Compare the2023 Nissan LeafVS 2022 Polestar 2

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Leaf are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

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 Polestar 2 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Leaf has standard rear cross-path warning to warn the driver of approaching traffic to help avoid a collision. Polestar charges extra for rear cross-path warning on the Polestar 2.

Both the Leaf and the Polestar 2 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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, rearview cameras, available daytime running lights, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Leaf 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Polestar covers the 2. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Polestar 2 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 41 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Polestar dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Leaf’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Leaf’s reliability 23 points higher than the Polestar 2.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Polestar vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan above average in initial quality. With 161 more problems per 100 vehicles, Polestar is rated below average.

The Leaf PLUS’ standard electric motor produces 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (250 vs. 243) than the Polestar 2 Single Motor’s standard electric motor.

On the EPA test cycle the Leaf gets better mileage than the Polestar 2:

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 Polestar 2 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the Leaf S’ turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the Polestar 2’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.7 feet). The Leaf SV PLUS’ turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Polestar 2’s (36.1 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

The Nissan Leaf may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 to 900 pounds less than the Polestar 2.

The Leaf is 4.9 inches shorter than the Polestar 2, making the Leaf easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Leaf is quieter than the Polestar 2 AWD:

The Leaf has 1.6 inches more front headroom and .3 inches more rear headroom than the Polestar 2.

The Leaf has a much larger trunk than the Polestar 2 with its rear seat up (23.6 vs. 15.5 cubic feet).

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Leaf has a standard rear wiper. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Leaf has standard extendable sun visors. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Consumer Reports® chose the Nissan Leaf as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Polestar 2 isn't recommended.

The Nissan Leaf outsold the Polestar 2 by 45% during 2022.