Nissan Leaf SV+ vs Toyota Prius LE (hybrid): 5-year cost to own in the U.S.
As of August 6, 2026, over 5 years (U.S. average, 12,000 mi/yr), the Toyota Prius LE (hybrid) stays the cheaper car to own — about $35,276 vs $45,770 for the Nissan Leaf SV+, a $10,494 difference over 5 years. The expired federal $7,500 EV credit is not applied to either total.
Cheaper to own over 5 yearsToyota Prius LE (hybrid) · $35,276 total · $10,494 less than the Nissan Leaf SV+
Nissan Leaf SV+ vs Toyota Prius LE (hybrid) — where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · Nissan Leaf SV+ | Hybrid · Toyota Prius LE |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | $17,728 (39%) | $9,639 (27%) |
| Charging / fuel | $4,903 (11%) | $4,049 (11%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~$588) | — |
| Maintenance | $3,660 (8%) | $4,320 (12%) |
| Insurance | $13,750 (30%) | $11,500 (33%) |
| Financing interest | $4,728 (10%) | $4,768 (14%) |
| Registration & fees | $1,000 (2%) | $1,000 (3%) |
| Total cost of ownership | $45,770 | $35,276 |
The charging-loss row is the ~10–15% of electricity lost to AC charging that you pay for but never reaches the battery — we include it; most calculators don't.
When does the Nissan Leaf SV+ win?
Even at 30,000+ mi/yr or a 15-year hold, the Toyota Prius LE (hybrid) stays cheaper here — its lower price and slower depreciation dominate. The Nissan Leaf SV+ is the pick mainly for reasons beyond 5-year cost (performance, emissions, HOV access, home-charging convenience).
No sugar-coating it — the Toyota Prius LE (hybrid) is decisively cheaper: $10,494 over 5 years, about 30% of its total. At default assumptions this one isn't close.
What decides the Nissan Leaf SV+ vs Toyota Prius LE (hybrid) verdict
The single biggest mover is depreciation: $17,728 on the Nissan Leaf SV+ against $9,639 on the Toyota Prius LE (hybrid), an $8,089 gap in the Toyota Prius LE (hybrid)'s favor — the largest slice of the $10,494 verdict. On the Nissan Leaf SV+, depreciation alone is 39% of its $45,770 total; on the Toyota Prius LE (hybrid) it is 27% of $35,276.
- Insurance: Nissan Leaf SV+ $13,750, Toyota Prius LE (hybrid) $11,500 — $2,250 more in the Toyota Prius LE (hybrid)'s favor.
- Energy: $4,903 of charging for the Nissan Leaf SV+ vs $4,049 of gas for the Toyota Prius LE (hybrid) — $854 more in the Toyota Prius LE (hybrid)'s favor.
- Maintenance: Nissan Leaf SV+ $3,660, Toyota Prius LE (hybrid) $4,320 — $660 the other way, to the Nissan Leaf SV+.
The Nissan Leaf SV+ gets $660 back on maintenance, but against a $10,494 verdict that is loose change. At the dealer the Toyota Prius LE (hybrid) costs $210 more than the Nissan Leaf SV+, yet 5 years of ownership claw all of that back — and finish $10,494 ahead. The Toyota Prius LE (hybrid) is ahead by $3,223 after the first year and more than doubles that lead — $10,494 by year 5.
Nissan Leaf SV+ vs Toyota Prius LE (hybrid), side by side
Nissan Leaf SV+
- 5-yr total cost
- $45,770
- Cost / month
- $763
- Cost / mile
- $0.76
- MSRP
- $28,140
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Efficiency
- 30 kWh/100mi
Toyota Prius LE (hybrid)
- 5-yr total cost
- $35,276
- Cost / month
- $588
- Cost / mile
- $0.59
- MSRP
- $28,350
- Powertrain
- Hybrid
- Efficiency
- 57 mpg
- Electricity (US avg)
- 18.4¢/kWh EIA
- Gas price (US avg)
- $3.85/gal AAA
Full cost breakdowns
Nissan Leaf SV+ vs Toyota Prius LE (hybrid) by state
No state's electricity or gas prices flip this verdict at default assumptions — the Toyota Prius LE (hybrid) is the cheaper car in all 51 states we track.