- Nissan’s new base Leaf trim, the Leaf S, has been postponed for the 2026 model year, with no release timeline given.
- The S trim was expected to position Nissan’s Leaf as the most affordable electric vehicle on the market.
After a complete redesign in 2026, the Nissan Leaf has begun to establish a new reputation for itself, so much so that we even considered it the Best New Model for our 2026 Best Buy Awards. It’s already one of the most affordable EVs on the market, but Nissan had plans to add a new base trim, the Leaf S, that would have made it the cheapest electric vehicle you can buy today.
However, it looks like plans for this affordable EV have stalled indefinitely.
In a statement to InsideEVs, Dominic Vizor, Nissan’s director of U.S. product communications, said that the entry-level trim would not be coming this model year. This is to “ensure they focus their resources where they create the most value in the evolving EV landscape.”
The Leaf S would have been Nissan’s way of letting you dip your toes into the EV world without sacrificing your wallet. The only catch is in the specs. Instead of the 75-kilowatt battery that’s standard on all Leaf trims, the Leaf S features a 52-kilowatt battery pack, which means it would have substantially less range than its counterparts. There’s also a sizable difference between the 174 horsepower and 254 lb-ft of torque found on the Leaf S when compared to the 214 hp and 261 lb-ft offered on higher trims.
The Leaf’s Fate Awaits
Even though Nissan never announced a price, many expected the Leaf S would become the cheapest EV on the market. Right now, the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt holds that title, starting at $28,995, including destination fees.
Nissan says it has only postponed the Leaf S and not cancelled it. However, we know anything can happen in our volatile market.
Check out our written expert review or watch our video below to learn more about the Nissan Leaf.
