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Honda HR-V vs Nissan Leaf

2026 Honda HR-V vs 2026 Nissan Leaf — two small station wagons compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Honda HR-V

2026 Honda HR-V

Small Station WagonsAWD/4WD
VS2 – 4Nissan Leaf wins 4 of 6 categories
Nissan Leaf

2026 Nissan Leaf

Small Station WagonsHybrid/EV

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The short version

That works out to about $1,750 a year less in fuel for the Nissan Leaf (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Honda HR-V is the bigger car, about 6 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Honda HR-V has had fewer recall campaigns (13 vs 20).

The two cars

The 2026 Honda HR-V is a small station wagon offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 180 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,311 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

The 2026 Nissan Leaf is a small station wagon powered by electricity and front-wheel drive. It measures about 174 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,213 lb.

Buying used? The 2021 HR-V and the 2024 Leaf have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2023 HR-V and the 2019 Leaf.

Basics

Small Station Wagons
Class
Small Station Wagons
Regular Gasoline
Fuel
EV
2.0L 4-cyl
Engines
EV
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

28 MPG
Best combined MPG
–
26 city
City / highway MPG (best)
–
–
EV range
303 mi
$2,400
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$650

Performance & space

158 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
214 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
179.9 in
Length
173.6 in
72.4 in
Width
71.3 in
63.4 in
Height
61.4 in
3,197 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,213 lb

Safety & reliability

14
Driver-assist features standard
15
0
Recalls (2026)
2
13
Recalls, all years since 2005
20
19
Owner complaints (latest year)
3

Interest

21,379
Wikipedia views, 30 days
16,221

Buying used

2021
Best used year
2024
2023
Year to avoid
2019

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Honda HR-V if…

  • You want more room (6 in longer)
  • You need AWD or 4WD
  • You put reliability history first (13 vs 20 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Nissan Leaf if…

  • You want an EV with more range (303 miles)
  • You want more power (up to 214 vs 158 hp)
  • You want something easier to park (6 in shorter)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option

Pros & cons of each

2026 Honda HR-V

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Modest powerUp to 158 hp, versus about 214 hp for similar 2026 models.

2026 Nissan Leaf

  • Long EV rangeUp to 303 miles on a charge (EPA).
  • Strong performanceUp to 214 hp, versus about 158 hp for similar 2026 models.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • "Park outside" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Full 2026 Honda HR-V specs →Full 2026 Nissan Leaf specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →