The 2026 Nissan Leaf EV is among the top redesigns of the past ten years.
Nissan
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The 2026 Nissan Leaf looks almost unrecognizable compared to the 2025 version it is set to replace. While the old Leaf's hatchback design was adequate and non-offensive, the new model's crossover styling successfully meets the challenge of being both appealing and unique without appearing tacky or quickly outdated. Pricing is yet to be announced, but the anticipated maximum range of over 300 miles is promising.
To be clear, I'm not claiming that this new Leaf is the most attractive car of the ’20s. However, it represents the most striking and elegant design evolution I've observed across generations this decade. The aquamarine hue in these launch images, referred to by Nissan as Seabreeze Blue Pearl, enhances the car’s visual appeal, but the overall form and detailing are impressive. With a slightly blurred gaze, I can see a combination of the Prius and Model Y. The vaguely retro-futuristic taillights, resembling those of the Nissan Z, feature a prominent “N-I-S-S-A-N” emblem nestled between them, adding an interesting flair to the rear.
Inside, the cabin has a clean but not overly simplistic layout, offers ample headroom, and provides 55.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. The new Leaf boasts two standout features: an optional dimmable panoramic roof—a remarkable inclusion for a relatively affordable vehicle—and a battery heating system designed to improve winter driving.
Nissan
The Leaf is powered by a 214-horsepower electric motor, utilizing a 75-kWh lithium-ion battery. A less powerful 174-hp motor paired with a 52-kWh battery will be released later at a lower cost. This matches the peak horsepower of the 2025 Leaf but offers significantly improved battery specifications. The 2025 Leaf's SV variant had 214 hp and a 60 kWh battery, while the outgoing base S model featured 147 hp and a 40 kWh battery.
Four trim levels will be available for the Leaf, with estimated range breakdowns as follows:
2026 Nissan Leaf OEM Range Specs:
- SS+SV+Platinum+City (MPGe): TBA 131 123 110
- City (MPGe): TBA 111 105 96
- Combined (MPGe): TBA 121 114 103
- Range (miles): TBA 303 288 259
The S model has a weight of 3,955 pounds, while the Platinum Plus variant is the heaviest at 4,369 pounds. All Leaf body styles share the same tall crossover coupe shape, measuring 14.45 feet long with a turning diameter of 35.4 feet.
The current Leaf (the ’22 model on the left) is acceptable, but the new version is significantly cooler. Nissan
The 2026 Leaf features a J1772 charge port on the driver's side fender for Level 2 charging and a NACS fast charge port on the passenger side for Tesla Superchargers. This setup is somewhat uncommon—it's surprising that there is no reference to a CSS charger in Nissan's press materials, as those are typically the public fast-charging connections I’ve encountered.
The vehicle can charge at rates up to 150 kWh, which should enable quick charging from 10% to 80% in approximately 35 minutes at a Level 3 charger.
Regarding the winter battery care features I mentioned earlier, Nissan has explained that the battery is "sealed by a resin cover beneath the vehicle, which helps protect against cold air, snow, and slush," and that it "captures wasted heat from the drive motor and the on-board charger … and repurposes that heat to warm the battery to its optimal temperature range." Additionally, it includes an "energy-efficient" heat pump for cabin heating and an optional battery heater for extremely cold conditions.
For driver connectivity, the Leaf will be equipped with built-in Google functionality and will come standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which includes auto emergency braking (front and rear), auto high beams (a highly underrated feature), lane departure warning, blind spot warnings, and cross-traffic alerts for when reversing.
Nissan
This new Leaf is expected to arrive at dealerships this fall, and pricing details should be revealed in the coming months. The outgoing 2025 Leaf was priced between $28,000 and $37,000, so the ’26 model will likely be above this range. I estimate a price range in the low to high 30s, with the top model exceeding $40,000. However, it’s expected to maintain a price below the larger Ariya EV, which is priced between about $40,000 and $55,000 for 2025.
I won’t claim that “this car could save Nissan,” but it should certainly
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The 2026 Nissan Leaf EV is among the top redesigns of the past ten years.
Typically, when a car manufacturer reveals that it has transformed a vehicle into a crossover, there's a collective sigh of disappointment. However, Nissan seems to have gotten it right this time.