Compare the2026 Toyota Prius Plug-In HybridVS 2026 Nissan Leaf

The Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Nissan Leaf doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the Prius Plug-In Hybrid and Leaf have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Prius Plug-In Hybrid offers optional Parking Support Brake (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 Prius Plug-In Hybrid and the Leaf have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

There are over 15 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Nissan dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Prius Plug-In Hybrid’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 53 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 23rd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 12th.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 46 more horsepower (220 vs. 174) than the Leaf S’ standard electric motor. The Prius Plug-In Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 6 more horsepower (220 vs. 214) than the Leaf +’s standard electric motor.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid is faster than the Leaf +:

On the EPA test cycle the Prius Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the Leaf:

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid SE’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 606 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Leaf’s range is only 259 to 303 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 35 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid stops shorter than the Leaf:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Prius Plug-In Hybrid’s wheelbase is 2.4 inches longer than on the Leaf (108.3 inches vs. 105.9 inches).

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid XSE handles at .82 G’s, while the Leaf Platinum+ pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Prius Plug-In Hybrid SE’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Leaf’s (34.4 feet vs. 35.4 feet).

The Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 800 pounds less than the Nissan Leaf.

The front grille of the Prius Plug-In 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.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid has 1.5 inches more front hip room, 4.1 inches more rear legroom and .2 inches more rear hip room than the Leaf.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid has a larger cargo volume than the Leaf with its rear seat up (20.3 vs. 20 cubic feet).

The power windows standard on both the Prius Plug-In Hybrid and the Leaf have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Prius Plug-In 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 Prius Plug-In Hybrid’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 Prius Plug-In Hybrid the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Leaf can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid’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 standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Leaf Platinum+.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Prius Plug-In Hybrid XSE Premium 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 Prius Plug-In Hybrid has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Leaf Platinum+.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid XSE Premium’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Leaf doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Prius/Prius Prime was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” twice in the past twenty-five years. The Leaf has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

Motor Trend selected the Prius Plug-In Hybrid as their 2024 Car of the Year. The Leaf has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Prius as the 2024 North American Car of the Year. The Leaf has never been chosen.

The Toyota Prius outsold the Nissan Leaf by over four to one during 2024.