Compare the2022 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In HybridVS 2022 Nissan Leaf

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has standard Blue Link, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Leaf doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid and the Leaf have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 214 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Leaf has not been fully tested, yet.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Leaf’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Leaf. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Leaf ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Leaf’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Leaf.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 7th in reliability, above the industry average. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 21st.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 7 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

On the EPA test cycle the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the Leaf:

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s maximum EPA estimated driving range on a full tank of fuel and a full charge is 592.8 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Leaf’s range is only 226 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 45 minutes for only a 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a conventional charging station can take up to 53 hours and 40 minutes.

For superior ride and handling, the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Nissan Leaf has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has standard front gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Leaf’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The design of the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid amounts to more than styling. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .24 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Leaf (.28) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Leaf doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has 3.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Leaf (96.2 vs. 92.4).

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has .1 inches more front legroom, 2.1 inches more front hip room, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear legroom, 2.9 inches more rear hip room and 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Leaf.

When different drivers share the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid, the optional memory seats make it convenient. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Leaf doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Leaf’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows standard on both the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid and the Leaf have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Leaf prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s optional front power windows open fully with one touch of the switches, and the driver’s window also automatically closes, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Leaf’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Leaf’s power lock and cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Leaf doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Leaf SV/SL.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Leaf doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Leaf doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid will retain 42.35% to 42.47% of its original price after five years, while the Leaf only retains 30.45% to 30.6%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid will be $6394 to $12214 less than for the Nissan Leaf.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid and the Nissan Leaf, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Hyundai Ioniq outsold the Nissan Leaf by 35% during the 2021 model year.