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 phase. 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 expect this 2026 Nissan LEAF hits the mark, and it’s going to set the bar for all inexpensive EVs that comply with.
A is for Reasonably priced
You could have assumed that LEAF or “Leaf” was merely an iconic illustration for being “inexperienced.” However alas, it’s truly an acronym:
- Main
- Environmentally pleasant
- Reasonably priced
- Household car
Traditionally Reasonably priced
And all through its life, Nissan Leaf has positioned the emphasis on “inexpensive.” Take into account the truth that when it launched in 2011, it had a base value 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 era it was eligible for some federal credit each pre- and post-Inflation Discount Act. Nevertheless, for the reason that tax credit for EVs disappear on the finish of September 2025, this new 2026 Nissan LEAF received’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 Stage Coming
The large information right here is that this isn’t going to be the bottom, base value. A lower-range LEAF with a smaller battery pack is predicted as a late launch (both a late 2026 or early 2027 mannequin), and several other publications are estimating that car will probably be priced round $26,000. That can undercut the worth of each different electrical car at present available on the market. By so much. Aside from the present Nissan LEAF, the opposite inexpensive EVs embody 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): Contains 18-inch metal wheels, 75 kWh battery, 160 kW motor, North American Charging Normal 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 cellphone 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.
Huge Vary
Whenever you survey most of the people, the minimal vary most individuals appear to seek 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 stand 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 individuals are really in search of 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 similar 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 embody 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 permits entry to the Tesla Supercharger community. The 2026 LEAF additionally features a J1772 port for Stage 2 or at-home charging.
You’ll additionally see Google built-in on the SV+ and Platinum+ trims, which can enable for clever route planning through Google maps. Not like the Equinox EV, it additionally provides Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all trims. It’s additionally price noting that the Google built-in may have a one-year free trial, however it can require a subscription after the trial expires.
Although Nissan is looking this new LEAF a “crossover,” it’s extra from a design standpoint than a measurement perspective. The 2026 Nissan LEAF is shorter, decrease, and fewer vast than the earlier era.
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 doable 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 could have an instantaneous enhance whenever you hit the accelerator from a cease. Plus, it has the correct amount of energy for passing maneuvers on the freeway. Whereas this doesn’t really feel super-car quick, it was quick sufficient to provide my abdomen just a little flip and push me again in my seat.
Outdoors of that, its compact measurement 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 simple to dwell 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. In the event you’re not acquainted with an EV, it’s bizarre idea to wrap your thoughts round lifting your foot off the accelerator to brake. Thus, the LEAF will can help you choose minimal regeneration, which supplies you the coasting feeling you get when lifting off the gasoline pedal of a conventional ICE car. For these acquainted with EVs who need max regen and a one-pedal-driving really feel, you’ll be able to 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 received’t convey you to a whole cease.
Drive Modes
I stored the car in Eco mode throughout my temporary drive time and had the e-Step regen engaged. I appreciated 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 had been driving the Platinum+ mannequin, and even with the decrease vary, I didn’t really feel any sort of vary nervousness. Granted, we weren’t going removed from our house base, nevertheless it 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 accessible, so when you do must cost outdoors 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 sexy and well-put-together car, there are some issues that may want some consideration. First, let’s speak about menu icons. The 14.3-inch display screen on the Platinum+ trim has a sequence 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 simple to navigate between the native system and any cellphone mirroring system you is perhaps 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 moderately than the tip of my fingernails. There’s a equally awkward attain for the HVAC controls which can be inset and slightly below the display screen.
Second, the wi-fi cellphone charger is just good for brief stints. I’ve a powerful dislike for many wi-fi chargers in automobiles as a result of they have an inclination to overheat your cellphone and solely concern a trickle cost. There are some exceptions on the market–specifically in Basic Motors autos–however for essentially the most half wi-fi chargers in automobiles are pointless. Such is the case for the wi-fi charger within the 2026 Nissan LEAF. It stopped charging my cellphone after only a half an hour on the pad as a result of my cellphone wanted to chill down. So, when you really must 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 best than its predecessor in each manner, 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 era of LEAF a “notion shifting EV,” and I’ve to agree. Proper now, I don’t suppose there’s a greater inexpensive EV on the market.
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2026 Nissan Leaf Photos
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