cwerdna said:
Hmmm, for me, I don't at all think the VW Golf is anywhere near fitting the most. Despite the "clean diesel" greenwashing, it's dirty w/a lousy 6/10 on the EPA air pollution score and emits FAR more CO2 per given distance than a Prius (since diesel has higher carbon content). I normally wouldn't consider VWs (or Audis) since most have lackluster reliability. The Golf's also classified as a compact whereas the Prius is a midsized car, like the Leaf.
IMHO, Prius is closest and Insight is next, since they're hybrids, both are AT-PZEV certified in CARB states and have similar amounts of horsepower.
Volvo? Nothing from them interests me. The V50 got discontinued after MY 2011. Cadillac CTS has way more power is usually RWD and is a gas guzzler. Lexus IS is also usually RWD. Both of these can be had w/WAY more power.
Crosstour? UGLY! It's also 192-271 hp and a guzzler compared to the Prius and Insight. It's also classified as a SUV.
Mini Countryman has luckluster mileage (on premium) and is a compact.
Again, all the non-hybrids uselessly burn fuel while idling and have no regen.
The question here, though, is what regular ICE cars can, should, or will be directly compared to the Leaf and the Volt. Your criteria of burning fuel immediately rules out anything but other EVs, and that's not the point.
Greenwashing aside, the type of customer who would buy a Golf TDI more closely resembles the type of customer who would buy a Leaf. Both cars are roughly similar in terms of usefulness and someone interested in a VW TDI is likely more technically focused than your average Prius buyer. The Prius has become far too mainstream, and threatens to overtake the Camry for Toyota's most popular car. Most Prius buyers will determine they want a Prius because they've heard about it and their geeky friends have them so they must be good. A TDI buyer is more likely to look at the alternatives and not go the way the mainstream buying public will go so is also more likely to look at a Leaf (or a Civic GX etc).
Furthermore, if you don't think a Golf TDI is a valid comparison then just substitute it for a Jetta Sportwagen TDI - which is similarly priced but larger than a Golf and I believe slightly larger than a Leaf.
I think you've demonstrated quite well that comparisons with a Leaf or Volt are varied and depend on the individual's priorities and interests. You are not interested in performance or luxury, and place a strong value on environmental factors. I bet you that at least half of Volt and Leaf buyers do not rate environmental factors as their top reason for purchasing the vehicle. Environmental performance probably ranks 3rd or 4th on my list of reasons for purchasing the Leaf, and it has absolutely nothing to do with CO2 or global warming score. I am not a global warming denier but I am concerned much more with local air pollution than global warming pollution.