cargo space is decent, but a step down from the cavernous Hyundai.
Technology is another area where the Ioniq 5 leapfrogs the Leaf. It can be equipped with a sharp augmented reality head-up display, 360-degree camera system, blind-spot cameras, a dashcam, and smart park assist. Wireless phone charging, heated/ventilated seats, and an excellent 8-speaker Bose audio system are also on the menu.
The Leaf offers more basic equipment like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, navigation, and Bose audio on higher trims. But it can‘t match the Ioniq 5‘s tech tour de force.
Safety is well covered by both vehicles at least. They each provide adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist. The Leaf includes Nissan‘s ProPILOT semi-autonomous driving mode. Hyundai equips the Ioniq 5 with its Highway Driving Assist II system which combines adaptive cruise and lane centering.
How do they drive?
On the road, both the Leaf and Ioniq 5 deliver the smooth, silent, and instant acceleration that makes electric cars so enjoyable to drive. The Leaf‘s steering is light and its suspension is tuned for comfort over sportiness. It‘s an easy car to drive, but not a particularly engaging one – even with the extra power of the Plus models.
The Ioniq 5 has more liveliness in its handling and a greater sense of poise thanks to its low center of gravity and near 50/50 weight distribution. It‘s happy to be hustled through corners, with linear and nicely-weighted steering. The ride is on the firmer side but never punishing. It‘s more playful and rewarding for the driver than the Leaf, while still remaining refined.
Pricing and Warranties
Nissan positions the Leaf very competitively, with a starting price of just $27,400 for the base S trim with the 40kWh battery. The longer-range S Plus starts at $32,400. Top SL Plus models can reach into the mid $40k range with all the options. But with the average new EV selling for over $60k today according to Kelley Blue Book, the Leaf represents strong value for an electric car.
The Ioniq 5 is pricier, starting at $41,450 for a rear-drive SE model before any incentives. But it also includes more standard equipment than the Leaf at that level. Most notably, only the Ioniq 5 is still eligible for the $7500 federal EV tax credit – Nissan has exhausted their allotment of credits already. Hyundai will cover that $7500 and then knock another $7500 off the price for leases in certain ZEV states as an added incentive. Mid-level SEL trims begin around $47,500 and a loaded Limited AWD can top $56,000.
While its bottom line cost is higher than the Leaf, you get significantly more range, performance, and amenities for your money with the Ioniq 5. Resale values are also predicted to be strong on Hyundai‘s new EV.
Both makers provide competitive warranty coverage. Nissan offers an 8 year/100,000 mile battery warranty and 3 years/36,000 miles of basic warranty. Hyundai ups the ante with a class-leading 10 year/100,000 mile drivetrain warranty, 5 years/60,000 miles of basic warranty, plus 3 years/36,000 miles of free maintenance.
Reliability should be excellent on both vehicles given the inherent simplicity and low maintenance of EVs in general. But Hyundai‘s longer warranty provides extra peace of mind.
Plugging In
Access to a convenient and reliable charging network is a critical consideration for EV ownership. Nissan has partnered with EVgo to provide the largest DC fast charging network for Leaf owners, with over 30,000 charging points across the U.S. Many Nissan dealers also have their own DC fast chargers.
Hyundai works with Electrify America and ChargePoint, which together offer over 3,000 fast charging stations in the U.S. so far. While not as extensive as Nissan‘s network yet, Electrify America has been rapidly expanding and plans to double its number of charging stations by 2025.
Both networks are more than sufficient for most EV owners who do the majority of their charging at home overnight. But the Leaf does have a slight edge for now in terms of overall charging locations.
The Road Ahead
As compelling as the Ioniq 5 is, it‘s really just the start of Hyundai‘s ambitious electrification plans. An Ioniq 6 sedan and larger Ioniq 7 SUV are already in the pipeline, all riding on the same advanced E-GMP platform as the 5. Hyundai is investing over $10 billion to accelerate their EV development, with a goal of 23 new battery-powered models by 2025.
Meanwhile, Nissan has been slower to expand their EV offerings beyond the Leaf and Ariya crossover. We know a next-generation Leaf is in the works, likely arriving as a 2024 model with styling cues from the Ariya, longer range, and faster charging capability. Nissan‘s new CMF-EV platform will eventually spawn a range of models including city cars, sedans, and SUVs. But the pace of Nissan‘s EV rollout looks more conservative than Hyundai‘s aggressive push.
Which One Wins?
So which of these battery-powered combatants claims victory? The Nissan Leaf still deserves respect for helping popularize EVs and remains a solid choice for eco-conscious drivers on a budget. For those with short commutes and easy access to charging, the Leaf‘s low price of entry could make it appealing. It‘s an excellent first EV or second runabout.
But for most buyers in 2022, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is simply the more advanced, more capable, and ultimately more desirable EV. Its cutting-edge tech, long range, spacious interior, and head-turning style make it feel like the future of zero-emissions motoring.
The Ioniq 5 has scooped up armloads of awards since its launch, including World Car of the Year, World Electric Vehicle of the Year, and World Car Design of the Year for 2022. If you can swing the higher monthly payment, the Ioniq 5 delivers a thoroughly convincing taste of tomorrow‘s transportation, today.
In the battle between Korea and Japan, youth trumps experience this time. The Ioniq 5‘s fresher formula gives it the edge over the pioneering but aging Leaf. Nissan‘s EV legend may rise again with the next Leaf, but for now, Hyundai‘s electric upstart reigns supreme.
