Kia EV3 vs Nissan LEAF: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Kia EV3 costs about $1,030 less

That's $14 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

EV3 Light FWD✓ $911/moTrue cost

LEAF S FWD$926/moTrue cost

2027 Kia EV3

Closest matching trim: EV3 Light FWD

Sticker (MSRP)$36,995

+$3,228→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$40,223

+ running costs→↓− $12,792 resale

True cost$911/moA month to own, after resale

2027 Nissan LEAF

Closest matching trim: LEAF S FWD

Sticker (MSRP)$34,998

+$2,904→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$37,902

+ running costs→↓− $10,045 resale

True cost$926/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	$36,995	✓ $34,998	LEAF by $1,997
Freight and fees, before tax	$3,025	✓ $2,968	LEAF by $57
Sales tax (HST)	$5,203	✓ $4,936	LEAF by $267
EV rebate	−$5,000	−$5,000	—
Drive-away price	$40,223	✓ $37,902	LEAF by $2,321
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	✓ $2,892	$2,909	EV3 by $17
Insurance (estimate)	$13,989	✓ $13,726	LEAF by $263
Maintenance (estimate)	✓ $5,305	$7,092	EV3 by $1,787
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	$7,408	✓ $6,920	LEAF by $488
Lost return on your money	$8,496	✓ $8,048	LEAF by $448
Resale after 6 yrs	✓ −$12,792	−$10,045	EV3 by $2,747
Total
True cost	✓ $65,612	$66,642	EV3 by $1,030
True cost a month	✓ $911/mo	$926/mo	EV3 by $15
You pay each month	$902/mo	✓ $884/mo	LEAF by $18
Practical
Fuel type	Electric	Electric	—
Seats	5	5	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	5	5	—
Fast charge, minutes	29 (10-80%)	35	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	✓ 609	566	—
Range, km (winter about 70%)	✓ 356 (249)	341 (239)	—
Length	4.30 m	4.41 m	—
Ground clearance	15 cm	—	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	✓ 35%	29%	—
US crash test	Not rated yet	Not rated yet	—
European crash test	✓ 4★ (2025); 5★ with pack	—	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

EV3 Light FWD $36,995LEAF S FWD ✓ $34,998Cheaper by LEAF by $1,997

Freight and fees, before tax

EV3 Light FWD $3,025LEAF S FWD ✓ $2,968Cheaper by LEAF by $57

Sales tax (HST)

EV3 Light FWD $5,203LEAF S FWD ✓ $4,936Cheaper by LEAF by $267

EV rebate

EV3 Light FWD −$5,000LEAF S FWD −$5,000Cheaper by —

Drive-away price

EV3 Light FWD $40,223LEAF S FWD ✓ $37,902Cheaper by LEAF by $2,321

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

EV3 Light FWD ✓ $2,892LEAF S FWD $2,909Cheaper by EV3 by $17

Insurance (estimate)

EV3 Light FWD $13,989LEAF S FWD ✓ $13,726Cheaper by LEAF by $263

Maintenance (estimate)

EV3 Light FWD ✓ $5,305LEAF S FWD $7,092Cheaper by EV3 by $1,787

Loan rate

EV3 Light FWD 6.5%LEAF S FWD 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

EV3 Light FWD $7,408LEAF S FWD ✓ $6,920Cheaper by LEAF by $488

Lost return on your money

EV3 Light FWD $8,496LEAF S FWD ✓ $8,048Cheaper by LEAF by $448

Resale after 6 yrs

EV3 Light FWD ✓ −$12,792LEAF S FWD −$10,045Cheaper by EV3 by $2,747

Total

True cost

EV3 Light FWD ✓ $65,612LEAF S FWD $66,642Cheaper by EV3 by $1,030

True cost a month

EV3 Light FWD ✓ $911/moLEAF S FWD $926/moCheaper by EV3 by $15

You pay each month

EV3 Light FWD $902/moLEAF S FWD ✓ $884/moCheaper by LEAF by $18

Practical

Fuel type

EV3 Light FWD ElectricLEAF S FWD ElectricCheaper by —

Seats

EV3 Light FWD 5LEAF S FWD 5Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

EV3 Light FWD 5LEAF S FWD 5Cheaper by —

Fast charge, minutes

EV3 Light FWD 29 (10-80%)LEAF S FWD 35Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

EV3 Light FWD ✓ 609LEAF S FWD 566Cheaper by —

Range, km (winter about 70%)

EV3 Light FWD ✓ 356 (249)LEAF S FWD 341 (239)Cheaper by —

Length

EV3 Light FWD 4.30 mLEAF S FWD 4.41 mCheaper by —

Ground clearance

EV3 Light FWD 15 cmLEAF S FWD —Cheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

EV3 Light FWD ✓ 35%LEAF S FWD 29%Cheaper by —

US crash test

EV3 Light FWD Not rated yetLEAF S FWD Not rated yetCheaper by —

European crash test

EV3 Light FWD ✓ 4★ (2025); 5★ with packLEAF S FWD —Cheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale is from used prices: the EV3 typical for its type and brand, the LEAF from its own. Their stickers differ by $1,997.