Compare the2025 Nissan LeafVS 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric

The Nissan Leaf has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Leaf has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Leaf and the Kona Electric have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available daytime running lights, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

There are over 28 percent more Nissan dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Leaf’s warranty.

The Leaf’s standard electric motor produces 14 more horsepower (147 vs. 133) and 48 lbs.-ft. more torque (236 vs. 188) than the Kona Electric SE’s standard electric motor. The Leaf’s electric motor produces 48 lbs.-ft. more torque (236 vs. 188) than the Kona Electric SEL/Limited/N-Line’s standard electric motor. The Leaf PLUS’ standard electric motor produces 13 more horsepower (214 vs. 201) and 62 lbs.-ft. more torque (250 vs. 188) than the Kona Electric SEL/Limited/N-Line’s standard electric motor.

On the EPA test cycle the Leaf gets better mileage than the Kona Electric:

The Leaf SV PLUS can travel longer on a full charge than the Kona Electric SE with its standard motor (212 miles vs. 200 miles).

The Leaf’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Kona Electric are solid, not vented.

The Leaf S’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Kona Electric’s standard 60 series tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Leaf’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the Kona Electric (106.3 inches vs. 104.7 inches).

The Leaf has 1.2 inches more front headroom and .4 inches more front legroom than the Kona Electric.

The Leaf’s driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the window control, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Kona Electric’s standard driver’s power window switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully.

The Leaf’s speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Kona Electric’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.