When the Nissan LEAF was launched for the 2011 mannequin 12 months, it was the primary mass-produced, totally electrical passenger automotive focused at a mainstream market. It was a quirky-looking, bug-eyed car that primarily helped pioneer the present EV section. For perspective, although Tesla was on the scene in 2011, the one car in its lineup on the time was the area of interest Roadster. The Mannequin S didn’t hit the streets till 2012.
Now, 25 years later, the third-generation LEAF is hitting the streets, and Nissan intends for it to be a sport changer. Throughout our temporary first look, we predict this 2026 Nissan LEAF hits the mark, and it’s going to set the bar for all reasonably priced EVs that observe.
A is for Inexpensive
You could have assumed that LEAF or “Leaf” was merely an iconic illustration for being “inexperienced.” However alas, it’s really an acronym:
- Main
- Environmentally pleasant
- Inexpensive
- Household car
Traditionally Inexpensive
And all through its life, Nissan Leaf has positioned the emphasis on “reasonably priced.” Take into account the truth that when it launched in 2011, it had a base worth of $32,780, and that first-gen mannequin was eligible for the $7,5000 federal tax credit. When the second-gen launched in 2018, the worth went down to $29,990, and on this technology it was eligible for some federal credit each pre- and post-Inflation Discount Act. Nonetheless, because the tax credit for EVs disappear on the finish of September 2025, this new 2026 Nissan LEAF gained’t qualify for any federal tax credit–and but the worth holds the road at $29,990 (with out vacation spot charges).
cut price Trim Degree Coming
The large information right here is that this isn’t going to be the bottom, base worth. A lower-range LEAF with a smaller battery pack is anticipated as a late launch (both a late 2026 or early 2027 mannequin), and a number of other publications are estimating that car will likely be priced round $26,000. That may undercut the worth of each different electrical car at present available on the market. By rather a lot. Apart from the present Nissan LEAF, the opposite reasonably priced EVs embrace the Chevrolet Equinox EV ($34,995 with out present money incentives) and Hyundai Kona EV ($34,470).
Costs and Trim Ranges
The present trim-level breakdown for the 2026 LEAF as of this writing, together with vacation spot charges:
S+ ($31,485): Consists of 18-inch metal wheels, 75 kWh battery, 160 kW motor, North American Charging Customary port for 150 kW DC quick charging, twin 12.3-inch digital shows, 360-degree digicam views, and wi-fi Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
SV+ ($35,725): Provides 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, artificial leather-based seating surfaces, 14.3-inch digital shows, Google built-in, heated entrance seats, and wi-fi telephone charger.
Platinum+ ($40,485): Provides 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, LED “3D” signature taillights and entrance lighting signature, dimming panoramic roof, Bose Private Plus audio system with 10 audio system, vehicle-to-load inside retailers, and hands-free energy liftgate.
Large Vary
Once you survey most of the people, the minimal vary most individuals appear to search out acceptable in an electrical car is 300 miles. The Nissan LEAF has by no means come near that mark–till now. The S+ trim can rise up to 303 miles. Whereas this doesn’t beat the Equinox EV’s 319 miles of max vary, it bests the Kona EV by 42 miles. So, if persons are actually on the lookout for vary and affordability, the S+ goes to be the winner.
Vary does go down because the trims degree up, however that’s the trade-off for extra know-how and extra tools. Even so, vary stays higher than or akin to the Kona EV, with the SV+ trim getting 288 miles of vary and the Platinum+ trim bringing in 259 miles of vary.
What’s New?
The 2026 Nissan LEAF is all new in each sense of the phrase. Along with the redesign and additional vary, that is the primary time LEAF sits on an EV-specific platform. It shares the CMF EV platform with the paused Ariya. It additionally has a brand new 3-in-1 powertrain with an built-in motor, inverter and reducer.
New options on the LEAF embrace flush door handles, a flat underbody, 3D holographic taillights on higher trims, the dimming panoramic roof on the Platinum+ trim, and the usual NACS charging port, which allows entry to the Tesla Supercharger community. The 2026 LEAF additionally features a J1772 port for Degree 2 or at-home charging.
