Compare the2023 Nissan LeafVS 2023 BMW i4

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Nissan Leaf are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW i4 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 i4 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

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 i4 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Leaf and the i4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Leaf 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the i4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the i4 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 3 times as many Nissan dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Leaf’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the Leaf gets better mileage than the i4:

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 i4 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the Leaf S’ turning circle is 6.2 feet tighter than the i4’s (34.8 feet vs. 41 feet). The Leaf SV PLUS’ turning circle is 4.9 feet tighter than the i4’s (36.1 feet vs. 41 feet).

The Nissan Leaf may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1100 to 1150 pounds less than the BMW i4.

The Leaf is 1 foot shorter than the i4, making the Leaf easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Leaf a Mid-size car, while the i4 is rated a Compact.

The Leaf has 2.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the i4 (92.4 vs. 90).

The Leaf has 3 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom and .7 inches more rear headroom than the i4.

The Leaf has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the i4 (23.6 vs. 10 cubic feet).

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Leaf has a standard rear wiper. The i4 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 i4 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Insurance will cost less for the Leaf owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Leaf will cost $3835 to $7475 less than the i4 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 $21995 to $23203 less than for the BMW i4.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Nissan Leaf as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.