Compare the2023 Nissan LeafVS 2023 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 its 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.

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 18 points higher than the Mustang Mach-E.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 3 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 PLUS’ 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 1050 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.

Insurance will cost less for the Leaf owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Leaf will cost $1150 to $4160 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 $9069 to $14934 less than for the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

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