The 2026 Nissan Leaf Redefines Basic Transportation: Review

The 2026 Nissan Leaf is the "a-ha" moment the industry has been waiting for. It accomplishes something special: turning simplicity into a must-have feature—delivering over 300 miles of range for just $31,485, all while being genuinely fun to drive.

Compared to its predecessor, the new Leaf is a significant upgrade across the board. It boasts a larger battery pack, more range, and a lower price tag, with a modest 214 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. Plus, it looks fantastic.

The version I tested, to be fair, isn’t the most affordable or the most efficient—at least on paper. The top-tier Platinum+ trim starts at $41,930 and is EPA-rated for 259 miles of range with its 75.0-kilowatt-hour battery. Blame the 19-inch wheels and added features for the slight hit in efficiency.

That said, my real-world experience told a different story. Starting with a 99-percent charge showing 285 miles of range, I ended a roughly 20-mile drive with about 260 miles remaining and 87 percent battery left—and I wasn’t even trying to be efficient.

The Leaf's soft suspension and easygoing steering feel add some character to the driving experience, providing some much-needed feedback that's often absent from EVs. It's an otherwise pleasant thing to drive on average roads, soaking up bumps and keeping things comfortable, eager to remind you that it's a family crossover first.   

While Nissan might classify this as a crossover, the Leaf is actually smaller than the model it replaces, with a shorter height, wheelbase, and length compared to its predecessor. It is wider, though, which gives the EV a more aggressive stance, with its arching roofline and a rear-end design reminiscent of the Z sports car.  

Inside, the Leaf isn’t cramped. It has an open foot well up front, making it feel more spacious than it actually is. Rear headroom and cargo capacity suffer slightly from the arching roofline. I'm not tall, but I still felt like my head was too close to the roof.   

Pros: Good Price, Useable Range, Fun to Drive    

It didn't take long to familiarize myself with the controls—there's nothing quirky here. It was easy to climb in, adjust my seat and mirrors, press the start-stop button, select Drive, and go.  

The Platinum+ features dual 14.3-inch displays on the dash, with Nissan's latest operating system using Google Built-In. The rest of the cabin is sparse, without a lot of physical controls, reminding me of an economy car from decades ago. There's a row of capacitive climate control buttons below the infotainment screen, which will collect fingerprints.

Photos by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1

The controls are... fine, but you'll likely press the wrong button or two when driving over bumpier roads. Below that and between the central vents is the physical volume knob and four buttons for the hazards, media tracks, and camera.   

Underneath all that is the push-button gear selector, which is a row of four buttons. Reverse and Drive are physically distinct, eliminating the need to look for a gear. The only other control on the instrument panel is the switch to instantly engage e-Step.   

Cons: Finicky Regenerative Braking, Flush Door Handles, Capacitive Climate Controls  

There are controls to the left of the steering wheel for the parking brake, heated steering wheel, hatch, and other vehicle controls.  

The extra features that differentiate the Platinum+ from the rest of the lineup include a dimmable panoramic sunroof, 3D LED taillights, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, a hands-free liftgate, and front and rear heated seats.   

The Leaf isn't a luxury vehicle, nor does it try to be. The cabin is nice and quiet, with comfortable seats on the top trim and the amenities you want without the bloatware.   

There's plenty of plastic throughout, which is harder to live with at $41,000 than $31,000. That could make the lesser trims more appealing to consumers, and there's an even cheaper version coming early next year with a lower starting price and a smaller battery.   

The Leaf feels like a turning point for modern EVs—over 300 miles of range for less than $32,000 is impressive. When the average transaction price for a new car is over $50,000, Nissan's new Leaf is an excellent value by comparison, even if America's charging infrastructure limits its appeal.   

Sure, the new Leaf isn’t the flashiest electric vehicle on the market, but it's trying to do something different. With the average American driving less than 50 miles a day, and the ability to recharge the Leaf from 10 to 80 percent in 35 minutes using its built-in NACS plug, the Leaf might be the affordable EV alternative buyers have been looking for.  

Competitors

• Chevrolet Bolt / Bolt EUV
• Chevrolet Equinox EV
• Hyundai Kona Electric
• Kia Niro EV