Compare the2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6VS 2024 Nissan Leaf

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

Safety

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The Ioniq 6 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 Ioniq 6 and Leaf have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Ioniq 6 has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (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 Ioniq 6 and the Leaf have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is safer than the Leaf:

	Ioniq 6	Leaf
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	124	211
Neck Compression	-89 lbs.	67 lbs.
Shoulder Deflection	.83 in	1.14 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	892 lbs.	1093 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Compression	-45 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.59 in	1.54 in
Shoulder Force	156 lbs.	335 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.71 in	1.38 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	870 lbs.	937 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned an “Acceptable” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Leaf is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Warranty

The Ioniq 6 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Leaf’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Ioniq 6 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Leaf. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Leaf ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Ioniq 6’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Leaf’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Ioniq 6 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Leaf.

Reliability

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 Ioniq 6’s reliability 24 points higher than the Leaf.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 57 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 6 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The Ioniq 6 has more powerful engines than the Leaf:

	Horsepower	Torque
Ioniq 6 Standard Range electric motor	149 HP	258 lbs.-ft.
Ioniq 6 Long Range electric motor	225 HP	258 lbs.-ft.
Ioniq 6 electric motors	320 HP	446 lbs.-ft.
Leaf electric motor	147 HP	236 lbs.-ft.
Leaf PLUS electric motor	214 HP	250 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Car and Driver the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is faster than the Leaf PLUS:

	Ioniq 6 Long Range	Ioniq 6 electric motors	Leaf
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	4.3 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	13.1 sec	15.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95 MPH	104 MPH	91 MPH
Top Speed	116 MPH	118 MPH	101 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Ioniq 6 gets better mileage than the Leaf:

			MPGe
Ioniq 6
	RWD	SE Long Range Electric Motor	153 city/127 hwy
		Standard Range Electric Motor	151 city/120 hwy
		SEL/Limited Electric Motor	129 city/105 hwy
	AWD	SE Electric Motors	130 city/111 hwy
Leaf
	FWD	Electric Motor	123 city/99 hwy
		SV PLUS Electric Motor	121 city/98 hwy

The Ioniq 6 can travel longer on a full charge than the Leaf on a full charge:

			Miles
Ioniq 6
	RWD	SE Long Range Electric Motor	361 miles
		SEL/Limited Electric Motor	305 miles
		Standard Range Electric Motor	240 miles
	AWD	SE Electric Motors	316 miles
		SEL/Limited Electric Motors	270 miles
Leaf
	FWD	SV PLUS Electric Motor	212 miles
		Electric Motor	149 miles

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Ioniq 6’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Leaf:

	Ioniq 6	Leaf
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	11.1 inches
Rear Rotors	12.8 inches	11.5 inches

The Ioniq 6 stops much shorter than the Leaf:

	Ioniq 6	Leaf
70 to 0 MPH	168 feet	191 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	116 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Ioniq 6 has larger standard tires than the Leaf (225/55R18 vs. 205/55R16). The Ioniq 6 SEL/Limited’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Leaf (245/40R20 vs. 215/50R17).

The Ioniq 6 SEL/Limited’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Leaf SV PLUS’ 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Ioniq 6 SE has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Leaf S. The Ioniq 6 SEL/Limited’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 Hyundai Ioniq 6 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 Ioniq 6 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 a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Ioniq 6’s wheelbase is 9.8 inches longer than on the Leaf (116.1 inches vs. 106.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Ioniq 6 is 3.9 inches wider in the front and 3.6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Leaf.

The Ioniq 6’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Leaf’s (57.3% to 42.7%). This gives the Ioniq 6 more stable handling and braking.

The Ioniq 6 Limited AWD handles at .87 G’s, while the Leaf pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Ioniq 6 Limited AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.6 seconds quicker than the Leaf (25.6 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

Chassis

The design of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 amounts to more than styling. The Ioniq 6 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .22 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Leaf (.28) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Ioniq 6 get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the Ioniq 6 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.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Ioniq 6 SE is quieter than the Leaf (63 vs. 67 dB).

Passenger Space

The Ioniq 6 has 10.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Leaf (103 vs. 92.4).

The Ioniq 6 has 3.3 inches more front legroom, 3.5 inches more front hip room, 3.7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear legroom, 1.1 inches more rear hip room and 4.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Leaf.

Cargo Capacity

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Ioniq 6’s power trunk can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Ioniq 6’s power trunk can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Leaf doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Servicing Ease

The Ioniq 6 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 Ioniq 6 Limited, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Leaf doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Ioniq 6 Limited’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Leaf doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Ioniq 6’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 Ioniq 6 and the Leaf have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Ioniq 6 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 Ioniq 6 SEL/Limited’s front power windows open fully with one touch of the switches, and the driver’s window also automatically closes, 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.

On a hot day the Ioniq 6’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Leaf can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Ioniq 6’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 Ioniq 6 Limited’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Leaf’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Ioniq 6’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.

The Ioniq 6’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 Ioniq 6 Limited 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.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Ioniq 6 Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Leaf doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Ioniq 6 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 Ioniq 6’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 Ioniq 6 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 Hyundai Ioniq 6 SEL/Limited has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Leaf doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Ioniq 6 Limited has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the rear seat, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Leaf doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Ioniq 6 Limited’s Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Leaf doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Ioniq 6, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Nissan Leaf isn't recommended.

The Hyundai Ioniq outsold the Nissan Leaf by 82% during 2023.

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