You’ll additionally see Google built-in on the SV+ and Platinum+ trims, which can permit for clever route planning by way of Google maps. Not like the Equinox EV, it additionally presents Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all trims. It’s additionally value noting that the Google built-in may have a one-year free trial, however it’ll require a subscription after the trial expires.
Although Nissan is asking this new LEAF a “crossover,” it’s extra from a design standpoint than a dimension perspective. The 2026 Nissan LEAF is shorter, decrease, and fewer broad than the earlier technology.
Energy and Efficiency
One of many key issues Nissan wished for this next-gen LEAF was for it to be enjoyable to drive. You would possibly ask how that’s potential with a motor that delivers simply 214 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, however it’s. The engineers tuned the LEAF to get that instantaneous torque, so you might have a direct enhance once you hit the accelerator from a cease. Plus, it has the correct quantity of energy for passing maneuvers on the freeway. Whereas this doesn’t really feel super-car quick, it was quick sufficient to offer my abdomen a little bit flip and push me again in my seat.
Outdoors of that, its compact dimension makes it really feel nimble round curves, and it has an honest turning radius for tight metropolis maneuvers.
Adjustable Braking
Along with being enjoyable to drive, Nissan wished this new LEAF to be straightforward to stay with – particularly for somebody who’s by no means owned an EV. So, one of many issues the automaker did with this next-gen LEAF is to permit the motive force to set the regenerative braking. Should you’re not accustomed to an EV, it’s bizarre idea to wrap your thoughts round lifting your foot off the accelerator to brake. Thus, the LEAF will help you choose minimal regeneration, which supplies you the coasting feeling you get when lifting off the fuel pedal of a standard ICE car. For these accustomed to EVs who need max regen and a one-pedal-driving really feel, you may hit the “e-Step” button. This provides vital braking when lifting your foot off the accelerator, however in contrast to true one-pedal driving, it gained’t convey you to an entire cease.
Drive Modes
I stored the car in Eco mode throughout my temporary drive time and had the e-Step regen engaged. I preferred the general really feel of how the LEAF operated in full EV mode, however I do want that the e-Step allowed for full one-pedal driving.
Charging
We have been driving the Platinum+ mannequin, and even with the decrease vary, I didn’t really feel any form of vary anxiousness. Granted, we weren’t going removed from our house base, but it surely was the Google built-in with the vary estimator that actually allayed any sense of fear. That and the NACS cost port. Tesla chargers are extra broadly out there, so should you do have to cost exterior of the house, it’ll be simpler to discover a place to plug in. Moreover, the brand new LEAF can cost from 10% to 80% in 35 minutes.
Not Excellent
Whereas the 2026 Nissan LEAF is a pretty and well-put-together car, there are some issues which may want some consideration. First, let’s speak about menu icons. The 14.3-inch display screen on the Platinum+ trim has a collection of icons throughout the underside that take you to issues like your maps, local weather controls, house display screen, and Apple CarPlay. This makes it straightforward to navigate between the native system and any telephone mirroring system you could be utilizing as a result of the menu icons are static. Yay! The issue: The icons are tiny, and I discovered that even with my small fingers, I needed to flip my hand at awkward angles to interact the icons with the pad of my finger slightly than the tip of my fingernails. There’s a equally awkward attain for the HVAC controls which can be inset and just under the display screen.
Second, the wi-fi telephone charger is barely good for brief stints. I’ve a powerful dislike for many wi-fi chargers in vehicles as a result of they have an inclination to overheat your telephone and solely difficulty a trickle cost. There are some exceptions on the market–specifically in Common Motors autos–however for essentially the most half wi-fi chargers in vehicles are pointless. Such is the case for the wi-fi charger within the 2026 Nissan LEAF. It stopped charging my telephone after only a half an hour on the pad as a result of my telephone wanted to chill down. So, should you actually have to cost otherwise you’re going to be driving longer than a half an hour, convey a charging wire and wire in.
CG says:
The 2026 Nissan LEAF is healthier than its predecessor in each approach, and the truth that it holds the road on pricing whereas together with extra tech, extra vary, and entry to extra chargers is a giant deal. Nissan calls this new technology of LEAF a “notion shifting EV,” and I’ve to agree. Proper now, I don’t suppose there’s a greater reasonably priced EV on the market.
Take heed to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
2026 Nissan Leaf Footage
Click on under for enlarged photos