- The 2026 Nissan Leaf marks the third generation of the electric vehicle
- Starting at $31,485, it’s the least-expensive new EV you can buy
It’s no secret that Nissan has had its share of difficulties of late, from a failed merger with rival Honda to a shakeup in the CEO’s office, all amid what is a stressful climate in general for automakers. Like your otherwise-talented friend going through a rough patch, Nissan needs a win.
The all-new Leaf just might be it.
The OG EV, Way Improved
Lest you forget, the Nissan Leaf was the first of the modern mainstream electric vehicles (EVs), debuting in 2011. That was a year before the first Tesla Model S, and way before the current wave of battery-powered cars. Nissan could rightfully feel that it deserves some credit for every EV now made by every other automaker, even if that original Leaf was a small, awkward-looking hatchback with just 73 miles of range.
A second-gen Leaf arrived in 2018, looking slightly less frumpy but still limited to a range of 150 miles when it debuted and only bettering itself to 212 miles with updates over the years. It was a fine EV commuter, but not exactly one to get excited about.
Now comes the all-new 2026 Nissan Leaf, which is. For its third generation, the Nissan Leaf has metamorphosed from hatchback to more of an SUV. Nissan calls it a crossover, and we won’t argue with that term, even if it’s still offered in front-wheel drive (FWD) only and not all-wheel drive (AWD) like the larger Ariya EV. Whatever it’s called, the new Nissan Leaf looks great. This charm is especially so if you choose the two-tone Seabreeze Blue Pearl paint color like the one I tested this week at the San Diego media launch of the new Leaf.
The latest Leaf’s proportions just work, and our new Cinderella is actually a tad shorter than the outgoing model, measuring a tidy 173.4 inches. Yeah, you’ll be able to park it anywhere.
An Easy Friend
When it launches later this fall, all three trims of the 2026 Nissan Leaf will use the same 75-kWh electric powertrain that makes 214 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque.
The 2026 Nissan Leaf’s range varies depending on trim, but all are commendable. The headline here is 303 miles of range on the base S+ model. In the middle, the SV+ can travel 288 miles between charges, while the top-line Platinum+ can go 259 miles. All have two charge ports – a North American Charging System (NACS) port that can be used at Tesla Supercharger stations for DC fast charging, plus a J1772 port on the other side for Level 2 charging.
In a day’s driving on all manner of roads, from open highways to twisty mountain byways, the new Leaf performed well and always had plenty of pep.
If you’re new to electric cars, 214 hp might not sound like much, but the difference with an electric motor over a gasoline engine is that power is instantaneous, like a light switch. Prod the accelerator pedal, and you’ll instantly be thrown back in your seat. No, the Leaf doesn’t have the kind of gusto you can get in a Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Kia EV6, or even the Ariya, but those mainstream EVs are a class above and more expensive. Compared with more direct rivals like the Hyundai Kona EV and Kia Niro EV, the Leaf definitely measures up.
The 2026 Nissan Leaf is also surprisingly quiet. Electric vehicles are generally quiet since you don’t have an engine rumbling under the hood, but even by EV standards, the new Leaf goes about its business with a whisper.
There’s no one-pedal drive mode, in which the Leaf can come to a full stop simply by easing off the accelerator and letting regenerative braking do its magic, but it comes pretty close. My top-line Platinum+ model equips steering wheel-mounted paddles that let you adjust brake regen levels on the fly, plus, the e-step button on the dash brings even more regen to the party.
Steering effort is nice and easy. I like the flat-bottom wheel, and Nissan’s signature Zero Gravity seats are always a treat. My co-driver, Kelley Blue Book video host Mike Danger, found the brake pedal a bit squishy. I didn’t notice that until he mentioned it, and didn’t mind it as much even after he did. Most of the time, I used brake regen to scrub speed anyway.
The least you need to know is this: The 2026 Nissan Leaf is a highly pleasant and easy-to-drive EV. Whether this will be your first electric vehicle or your next, it’s a great choice. For all its EV innovation, the Leaf remains what it always has been — accessible. Yes, it is a subcompact EV with subcompact dimensions; think a tight back seat and no frunk, but with its SUV guise, it’s still quite functional, opening to 55.5 cubic feet of space in the back with the seats folded. Most of all, it’s easy to just get in and go.
The Least-Expensive EV You Can Buy
Perhaps the best thing about the new Nissan Leaf is its price, and especially the range you get for it. The 2026 Nissan Leaf S+ starts at $31,485, including the $1,495 destination fee. That makes the Leaf the least-expensive new EV for sale in the U.S., undercutting the Chevrolet Equinox EV by a few thousand dollars. It also makes the Leaf a highly attractive proposition for potential EV buyers upset about the imminent ending of the $7,500 federal tax credit. Add in the fact that the base model also gets the best range, and the value equation of the Leaf looks even better. Fun fact: 15 years later, this all-new Leaf’s starting price is less than the original one, which started at $32,780, and is the same as the second-gen’s when it launched in 2018. Look, Ma: no inflation!
Nissan expects the midtrim SV+ to be the most popular, retailing for $35,725. Along with its 288-mile range, it will bring features like dual 14.3-inch displays, leatherette upholstery, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated seats, and a wireless phone charger. At $40,485, the Platinum+ gets goodies like a hands-free power liftgate, vehicle-to-load charging, Bose audio, and a sweet panoramic roof that dims in sections.
Further down the road, Nissan plans to offer an even less-expensive Leaf with a smaller battery pack.
After a day in the new 2026 Nissan Leaf, I came away more than impressed with this new friend of a familiar name. The original Leaf ushered in the modern era of mainstream electric cars. A decade and a half later, it has matured with the industry and might just be what Nissan needs to get its mojo back.
