2021 Nissan LEAF vs Tesla Model 3

What's the difference?

Here in 2021, it finally seems like Australia is ready to adopt electric cars, with interest on the rise and many, many new models of various shapes and sizes on the horizon.

Nissan, though, has been quietly chipping away at the EV market with its Leaf, which first launched in Australia way back in 2012 and was then refreshed with a new-gen model in mid-2019.

But even the latest Leaf is beginning to look a little dated compared to the likes of the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, so what is Nissan to do?

Introduce the new Leaf e+ of course, which features a larger battery for increased driving range, as well as a more potent electric motor for peppier performance.

But is the Nissan Leaf e+ the electric car to buy?

Like technology trailblazers which came before it (and which it so clearly seeks to emulate) like Apple with the smartphone as we know it today, or Dyson with its stick vacuum, Tesla is the poster company for vehicle electrification.

It's undeniable the effect the brand has had on the global car market, forcing storied automaker's hands in proving full scale production (even though it might be rocky at times) of an electric-only car is not only possible, but it can be profitable and popular, too.

Which brings us to the Model 3. Following on from the successful but expensive Model S sedan and Model X SUV, the Model 3 promised to be an accessible, affordable EV for the masses, a proper people's car for the electric era.

So, has Tesla managed to achieve this? Or, is slick EV motoring at a reasonable price still a pipe dream for every-day motorists? We tested the Model 3 for a week to find out.