Skip to main content
While an identical turquoise side profile has the internet mistaking a $645,000 Ferrari Luce EV for a $35,000 Nissan Leaf, a closer look reveals that both electric cars actually have plenty to offer.
One of These Is a $645K Ferrari Luce And The Other One is a $35K Nissan Leaf Guess Which Is Which
Advertising

By: Armen Hareyan

This is an unimaginable comparison: the Ferrari Luce vs the Nissan Leaf.

Rob Schwartz, a certified leadership coach from New York City, yesterday posted this exact side-by-side comparison image on LinkedIn, and it generated over 415 comments! People are looking at these two vehicles, rubbing their eyes, and trying to guess which one is the exotic Italian masterpiece and which one is the sensible commuter car.

Take a good look at the image above. On top, you have the brand-new, ultra-exclusive Ferrari Luce: a fully electric, four-door luxury machine carrying a breathtaking price tag of roughly $645,000. On the bottom, you have the third-generation Nissan Leaf, a highly practical, all-electric family crossover that you can park in your driveway for around $35,000.

The Copycat Conundrum: A Decline in Automotive Culture?

When you look at them from the side profile, the similarity is absolutely striking. They share the exact same bright turquoise-blue paint scheme, a contrasting glossy black roof, blacked-out pillars, and a sweeping, aerodynamic fastback roofline that flows down into a high, blunt rear deck.

Advertising


This uncanny resemblance has a lot of industry experts sounding the alarm. Industrial designer Fabian Schray commented under the viral post, stating:

"We are witnessing the decline of European automotive culture firsthand, and it is manifesting itself physically right in front of us."

He's not the only one who feels that way. Product strategist Yair Sharim pointed out that this is the exact same story we saw with the controversial Jaguar Type 00 concept. He wrote:

"'Re-inventing' design language is a very tricky road, and time after time, it's not working. This is not a Ferrari - replace the badge with Apple."

When you look at the Luce's smooth, ultra-minimalist curves, it really does look like a giant iPhone or the long-awaited, canceled Apple car project! The only thing truly giving away its pedigree from the side view is that iconic yellow Scuderia Ferrari shield on the front fender.

Advertising


Credit Where Credit Is Due: The Positives

Now, let's look at the bright side, because there are absolutely things to love about both of these machines.

  • The Ferrari Luce: Underneath that controversial skin, the Luce is an absolute mechanical powerhouse. It features a sophisticated quad-motor setup producing a mind-boggling 1,035 horsepower. It will rocket from 0 to 60 mph in a blistering 2.5 seconds. Plus, it is Ferrari's first-ever true five-seater, meaning you can take the whole family along for a 193 mph ride!
  • The Nissan Leaf: For a tiny fraction of the price, the third-generation Leaf is an absolute home run for the everyday driver. Nissan completely ditched the old, quirky hatchback styling and turned the Leaf into a sharp, modern, highly capable crossover. It offers a fantastic, stress-free cabin, plenty of standard safety tech, and an EPA-estimated range of up to 303 miles. It is affordable, reliable electric driving done right.

The Torque News Verdict

There is no question that underneath the sheet metal, the Ferrari Luce and the Nissan Leaf are two completely different universes of performance and engineering. But when the world's most famous supercar manufacturer ends up designing an exotic flagship that shares a silhouette with a budget-friendly Japanese crossover, it proves that the aerodynamic demands of the EV era are forcing everyone to bake the same shape of cookie.

Now I want to hear from you! * Do you think Ferrari went too far with this minimalist design, or is the Luce a masterpiece of modern EV engineering? * If you saw both of these driving down the road without their badges, would you honestly be able to tell which one costs half a million dollars more?

Let me know in the comments below!

About The Author

Armen Hareyan is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Torque News and an automotive journalist with over 15 years of experience writing car reviews and industry news. Now based in the Charlotte region (Indian Land, SC, he founded Torque News in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News on X, Linkedin, Facebook, and Youtube. Armen holds three Masters Degrees, including an MBA, and has become one of the known voices in the industry, specializing in the landscape of electric vehicles and real-world stories of actual car owners. Armen focuses on providing readers with transparent, data-backed analysis bridging the gap of complex engineering and car buyer practicality. Armen frequently participates in automotive events throughout the United States, national and local car reveals and personally test-drives new vehicles every week. Armen has also been published as an automotive expert in publications like the Transit Tomorrow, discussing how will autonomous vehicles reshape the supply chain, and emerging technologies in vehicle maintenance. 

Advertising

Set Torque News as Preferred Source on Google

Comments

When you're looking at…

Trent Neumann (not verified)    May 27, 2026 - 9:36AM EDT

When you're looking at buying a Ferrari you wouldn't even consider the Nissan and vice versa.

If I had $645k then neither…

Sonny Sanders (not verified)    May 27, 2026 - 9:38AM EDT

If I had $645k then neither of these cars would be on my list. I'd buy a slightly used Model S Plaid and a Cybertruck. Then buy a nice house with the rest.


Advertising


Man, Ferrari should have…

Sonny Sanders (not verified)    May 27, 2026 - 9:42AM EDT

Man, Ferrari should have stuck with the magnum PI design. Actually I see Porsches and BMWs and all kinds of pricey cars that look like they came off the same factory line as a cheap GM. But I'd take the Nissan Leaf any day.