When the Nissan LEAF was launched for the 2011 mannequin 12 months, it was the primary mass-produced, absolutely electrical passenger automotive focused at a mainstream market. It was a quirky-looking, bug-eyed car that basically 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 recreation 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 observe.
A is for Inexpensive
You will have assumed that LEAF or “Leaf” was merely an iconic illustration for being “inexperienced.” However alas, it’s truly an acronym:
- Main
- Environmentally pleasant
- Inexpensive
- Household car
Traditionally Inexpensive
And all through its life, Nissan Leaf has positioned the emphasis on “inexpensive.” Contemplate 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, for the reason that 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 several other publications are estimating that car might be priced round $26,000. That can undercut the worth of each different electrical car at the moment in the marketplace. By loads. Apart from the present Nissan LEAF, the opposite inexpensive 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): Contains 18-inch metal wheels, 75 kWh battery, 160 kW motor, North American Charging Commonplace port for 150 kW DC quick charging, twin 12.3-inch digital shows, 360-degree digital camera 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.
Massive Vary
Whenever you survey most 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 on the lookout for vary and affordability, the S+ goes to be the winner.
Vary does go down because the trims stage up, however that’s the trade-off for extra expertise 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 is able to permit for clever route planning by way of Google maps. In contrast to the Equinox EV, it additionally presents Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all trims. It’s additionally price noting that the Google built-in could have a one-year free trial, however it’ll 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 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’ve an instantaneous increase while 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 slightly flip and push me again in my seat.
Exterior of that, its compact measurement makes it really feel nimble round curves, and it has a good turning radius for tight metropolis maneuvers.
Adjustable Braking
Along with being enjoyable to drive, Nissan wished this new LEAF to be straightforward 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 case 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 assist you to choose minimal regeneration, which supplies you the coasting feeling you get when lifting off the gasoline pedal of a standard 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 important braking when lifting your foot off the accelerator, however in contrast to true one-pedal driving, it gained’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 residence 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 extensively accessible, so when 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 beautiful 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 on the Platinum+ trim has a sequence of icons throughout the underside that take you to issues like your maps, local weather controls, residence display, and Apple CarPlay. This makes it straightforward to navigate between the native system and any telephone mirroring system you may 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 are inset and slightly below the display.
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 concern 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, when you really have to cost otherwise you’re going to be driving longer than a half an hour, convey a charging twine and wire in.
CG says:
The 2026 Nissan LEAF is healthier 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 an enormous 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 inexpensive EV on the market.
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2026 Nissan Leaf Footage
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