Compare the2024 Volvo XC40 RechargeVS 2024 Nissan Leaf

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The XC40 Recharge’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Leaf doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the XC40 Recharge and Leaf have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The XC40 Recharge Ultimate has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Leaf’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The XC40 Recharge has standard Post-impact braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Leaf doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The XC40 Recharge Twin Motor 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 XC40 Recharge and Leaf have rear cross-traffic warning, but the XC40 Recharge has Braking Intervention (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Leaf’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the XC40 Recharge and the Leaf 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Volvo XC40 Recharge weighs 553 to 1170 pounds more than the Nissan Leaf. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the XC40 Recharge the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 207 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Leaf has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

The XC40 Recharge comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Leaf’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The XC40 Recharge’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Leaf’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the XC40 Recharge for 4 years and 40,000 miles. Volvo will pay for cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Leaf.

Engine

The XC40 Recharge Single Motor’s standard electric motor produces 101 more horsepower (248 vs. 147) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 236) than the Leaf’s standard electric motor. The XC40 Recharge Single Motor’s electric motor produces 34 more horsepower (248 vs. 214) and 60 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 250) than the Leaf PLUS’ standard electric motor. The XC40 Recharge Twin Motor’s optional electric motors produces 188 more horsepower (402 vs. 214) and 244 lbs.-ft. more torque (494 vs. 250) than the Leaf PLUS’ standard electric motor.

As tested in Car and Driver the XC40 Recharge Twin Motor electric motors is faster than the Leaf PLUS:

	XC40 Recharge	Leaf
Zero to 60 MPH	4.3 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	12.9 sec	15.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	108 MPH	91 MPH
Top Speed	113 MPH	101 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The XC40 Recharge can travel longer on a full charge than the Leaf on a full charge:

			Miles
XC40 Recharge
	FWD	Single Electric Motor	293 miles
	AWD	Twin Electric Motors	254 miles
Leaf
	FWD	SV PLUS Electric Motor	212 miles
		Electric Motor	149 miles

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the XC40 Recharge’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Leaf:

	XC40 Recharge	Leaf
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	11.1 inches
Rear Rotors	13.4 inches	11.5 inches

The XC40 Recharge stops much shorter than the Leaf:

	XC40 Recharge	Leaf
70 to 0 MPH	171 feet	191 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	118 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the XC40 Recharge has larger tires than the Leaf (F:235/50R19 & R:255/45R19 vs. 205/55R16). The XC40 Recharge’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Leaf (F:235/50R19 & R:255/45R19 vs. 215/50R17).

The XC40 Recharge’s standard 235/50R19 front and 255/45R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series front and 45 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Leaf S’ standard 55 series tires. The XC40 Recharge Ultimate’s 235/45R20 front and 255/40R20 rear tires have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear profile than the Leaf SV PLUS’ 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XC40 Recharge has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Leaf S. The XC40 Recharge Ultimate’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels on the Leaf SV PLUS.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Volvo XC40 Recharge 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.

The XC40 Recharge has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Leaf’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XC40 Recharge is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Leaf.

The XC40 Recharge AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the Leaf pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

Passenger Space

The XC40 Recharge has 5.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Leaf (98 vs. 92.4).

The XC40 Recharge has 3 inches more front hip room, 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 2.6 inches more rear legroom, 4.6 inches more rear hip room and 3.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Leaf.

Cargo Capacity

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the XC40 Recharge’s optional rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Leaf doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the XC40 Recharge. The Leaf doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the XC40 Recharge’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Leaf doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Towing

The XC40 Recharge has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Leaf has no towing capacity.

Optional Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the XC40 Recharge uses the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Leaf doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The XC40 Recharge uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Leaf uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the XC40 Recharge, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Leaf doesn’t offer a memory system.

The XC40 Recharge’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Leaf’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows standard on both the XC40 Recharge and the Leaf have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the XC40 Recharge 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 XC40 Recharge’s front and rear power windows all 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.

If the windows are left open on the XC40 Recharge the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Leaf can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The XC40 Recharge’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 XC40 Recharge’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Leaf’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the XC40 Recharge to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Leaf doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The XC40 Recharge’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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The XC40 Recharge offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Leaf doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the XC40 Recharge Plus/Ultimate has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Leaf doesn’t offer cornering lights. The XC40 Recharge Ultimate also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The XC40 Recharge’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.

When the XC40 Recharge is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Leaf’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The XC40 Recharge’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Leaf offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The XC40 Recharge has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the Leaf SV PLUS. The XC40 Recharge also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Leaf.

The XC40 Recharge 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.

The XC40 Recharge’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Leaf doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the XC40 Recharge has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Leaf doesn’t offer rear vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volvo XC40 Recharge has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Leaf doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Recommendations

The Volvo XC40 outsold the Nissan Leaf by almost four to one during 2023.