Compare the2022 Nissan LeafVS 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Nissan Leaf have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Ford Mustang Mach-E doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

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 Mustang Mach-E doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 Mustang Mach-E doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Leaf and the Mustang Mach-E have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan fifth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 14th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan 21st in reliability. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 22nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 9 places higher in reliability than Ford.

On the EPA test cycle the Leaf gets better mileage than the Mustang Mach-E:

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 Mustang Mach-E are solid, not vented.

The Leaf stops shorter than the Mustang Mach-E:

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 Mustang Mach-E’s standard 60 series tires.

The Leaf has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Mustang Mach-E doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the Leaf S’ turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the Mustang Mach-E’s (34.8 feet vs. 38.1 feet). The Leaf SV/SL’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Mustang Mach-E’s (36.1 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The Nissan Leaf may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 900 to 1100 pounds less than the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

The Leaf is 9.2 inches shorter than the Mustang Mach-E, making the Leaf easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces. The Leaf is 10.3 inches shorter than the Mustang Mach-E GT.

The Leaf has a standard locking charge port door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage to the charging system. The Mustang Mach-E doesn’t offer a locking charge port.

Insurance will cost less for the Leaf owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Leaf will cost $740 to $4165 less than the Mustang Mach-E over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Nissan Leaf will be $9511 to $12193 less than for the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Nissan Leaf and the Ford Mustang Mach-E, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Nissan Leaf outsold the Ford Mustang Mach-E by 3188 to one during 2020.