Page 45 - Motor Trend (April 2020)
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COMPARISON
Unbelievably, it’s (as tested) now $2,005 The Leaf Plus is a Tempur-Pedic
less than the Leaf Plus and undercuts passenger car, Dad’s Buick in the lithium
the Niro by an astonishing $4,715. There age, with comfy, settle-in seats to glide
goes the argument that the traditional, Mom to her regular doctor’s appointment
experienced manufacturers are more with minimal grumbling and a hatch that
efficient at building cars. rises to invite the kids’ hockey gear.
However, electric cars are often a hall effective price) and the Niro at $39,905 The Niro is a fishbowl-windowed
of mirrors. Tesla’s federal tax credit ($2,785 below the Tesla). compact SUV—as Kia likes to describe
is now exhausted. (Way to punish What you get for these prices are three it—with a firm (often pitching, even
successful first movers!) As such, distinct flavors of automobile. It’s not pogoing) ride that pays off with nimble
the Model 3’s as-tested price stays at one of those perplexing ice cream shop maneuvering in the hands of a 20-some-
$42,690. The Kia and Nissan, on the choices between hazelnut-almond-rum thing driver’s game-controller reactions.
other hand, continue to enjoy the $7,500 or coconut-pecan-raisin. This is a The Model 3 is a low, slinky sport sedan
tax credit, thus placing the Leaf at much simpler chocolate, vanilla, and (remember those?) with a trunk and a
$37,195 ($5,495 beneath the Model 3’s strawberry situation. fancy French-curve profile that slightly
compromises rear leg comfort but fabu-
lously amplifies the driving experience.
The Model 3’s interior is Zen-like compared to So let’s swing out the Model 3’s
the other two, and its screen is multiple times flush-surface door levers and tug on the
larger (though we’re not fans of white seats).
Niro’s and Leaf’s door handles. Which is
the best mainstream EV for everyday life?
Tesla
Model 3
WHAT YOU GET HERE ARE
THREE DISTINCT FLAVORS
OF AUTOMOBILE—A SIMPLE
VANILLA, STRAWBERRY, AND
CHOCOLATE SITUATION.
APRIL 2020 MOTORTREND.COM 45
