Outlander Sport vs Leaf
The Outlander Sport and the Leaf sit in the same subcompact suv class, but Mitsubishi and Nissan don’t always agree on what matters most. This one has a front-runner. The Leaf wins 2 of 4 compared areas, and engine & performance is where the difference is hardest to miss.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Leaf wins
- Space & Practicality Trade-off
- Off-road & Towing Outlander Sport wins
- Safety & Tech Leaf wins
- Engine & Performance1.7
- Space & Practicality3.8
- Engine & Performance5.5
- Space & Practicality3.7
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Leaf has 26 hp more power
On this line of the spec sheet, the Leaf is in a different league: 174 hp, next to 148 hp for the Outlander Sport. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
-
The Leaf has 109 lb-ft more torque
For torque, the Leaf leads by a wide margin: 254 lb-ft versus 145 lb-ft. More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
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The Outlander Sport has 8.5% more cargo space
Not a big gap, but a consistent one. The Outlander Sport’s 21.7 cu ft beats the Leaf’s 20 cu ft. Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage.
-
The Leaf has a bigger 14.3 in touchscreen
This is a headline difference. With 14.3 in to the Outlander Sport’s 8 in, the Leaf has a lead that’s easy to see on paper and in practice. The Leaf’s larger display gives navigation and menus more room.
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The Leaf has 12% more maximum cargo space
The Leaf wins this narrowly, 55.5 cu ft against 49.5 cu ft, which makes it more of a bonus than a reason to buy. The Leaf can swallow more with the seats down, which makes it more versatile for occasional big loads.
Design & Size
- Outlander Sport 171.9 in × 71.3 in × 64.8 in
- Leaf 173.4 in × 71.3 in × 61.3 in
Size-wise, the Outlander Sport takes up more space, and the Leaf is easier to fit where room is tight.
Dimensions
| Spec | Outlander Sport | Leaf |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 171.9 in | 173.4 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 71.3 in | 71.3 in |
| Height | 64.8 in | 61.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 in | 105.9 in |
| Curb weight (from) | N/A (not specified) | 4,187 lb |
Engine & Performance
Leaf leads
This section belongs to the Leaf. In engine & performance, it leads the Outlander Sport by a margin that’s hard to ignore. The Leaf wins here with 26 hp more power. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board. For anyone who cares most about engine & performance, the Leaf is the safer choice.
Total system output
Outlander Sport: 148 hp Leaf: 174 hp The Leaf’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Torque
Outlander Sport: 145 lb-ft Leaf: 254 lb-ft Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
Space & Practicality
Trade-off
Both have a point in this area: 8.5% more cargo space for the Outlander Sport, 12% more maximum cargo space for the Leaf. For space & practicality, there’s no wrong answer, only a different emphasis.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Outlander Sport: 21.7 cu ft Leaf: 20 cu ft The Outlander Sport’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier.
Cargo (seats folded)
Outlander Sport: 49.5 cu ft Leaf: 55.5 cu ft Maximum cargo space with the seats folded matters when you move furniture, bikes or bulky gear.
Off-road & Towing
Outlander Sport leads
Call it a small but real win for the Outlander Sport in this area. The Outlander Sport adds available all-wheel drive. Available all-wheel drive improves traction in rain, snow and on loose surfaces. Weighing only off-road & towing, the Outlander Sport comes out ahead.
AWD / 4WD available
Outlander Sport: yes Leaf: no The Outlander Sport offers all-wheel drive; the Leaf doesn’t, which matters if you face harsh winters.
Safety & Tech
Leaf leads
On balance, the Leaf leads the safety & tech section, just not by much. The Leaf steps ahead thanks to a bigger 14.3 in touchscreen. Screen size isn’t everything (physical controls and software speed matter too), but bigger is easier to read. For safety & tech, the Leaf is the one to beat.
Largest touchscreen
Outlander Sport: 8 in Leaf: 14.3 in A bigger touchscreen makes maps and phone mirroring easier to read at a glance.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Outlander Sport | Leaf |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Battery electric |
| Engine | 2.0L I4 | 130 kW electric motor, 75 kWh battery |
| Total system output | 148 hp | 174 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 145 lb-ft | 254 lb-ft (winner) Most torque in class |
| Transmission | CVT | Single-speed |
| Drivetrain | AWD (AWC) | FWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Outlander Sport | Leaf |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 26 mpg | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 23 mpg Thirstiest in the city | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 29 mpg | N/A (not specified) |
| Electric range | N/A (not specified) | 303 mi |
| Fuel tank | 15.8 gal | N/A (not specified) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Outlander Sport | Leaf |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 21.7 cu ft (winner) | 20 cu ft |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 49.5 cu ft | 55.5 cu ft (winner) |
| Rear legroom | N/A (not specified) | 31.80 in Least rear legroom |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Outlander Sport | Leaf |
|---|---|---|
| Ground clearance | N/A (not specified) | 5.30 in Lowest ground clearance |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes (winner) | No |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Outlander Sport | Leaf |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 8 in | 14.3 in (winner) Biggest touchscreen |
| Basic warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Outlander Sport | Leaf |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 171.9 in | 173.4 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 71.3 in | 71.3 in |
| Height | 64.8 in | 61.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 in | 105.9 in |
| Curb weight (from) | N/A (not specified) | 4,187 lb |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Outlander Sport if…
- you haul strollers, luggage or sports gear every week (21.7 cu ft vs 20 cu ft)
- you face snow, ice or slippery back roads
- you find that bigger suits the way you use a car
Choose the Leaf if…
- you want more power (174 hp vs 148 hp)
- you often drive loaded up or with a trailer (254 lb-ft vs 145 lb-ft of torque)
- you want the bigger touchscreen (14.3 in vs 8 in)
- you want more room with the seats folded (55.5 cu ft vs 49.5 cu ft)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Outlander Sport or the Leaf?
For most people, the Leaf is the stronger choice, unless what you want most is 8.5% more cargo space.
Is the Outlander Sport bigger than the Leaf?
The larger model here is the Outlander Sport (171.9 × 71.3 × 64.8 in); the Leaf is more compact at 173.4 × 71.3 × 61.3 in.
Executive Summary
Here’s the short version of how I’d choose between the Outlander Sport and the Leaf. I think the Leaf makes its strongest case with 26 hp more power. A second point goes to the Leaf for a bigger 14.3 in touchscreen. Where the Outlander Sport fights back is 8.5% more cargo space.
In my head, the Outlander Sport is the off-road & towing pick and the Leaf is the engine & performance pick.
My pick: the Leaf. I’d only go for the Outlander Sport if you value 8.5% more cargo space above everything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.