Compare the2026 Nissan LeafVS 2025 Volvo EX30

The Nissan Leaf has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The EX30 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Leaf and the EX30 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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 front parking sensors.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Leaf 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the EX30. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the EX30 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Leaf’s warranty.

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 Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 89 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 29th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Volvo With 27 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Nissan higher than Volvo.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 3 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The Leaf +’s standard electric motor produces 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (261 vs. 253) than the EX30’s standard electric motor.

On the EPA test cycle the Leaf gets better mileage than the EX30:

The Leaf can travel longer on a full charge than the EX30 on a full charge:

The Leaf has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The EX30 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 EX30:

The Leaf’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the EX30 are solid, not vented.

The Leaf has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The EX30 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Leaf’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the EX30 (105.9 inches vs. 104.3 inches).

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Leaf Platinum+ is quieter than the EX30 Ultra AWD (68 vs. 69 dB).

The Leaf has .5 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, 5.2 inches more rear hip room and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the EX30.

The Leaf has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the EX30 with its rear seat up (20 vs. 11.2 cubic feet). The Leaf has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the EX30 with its rear seat folded (55.5 vs. 27.8 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Leaf’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The EX30 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Leaf Platinum+’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 EX30 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Leaf Platinum+ has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction, infotainment and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The EX30 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Leaf’s standard power window controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The EX30’s available power window controls are spread out on the center console where they can’t be seen without the driver completely removing his eyes from the road.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Leaf has standard extendable sun visors. The EX30 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Leaf’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The EX30’s power mirror controls are embedded in the infotainment system, seriously distracting drivers who have to adjust them while driving.

Both the Leaf and the EX30 offer available heated front seats. The Leaf Platinum+ also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the EX30.

The Leaf SV+/Platinum+ 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 EX30 doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Both the Leaf and the EX30 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Leaf SV+/Platinum+ has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The EX30 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

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 EX30 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Nissan Leaf outsold the Volvo EX30 by almost 24 to one during 2024.