2021 Nissan Leaf vs 2021 Hyundai Ioniq

[deexp]

My parents have a 2015 Leaf as a second car that they have owned for nearly 7 years now, and they would like to upgrade to something newer (2021 - 2022). We haven't test driven either car yet but I have done lots of research on both. It seems like reviewers say the Leaf is better, while forums prefer the Ioniq. The budget is £12000 and I can get a 2021 model of each car in the top trim levels with under 30k miles for that price. Their main requirements are that it is very comfortable, easy to drive and park, and can fit 4 adults plus a weekly shop without trouble. The range is not a concern as they have a hybrid to use for longer journeys, but being able to easily do 100 miles is helpful.

Which of these is better?

[autocrazy]

Duplicate post, but I did not want to miss it, so following here too!
Watching this thread with interest. I too have heard great things about Ioniq, but the new Leaf is interesting proposition too!

[deexp]

autocrazy said:

Duplicate post, but I did not want to miss it, so following here too!
Watching this thread with interest. I too have heard great things about Ioniq, but the new Leaf is interesting proposition too!

Yeah, i saw your comment on the other post. I posted it there, then realised that there was a dedicated EV forum which I didn't know existed, so I had to repost for the experts here!

[Peedeebee]

Not sure if it's helpful, but I've been mulling over the same, albeit with a lower initial budget that's being pushed up a bit to match yours. I'm almost decided on a MG Zs EV, just it's a shame some of the colours aren't great. It's got a good boot which was important for us as I've got another baby on the way.

[TooLateForAName]

I found the ioniq a bit small (internal space) and had poor visibility.
Much more efficient and reliable though.

Leafs have no thermal management of battery (so battery degradation is v much a thing for leafs), chademo and type 1 charging - depending on how long they want to keep it that might become an issue for future resale. Better internal space though.

leaf will be out of warranty, but hyundai is 5 yr warranty.

[deexp]

Peedeebee said:

Not sure if it's helpful, but I've been mulling over the same, albeit with a lower initial budget that's being pushed up a bit to match yours. I'm almost decided on a MG Zs EV, just it's a shame some of the colours aren't great. It's got a good boot which was important for us as I've got another baby on the way.

I suggested the MG ZS or the MG5 but my dad doesn't fancy them and would rather stick to a more established brand. They also don't live near to an MG dealership. The boot space isn't a concern at all as they also have an Outlander. As for colours, my dad wants black or grey anyway. Is the MG your first EV?

[deexp]

TooLateForAName said:

I found the ioniq a bit small (internal space) and had poor visibility.
Much more efficient and reliable though.

Leafs have no thermal management of battery (so battery degradation is v much a thing for leafs), chademo and type 1 charging - depending on how long they want to keep it that might become an issue for future resale. Better internal space though.

leaf will be out of warranty, but hyundai is 5 yr warranty.

That's quite helpful, thanks. With the 2015 Leaf, my dad purchased it in 2018 with all the bars of battery health, and after 6.5 years and 25k miles, and only regular servicing, it only lost one bar (out of 12) of health. Our experience is therefore pretty good with the Leaf's battery health. Did Nissan change something with the Mk2?

As for the Ioniq, we really do need to go for a test drive, but most of the time, it will just be two adults, with only occasional backseat use.

They also only used public chargers with the Leaf once, when their other car has in the shop for a month, but even that was Type 2, so I don't think charging is an issue, although resale rate might be.

The Ioniq having a long warranty is a bonus too. The website wasn't super clear, though - is the 5 year warranty topped off if you buy an AUC or a Promise car, or do you just get the remainder of it?

[Peedeebee]

deexp said:

I suggested the MG ZS or the MG5 but my dad doesn't fancy them and would rather stick to a more established brand. They also don't live near to an MG dealership. The boot space isn't a concern at all as they also have an Outlander. As for colours, my dad wants black or grey anyway. Is the MG your first EV?

That's fair enough :-) Yes, it's our first EV. We needed a replacement second car and an EV fits the bill and the complete opposite end of the spectrum to the Discovery 4 we've got when we need to transport baby-to-be and paraphernalia, nearly 5 yr old, a spaniel and a lanky 16 yr old (when he's bored of his mums!) Leaf still is up there for me as there's more selection definitely, but the worry about older battery and charging tech does play on my mind. It might have a perfect range for the daily run around usage, but if it dropped off and we found ourselves wanting to use it instead of the Disco, then charging might be a consideration.

[sjg]

Leaf is taller (it's crossover SUV dimensions just not styled as one) which definitely helps with ease of access. 360 cameras on midrange upwards make parking easier. e-Pedal gives you strong regen and will bring the car to a complete stop which is great in traffic

Ioniq is more efficient particularly at motorway speeds, has CCS rather than Chademo charging, and the top spec ones get ventilated seats and electric/memory functions.

Leaf warranty is 3 years main, 5 years on EV powertrain, 8 years for battery capacity. Nissan wrap up a warranty, annual service, MOT and breakdown cover for 3-10 year old cars for £36 a month or £432 a year if you did want to keep a warranty going.

I've been very happy with my 62kwh Leaf, it'll probably have to go back at the end of PCP as the end payment will be more than it's worth but I'll likely pick up a used 40kwh Tekna to replace it. Does everything we need really well.

[sjg]

deexp said:

That's quite helpful, thanks. With the 2015 Leaf, my dad purchased it in 2018 with all the bars of battery health, and after 6.5 years and 25k miles, and only regular servicing, it only lost one bar (out of 12) of health. Our experience is therefore pretty good with the Leaf's battery health. Did Nissan change something with the Mk2?

mk2 still have "bars" but it's buried in the dash menus - though it's very rare to see even early high milers with less than full bars (ie above 85% SoH). You can plug in a OBD dongle and run Leafspy to get the actual percentage for state of health.

mk2 is Type 2 charging port for AC so same as all modern EVs, although it is Chademo for DC. The issues of thermal management really aren't an issue for something used as a runabout and sub-100 mile trips.

[Quadratica]

I have an Ioniq 2021.

Good: very efficient, range 180-220, nice interior,very smooth, quiet for me but I have bad hearing, good heating, tech is pleasing and easy to use, fast even in eco mode, feels well made.

Bad: 4th year service is expensive (c£600) unless some of the work was done in a free recall, check this. I am mid 50s, slim and fit but the Ioniq is hard to get in and out of, I often bump my head. Boot is awkward shape, no rear wiper, visibility is poor, LV will not insure Ioniq EV, headlights not very bright.

I also drive a 2021 LEAF prior to buying the Ioniq but I didn't buy it because it came with one key. It was a short test drive and it felt faster and smoother than Ioniq but it is less efficient . LEAF is also extremely durable and reliable.