2021 head-to-head · Midsize Car

2021 Nissan Leaf vs Toyota Prius Prime

MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$821/ year to fuel
111 MPGe
✓ Cheaper to run
$763/ year to fuel
133 MPGe + 54 MPG

FWD · 1.8L 4-cyl · CVT · 133 MPGe + 54 MPG

On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2021 Nissan Leaf (111 MPGe) costs about $821 a year to fuel and the 2021 Toyota Prius Prime (133 MPGe + 54 MPG) about $763.

Your numbers

Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.

Fuel cost over 10 years

  • Nissan Leaf
  • Toyota Prius Prime

Side by side

Nissan LeafToyota Prius Prime
$821 Your annual fuel cost $763
111 MPGe Combined efficiency 133 MPGe + 54 MPG
123 MPGe City 145 MPGe / 55 MPG
99 MPGe Highway 121 MPGe / 53 MPG
30.4 kWh Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) 25 kWh
149 mi Driving range 640 mi
— All-electric range 25 mi
92 cu ft Passenger volume 91 cu ft
24 cu ft Cargo volume 20 cu ft
0 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 78 g/mi
10/10 EPA fuel economy score 10/10
10/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 10/10
8 hrs Charge time at 240V 2 hrs
Electric Powertrain Plug-in hybrid
Electricity Fuel Regular gas + electricity
Electric motor (110 kW) Engine / motor 1.8L 4-cyl
Single-speed Transmission CVT
FWD Drivetrain FWD

✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.

Nissan Leaf vs Toyota Prius Prime across model years

  • Nissan Leaf
  • Toyota Prius Prime

Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.

How they differ

The Toyota Prius Prime goes farther between stops: about 640 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 149 miles for the Nissan Leaf.

Per EPA interior volume figures, the Nissan Leaf has more cargo space (24 vs. 20 cu ft).

Among 54 2021 midsize cars, the Nissan Leaf ranks 5th and the Toyota Prius Prime 3rd for lowest fuel cost.

Because the Nissan Leaf is fully electric, it has no tailpipe emissions and its running cost depends almost entirely on your electricity rate. Cheap overnight home charging widens its advantage over the Toyota Prius Prime; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Nissan Leaf or the 2021 Toyota Prius Prime?

Measured by cost to drive, the Toyota Prius Prime. The Nissan Leaf is rated 111 MPGe combined and the Toyota Prius Prime 133 MPGe + 54 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Nissan Leaf vs. the Toyota Prius Prime per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, about $821 for the Nissan Leaf and $763 for the Toyota Prius Prime.

Which has more range?

The Toyota Prius Prime: about 640 miles versus 149 miles.

Which has more cargo space?

The Nissan Leaf, with 24 cu ft of luggage volume versus 20 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).

Nissan Leaf vs Toyota Prius Prime in other years

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