Compare the2026 Toyota bZVS 2025 Nissan Leaf

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

Safety

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The bZ has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies 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 bZ 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 bZ and Leaf have rear cross-traffic warning, but the bZ has 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 bZ and the Leaf 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota bZ is safer than the Nissan Leaf:

	bZ	Leaf
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	227	270
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	37%	49%
Neck Stress	130 lbs.	233 lbs.
Neck Compression	25 lbs.	86 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	223/195 lbs.	209/461 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota bZ is safer than the Nissan Leaf:

	bZ	Leaf
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	103	131
Chest Movement	.4 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	86 lbs.	137 lbs.
Hip Force	237 lbs.	377 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	223	257
Spine Acceleration	46 G’s	48 G’s
Hip Force	609 lbs.	887 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	9 inches	13 inches

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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 Toyota bZ is safer than the Leaf:

	bZ	Leaf
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	105	211
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	201 lbs.
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.51 in	1.14 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	245 lbs.
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	870 lbs.	1093 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.63 in	1.54 in
Shoulder Force	223 lbs.	335 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.18 in	1.38 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	647 lbs.	937 lbs.

The Toyota bZ has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” 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 2025.

Warranty

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

Reliability

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.

Engine

The bZ has more powerful engines than the Leaf:

	Horsepower
bZ XLE electric motor	168 HP
bZ XLE Plus/Limited electric motor	221 HP
bZ electric motors	338 HP
Leaf electric motor	147 HP
Leaf PLUS electric motor	214 HP

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota bZ electric motors is faster than the Leaf PLUS:

	bZ	Leaf
Zero to 60 MPH	4.4 sec	6.5 sec
Quarter Mile	13.1 sec	15.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	101.7 MPH	93.3 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			Miles
bZ
	FWD	XLE Plus Electric Motor	314 miles
		XLE Electric Motor	236 miles
	AWD	XLE Electric Motors	288 miles
		Limited Electric Motors	278 miles
Leaf
	FWD	SV PLUS Electric Motor	212 miles
		Electric Motor	149 miles

Brakes and Stopping

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

	bZ	Leaf
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	11.1 inches
Rear Rotors	12.5 inches	11.5 inches

The bZ stops much shorter than the Leaf:

	bZ	Leaf
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	191 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the bZ has larger tires than the Leaf (235/60R18 vs. 205/55R16). The bZ XLE’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Leaf (235/60R18 vs. 215/50R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the bZ XLE has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Leaf S. The bZ 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 Toyota bZ 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the bZ’s wheelbase is 5.9 inches longer than on the Leaf (112.2 inches vs. 106.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the bZ is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Leaf.

The bZ’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (56% to 44%) than the Leaf’s (57.3% to 42.7%). This gives the bZ more stable handling and braking.

The bZ Limited AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the Leaf pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Passenger Space

The bZ has 2.7 inches more front hip room, 3.5 inches more front shoulder room, 1.8 inches more rear legroom and 3.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Leaf.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the bZ’s rear seats recline. The Leaf’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the bZ’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.

Ergonomics

When different drivers share the bZ Limited, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient. 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 bZ 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 bZ’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 bZ and the Leaf have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the bZ 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 bZ’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 bZ the driver can close them all 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 operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The bZ’s standard Smart Key System allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Intelligent Key standard on the Leaf doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The bZ’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.

The bZ’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 bZ’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 bZ 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.

Both the Toyota bZ and Nissan Leaf offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The bZ features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Leaf’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

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

Standard air-conditioned seats in the bZ 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 bZ has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Leaf SV PLUS.

The bZ 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 bZ’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 bZ has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Leaf doesn’t offer rear vents.

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

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota bZ has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console for up to separate devices,. The Leaf doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The bZ Limited’s 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.

Recommendations

The Toyota bZ outsold the Nissan Leaf by 76% during 2024.

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