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 is better?

[autocrazy]

Watching this thread with interest. I too have heard great things about Ioniq, but the new Leaf is interesting proposition too!

[Pistonheadsdicoverer]

I have the new Leaf. Never used the Ioniq.
Leaf is as big as some smaller SUVs around so don't get fooled by its size.
Love the fact that it still has proper buttons for things like heated steering and front/rear heated seats (Tekna model)
On the other hand, the map and infotainment seem very dated.

[deexp]

Pistonheadsdicoverer said:

I have the new Leaf. Never used the Ioniq.
Leaf is as big as some smaller SUVs around so don't get fooled by its size.
Love the fact that it still has proper buttons for things like heated steering and front/rear heated seats (Tekna model)
On the other hand, the map and infotainment seem very dated.

We do love the size of our Leaf. What year is yours? How reliable has it been, and would you recommend it? Our 2015 has had no problems since we bought it in 2018, and we would love for that streak to continue.

[Pistonheadsdicoverer]

deexp said:

We do love the size of our Leaf. What year is yours? How reliable has it been, and would you recommend it? Our 2015 has had no problems since we bought it in 2018, and we would love for that streak to continue.

It is the latest model. I think it is 2021?
It is a lease. It is the daily driver for my OH.
Range could be better but we got it in November and have yet to try it in the summer.
It is one of the cheapest cars out there on leasing (the other being the Spring) and if you can live with the charging and the range, then nothing beats it (at this price point).
Am keen to hear from Ioniq owners though.
How long do you intend to keep your car by the way out of curiosity.

[DSLiverpool]

Had 1 Leaf 2015 and 2 ioniqs - it’s the Ioniq. Such a reliable, comfy and easy to use car with better tech.
We have an OMODA now which is similar to both tbh.

[deexp]

Pistonheadsdicoverer said:

It is the latest model. I think it is 2021?
It is a lease. It is the daily driver for my OH.
Range could be better but we got it in November and have yet to try it in the summer.
It is one of the cheapest cars out there on leasing (the other being the Spring) and if you can live with the charging and the range, then nothing beats it (at this price point).
Am keen to hear from Ioniq owners though.
How long do you intend to keep your car by the way out of curiosity.

As long as possible, maybe 6+ years. They would keep the
ir current Leaf but it requires new brake pads and some suspension fixes which are more expensive than the value of the car.
I saw the lease deals for the Leaf and tried to convince my dad to go for that instead but he is adamant on owning the car and not needing to worry about mileage limits amd damage charges. I have a leased car now so I know about how they work, but he is nit comvinced.

[deexp]

DSLiverpool said:

Had 1 Leaf 2015 and 2 ioniqs - it’s the Ioniq. Such a reliable, comfy and easy to use car with better tech.
We have an OMODA now which is similar to both tbh.

That's very helpful, thanks. Did you test drive the Mk2 Leaf when deciding between the Ioniq and the Leaf? Did you have any problems with any of the Ioniq's?

[duff]

I’ve had 2 Leafs, and I know several others with them and I’ve never heard of an issue with any of them. Obviously they’re all fairly new so not that surprising but was certainly a factor in me getting another. The tech is not the most up to date but everything is easy to use and works.

I’ve heard good things about the Ioniq but I’m not keen on the looks and lower position. They are very efficient though if absolute range is a factor.

[dmsims]

Kona ?

[Moonpie21]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I'll just link to the topic, but recently purchased (Christmas); 72 plate, 7,000 miles and 13k. It's an N-Connecta with pro pilot pack, might as well be the Tekna. Never driven the Ioniq, but I am not sure my dad could have got the equivalent value from any other brand. Not a car I want, but it is amazing and he loves it.

[Pistonheadsdicoverer]

deexp said:

As long as possible, maybe 6+ years. They would keep the
ir current Leaf but it requires new brake pads and some suspension fixes which are more expensive than the value of the car.
I saw the lease deals for the Leaf and tried to convince my dad to go for that instead but he is adamant on owning the car and not needing to worry about mileage limits amd damage charges. I have a leased car now so I know about how they work, but he is nit comvinced.

You can get a NEW leaf for £171 per month, 5000 miles x4 years. They look at the overall, so 20,000 miles over 4 years.
So £8,200.
A 2021 leaf will be 8/9 years old by 2029.
A 2025 leaf will be only 4 years old.
Plus leasing company will pay road tax.

[deexp]

dmsims said:

Kona ?

Much harder to find a decent 2021+ model under the budget, although that is a very good option if one comes up.

[deexp]

Pistonheadsdicoverer said:

You can get a NEW leaf for £171 per month, 5000 miles x4 years. They look at the overall, so 20,000 miles over 4 years.
So £8,200.
A 2021 leaf will be 8/9 years old by 2029.
A 2025 leaf will be only 4 years old.
Plus leasing company will pay road tax.

Trust me, I know this. I will continue to try to push him towards this option, but it is unlikely he will want to lease instead of purchase used.

[deexp]

duff said:

I’ve had 2 Leafs, and I know several others with them and I’ve never heard of an issue with any of them. Obviously they’re all fairly new so not that surprising but was certainly a factor in me getting another. The tech is not the most up to date but everything is easy to use and works.

I’ve heard good things about the Ioniq but I’m not keen on the looks and lower position. They are very efficient though if absolute range is a factor.

Yeah, we had no problems with our 2015 in 7 years of ownership. And after owning what is not exactly a beautiful car, i'm sure they wouldn't mind another not-so-beautiful car. A lower position may be a concern though. We will definitely test drive them at some point.

[deexp]

deexp said:

Pistonheadsdicoverer said:

You can get a NEW leaf for £171 per month, 5000 miles x4 years. They look at the overall, so 20,000 miles over 4 years.
So £8,200.
A 2021 leaf will be 8/9 years old by 2029.
A 2025 leaf will be only 4 years old.
Plus leasing company will pay road tax.

Trust me, I know this. I will continue to try to push him towards this option, but it is unlikely he will want to lease instead of purchase used.

Another thing my dad said about the Leaf lease is that the only free colour is red, which he does not want, and the other colours are an additional £11 per month, which makes the price less appealing.

[GreatGranny]

For £12k the i3 would be a serious contender for me but maybe not as comfortable as the Leaf.
Much more stylish however
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501248...

[deexp]

GreatGranny said:

For £12k the i3 would be a serious contender for me but maybe not as comfortable as the Leaf.
Much more stylish however
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501248...

The i3 is a bit older, though. We wanted 2021+, preferably 2022+, to maximise warranty and battery warranty length. The i3's are all 2020 and before. Also, it's quite a smaller car, and possibly not big enough for what they want.

[GreatGranny]

deexp said:

The i3 is a bit older, though. We wanted 2021+, preferably 2022+, to maximise warranty and battery warranty length. The i3's are all 2020 and before. Also, it's quite a smaller car, and possibly not big enough for what they want.

Ok no problem.

Newer Leaf sounds the ideal replacement.

[samoht]

May also be worth considering a Citroen e-C4 - spacious and really comfortable eg this 71 plate approved used
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501238...

The Ioniq is v efficient though.