The redesigned cabin in the 2026 Nissan Leaf is a huge upgrade over the aging hatchback it replaces. This thoroughly modern cabin reminds us of pricier Nissan SUVs like the Murano. One frustrating thing about the outgoing Leaf was its bulky center console monopolized by an awkward gear shifter. The shift controls have been relocated to the dash, creating a nice, open space with room for cupholders, cubbies, and a slimmer center console. This repackaging should make the front seats feel a little more open and airy.
The NissanConnect infotainment system uses a 12.3-inch touchscreen in the S models and a 14.3-inch screen in the upper trims. Both systems have a digital gauge cluster the same size as the central screen. The bigger screen also brings Google Assistant and Google Maps. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard across the board.
Although the Nissan Leaf has grown from a hatchback into a small SUV, the 2026 model actually has slightly less rear legroom than the 2025 model. However, its 31.8 inches of legroom still makes the back seats accommodating for kids and average-sized adults. The new Leaf also boasts much more maximum cargo room than the outgoing hatchback — which had an awkward hump in the cargo area — by a factor of 85%. Cargo space behind the second row is 20 cubic feet, which grows to 55.5 cubic feet with the second row folded.
Also see:
- 2026 Nissan Leaf Overview & Pricing
- 2026 Nissan Leaf Driving Experience
- 2026 Nissan Leaf: Our Favorite Features & Tech
