Compare the2026 Nissan Leaf VS 2027 Chevrolet Equinox EV

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Nissan Leaf achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Chevrolet Equinox EV has not been tested.

The Leaf has standard Secondary Collision Mitigation Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Equinox EV 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.

Both the Leaf and the Equinox EV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available front parking sensors.

The Nissan Leaf achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Equinox EV has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

The Leaf’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Equinox EV’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chevrolet is ranked fifth.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 11 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

The Leaf S’ standard electric motor produces 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (254 vs. 243) than the Equinox EV’s standard electric motor.

As tested in Car and Driver the Leaf + is faster than the Chevrolet Equinox EV electric motor:

	Leaf	Equinox EV
Zero to 60 MPH	6.9 sec	7.7 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	18 sec	22.4 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.9 sec	7.7 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	2.7 sec	2.9 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	3.8 sec	4.7 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	16.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93 MPH	87 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Leaf gets better mileage than the Equinox EV:

			MPGe
Leaf
	FWD	S+ Electric Motor	131 city/111 hwy
		SV+ Electric Motor	122 city/105 hwy
Equinox EV
	FWD	Electric Motor	117 city/100 hwy
	AWD	Electric Motors	112 city/95 hwy
		RS Electric Motors	103 city/88 hwy

The Leaf has a standard locking charge port, which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The Equinox EV doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

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

	Leaf	Equinox EV
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	12.6 inches

The Leaf stops shorter than the Equinox EV:

	Leaf	Equinox EV
70 to 0 MPH	184 feet	189 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	129 feet	136 feet	Motor Trend

The Leaf Platinum+ handles at .83 G’s, while the Equinox EV RS pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Leaf Platinum+ executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Equinox EV RS eAWD (27.2 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Leaf’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the Equinox EV’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The Nissan Leaf may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 800 pounds less than the Chevrolet Equinox EV.

The Leaf is 1 foot, 5.2 inches shorter than the Equinox EV, making the Leaf easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Leaf is 5.6 inches narrower than the Equinox EV, making the Leaf easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Leaf has .7 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom and .8 inches more rear hip room than the Equinox EV.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Leaf to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for tire rotation, based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Chevrolet doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Equinox EV.

The Leaf’s driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the window control, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Equinox EV’s standard driver’s power window switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully.

The Nissan Leaf has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located for the driver. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Chevrolet charges extra for Homelink® on the Equinox EV.

The Leaf Platinum+ has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Equinox EV doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.