Comparison: Ground clearance Nissan Leaf vs. competitors 2025

The evolution of the Nissan Leaf's ground clearance is a tale of practicality meeting design. Initially, the Leaf models from 2012 to 2017 seemed to hover over the information superhighway with a ground clearance of precisely none millimeters – or at least that’s what the data suggests, but let's not take that for a ride. Fast forward to 2018, and boom! The current generation Leaf ZE1 gets a lift, elevating its belly 150 mm above the ground. This leap is more than just a number game; it's a testament to Nissan's commitment to adapting its iconic EV for the real world, where speed bumps and potholes loom large.

In the family portrait of Nissan, the Leaf stands with a ground clearance that doesn't quite reach the top shelf. At 150 mm, it's slightly more down to earth compared to its SUV kin, the Juke, and the Ariya, which boast ground clearances of 180 mm and 178 mm, respectively. The Leaf maintains its stature as the accessible, city-friendly choice in Nissan’s line-up, perfect for those who measure their adventures in city blocks rather than backcountry trails.

When the Nissan Leaf's ground clearance is thrown into the EV mix, things get interesting. For starters, the Renault Zoe and the Mitsubishi i-MiEV are practically Leaf's ground clearance twins, all sitting pretty at 150 mm. The Tesla Model 3 and the BMW i3, with 140 mm each, won't feel as lofty, paving the way for the Leaf to roll over slightly taller speed bumps with ease. However, not all is lost for the Leaf's rivals; take the robust Subaru Justy and Fiat Sedici, sitting at a dirt-skipping 170 mm and 190 mm, respectively - they could practically skip over the Leaf if it wasn't for those pesky laws of physics. Then you've got the high-riding Infiniti Q30, looking down from a lofty 210 mm. But it’s not always about riding high; the Peugeot 308 and Renault Vel Satis barely scrape together 100 mm and 120 mm, respectively, making them the limbo champions of this ground clearance party. In a race of inches, the Leaf confidently holds its ground amidst a diverse field, proving that when it comes to clearing obstacles, it's more about the smart drive than the high ride.