The 2026 Nissan Leaf has gone through a massive transformation. A real leaf might turn from green to red in the fall, but the Nissan Leaf has been transformed from a quirky hatchback into a sleek crossover with Ariya-like styling.
It’s not exactly rugged, but it should be a lot more appealing to the large number of buyers looking for a small crossover with long range. Even if it won’t come with all-wheel drive.
Oddball Nissan Leaf Is Suddenly Cool
Nissan’s Leaf might have been one of the first electric cars on the market, but it never really caught on. One of the dangers of being first is that others can copy you and have time to do things better. The second-generation Leaf didn’t fix most of the failings of the first, and so Nissan fell further behind.
With the 2026 Nissan Leaf, the spring buds form a new electric experience. Because it’s designed as a crossover, Nissan says it has a much easier step-in and step-out than before. It also holds lots of stuff, with up to 55.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 20 cubic feet with them in place.
A slim center console helps add space for front seat occupants. It also has a flat floor in the front to enhance that experience and redesigned seats for more knee room in the back.
More Power, More Range, Faster Charging
The 2026 Nissan Leaf uses a 214-horsepower electric motor that drives the front wheels. A 75kWh battery pack, along with the Leaf’s sleek design, boosts range to as much as 303 miles. That’s for the S+ grade; the SV gets 288 miles, and the Platinum has a 259-mile estimate.
Nissan also plans to launch a model with a smaller 52kWh battery and a 174-horsepower motor. That one will likely offer big cost savings. It will also offer a shorter range, though Nissan hasn’t said by how much.
Learning from the mistakes of the original, Nissan has improved the battery’s thermal management system for better charging. It delivers a warmer pack when needed and a cooler pack when required, which the original couldn’t do. The 2026 Leaf will also come with a heat pump on SV and Platinum models for more energy-efficient cabin heating.
The 2026 Nissan Leaf should accelerate more quickly. It should also charge more quickly, with a NACS plug allowing up to 150 kW of charge. That’s 10% too 80% in 35 minutes.
The new Leaf is one of the few EVs to have two charge ports: the NACS one on the passenger fender and a J1772 port for home or Level 2 charging at up to 7.4 kW.
2026 Leaf: Packed With Tech & Driver Assists
Inside, the new Leaf will come with Google built in. This gives the driver access to Google Maps and other apps through the Play Store. That feature is offered on SV and Platinum versions that come with two 14.3-inch screens. Lesser models with twin 12.3-inch screens will still get wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Nissan will also offer a dimming panoramic roof, which can turn from dark to light with the push of a button.
Nissan’s safety suite, called Nissan Safety Shield 360, includes automatic emergency braking and rear cross-traffic alerts. The Leaf will also include lane departure and blind spot warnings. Adaptive cruise control also comes standard.
2026 Nissan Leaf: Availability & Pricing
There are, though, two remaining questions: How much, and when? As for when, expect the 2026 Nissan Leaf at dealers in the fall. If you want the price, expect that information in a few months.
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