Compare the2023 Subaru Crosstrek HybridVS 2023 Nissan Leaf

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Crosstrek Hybrid has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Leaf doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Crosstrek 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, 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 and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is safer than the Nissan Leaf:

	Crosstrek Hybrid	Leaf
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	122	270
Neck Injury Risk	44.6%	49%
Neck Stress	195 lbs.	233 lbs.
Neck Compression	52 lbs.	86 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	230/427 lbs.	209/461 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is safer than the Nissan Leaf:

	Crosstrek Hybrid	Leaf
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.8 inches
Hip Force	346 lbs.	377 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	428 lbs.	887 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Crosstrek Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 101 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Leaf has not been fully tested, yet.

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 5 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Crosstrek Hybrid lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Leaf doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 492 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Leaf’s range is only 149 to 212 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 40 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge using a conventional 110-volt outlet can take up to 53 hours and 40 minutes.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Crosstrek Hybrid’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Leaf:

	Crosstrek Hybrid	Leaf
Front Rotors	11.6 inches	11.1 inches

The Crosstrek Hybrid stops much shorter than the Leaf:

	Crosstrek Hybrid	Leaf
60 to 0 MPH	129 feet	141 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	136 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Crosstrek Hybrid has larger tires than the Leaf (225/55R18 vs. 205/55R16). The Crosstrek Hybrid’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Leaf (225/55R18 vs. 215/50R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Crosstrek Hybrid has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Leaf S. The Leaf’s largest wheels are only 17-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Subaru Crosstrek 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.

Chassis

The front grille of the Crosstrek 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.

Passenger Space

The Crosstrek Hybrid has 8.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Leaf (100.8 vs. 92.4).

The Crosstrek Hybrid has 1 inch more front legroom, 3.4 inches more front hip room, 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 3.2 inches more rear legroom, 4 inches more rear hip room and 3.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Leaf.

Cargo Capacity

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Crosstrek Hybrid. The Leaf doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Crosstrek Hybrid has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Leaf has no towing capacity.

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the Crosstrek Hybrid and the Leaf have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Crosstrek 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 Crosstrek Hybrid’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, 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.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Crosstrek Hybrid’s exterior PIN entry system. The Leaf doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

To lock it, the door handles on the Leaf must be held while closing the door. On the Crosstrek Hybrid you just lock the door and close it, which makes it easier to lock up, especially when your hands are full.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Leaf’s power window (except driver window) and power lock switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Leaf S’ standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Crosstrek Hybrid has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Leaf doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Crosstrek 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 PLUS.

The Crosstrek 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.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Crosstrek Hybrid has standard rear heat vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Leaf doesn’t offer rear vents.

Economic Advantages

The Crosstrek Hybrid will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Crosstrek Hybrid will retain 51.71% of its original price after five years, while the Leaf only retains 31.29% to 31.72%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid and the Nissan Leaf, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Crosstrek outsold the Nissan Leaf by almost 11 to one during the 2022 model year.