"Ohhh, that is niiice."
I stored repeating that to myself once I first noticed the 2026 Nissan Leaf in particular person, just like the oft-memed Tiffany Haddish clip. I shortly realized it's onerous to not love this third iteration of the Leaf. Its seats really feel splendidly snug, its infotainment screens are extensive and immersive and its electromagnetic sunroof appeared like one thing meant for a much more premium automotive. I examined the highest-end Leaf, which retails for $38,990, but it surely nonetheless presents loads of worth at that value. And it makes me assume the entry-level $30,000 mannequin — which has smaller screens, cheaper seats and no sunroof — could be equally nice. As soon as once more, the Nissan Leaf holds the crown as the perfect low-cost EV.
It's simple to overlook what a revolutionary car Nissan's authentic Leaf was. Launched in 2010 for underneath $33,000, it was the primary really inexpensive EV available on the market. Certain it was small and didn't go very far, however Nissan ultimately mounted these points with the second-gen mannequin (which I ended up shopping for earlier this yr). However that got here at a time when the world was extra hyped to see Tesla enter the fray with cheaper vehicles just like the Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y, and the Leaf was as soon as once more overshadowed when different automakers joined the EV area.
Now the Leaf is again and higher than ever. Its compact SUV styling makes it look extra futuristic than the essential hatchback design of the earlier mannequin, it may possibly stand up to 300 miles of vary (up from a most of 212 miles with the sooner Leaf SV Plus) and it presents extra cargo house with the rear seats down (55.5 cubic ft in comparison with 30 cubic ft). And with the Leaf's new turquoise coloration possibility, it really stands out on the street. Whereas it didn't flip as many heads throughout my testing because the VW id.Buzz, a number of neighbors commented that it merely appears to be like cool.
On a elementary degree, the 2026 Nissan Leaf shouts "scorching new EV" in methods the outdated one merely didn't. Its sloped roofline and distinctive facet profile makes it concurrently appear to be a sporty coupe and a tiny SUV. Its entrance and rear LED lights give off sci-fi vibes. Those self same neighbors who had been intrigued by this Leaf didn't even understand I had a 2018 mannequin parked proper beside it. They simply thought that was a boring outdated hatchback. Since its inception, the Nissan Leaf's design has gone from a unusual curiosity to a automotive that was desperately aiming for the mainstream. This time round, Nissan's design decisions really feel supremely assured.
Getting into the Leaf makes that each one the extra clear: I liked its tender artificial leather-based seats, which completely supported my aching again as soon as I tweaked the lumbar help settings. Its monumental twin 14.3-inch infotainment screens additionally make a hanging impression. The primary display, located behind the steering wheel, makes it simple to see your present pace, cost degree and extra driving data. Nevertheless it's the middle display that takes the cake — it's gloriously colourful and vibrant sufficient to be seen in harsh daylight. It's excellent for the Leaf's built-in Google Maps navigation, but it surely's even higher when utilizing wi-fi CarPlay, since each app fills your entire display. (And fortunately, wi-fi CarPlay and Android Auto help can be found on each Leaf trim.)
The bottom 2026 Leaf has material seats and two 12.3-inch screens, however from pictures I've seen they nonetheless appear to be a step up from most infotainment setups. My assessment mannequin additionally had a 10-speaker "Bose Private Plus" audio system, which incorporates small audio system contained in the headrests of the driving force and passenger seats. That makes music sound a bit extra immersive, however extra importantly, it additionally serves as a covert strategy to ship navigation directions to the driving force with out distracting everybody else within the automotive. Throughout my testing, I discovered that the Bose system felt wealthy and detailed for many music (it has a small subwoofer, so something bass-heavy sounded muddled), and I genuinely appreciated having instructions whispered into my ears.
The Leaf's panoramic sunroof, which is simply obtainable on the high-end Platinum+ FWD trim, additionally makes a hanging impression. It allows tons of sunshine whereas blocking the warmth of the solar, and it may possibly additionally turn into opaque on the contact of a button with so-called Polymer Dispersed Crystal Show know-how. You may also have it shade solely a part of the automotive, which is useful once I'd like some mild, however my youngsters within the again seat don't. The shaded mode nonetheless allows diffuse mild, but it surely's not highly effective sufficient to solid shadows (it acts virtually like a complete photo voltaic filter, permitting you to see the solar safely). It doesn't darken the Leaf a lot, although, so that you may want an extra shade for napping infants.
In keeping with Christian Spencer, a Nissan senior supervisor and engineer, the corporate discovered that the sunroof's shading know-how additionally allowed for extra headroom. Including a conventional retracting shade would have shaved off just a few much-needed inches. Because it stands, the Leaf's extensive and spherical roof ought to simply match very tall drivers and passengers. In a dialog with Engadget, Spencer famous that Nissan additionally introduced over some design parts from present automobiles, just like the Z sports activities automotive, Rogue SUV and Ariya EV. Particularly, the brand new Leaf's sturdy 4-link suspension comes immediately from the Ariya, and it helps to make the automotive really feel far more steady over bumps and at excessive speeds.
That's one thing I positively seen throughout a current 100-mile spherical journey. The Leaf is zippy to get to freeway pace because of its 214-horsepower electrical motor (up from 147hp on the earlier gen, however matching the identical efficiency of the earlier higher-end SV Plus fashions). The revamped Leaf additionally feels very strong whereas cruising alongside a lot bigger vehicles and in chaotic winds, whereas the earlier mannequin all the time felt a bit unstable at excessive speeds. The general rigidity results in barely mushy steering on the 2026 Leaf, however I nonetheless discovered it extra snug to drive than Kia's similarly-sized EV6. My spouse and youngsters, who care much less about driving dynamics, famous that it simply felt very clean to journey in.
My 100-mile journey introduced the leaf all the way down to 60 % from a full cost, which is in step with the 259 miles of vary obtainable on my Platinum+ assessment mannequin. (Curiously, you lose vary as you step up the Leaf’s specs. I’m certain the massive 19-inch tires didn’t assist with effectivity — the cheaper fashions have 18-inch tires.) I used to be in a position to cost the Leaf from 65 % to 100% in a single day with an ordinary Stage 1 charger. Along with the usual J1772 port for Stage 1 and a pair of charging at house, the Leaf additionally features a Tesla-style (NACS, above) port for high-speed refills at Tesla Superchargers. That makes the 2026 Leaf much more appropriate for street journeys than the older mannequin, which was caught with an archaic CHAdeMO port for quick charging.
A serious distinction I seen from my 2018 Leaf is that the brand new mannequin really appears like a real electrical automotive internally, reasonably than being constructed out of a body that was initially designed for a gas-powered car. The annoying heart console from the second-gen Leaf — which was made out of low-cost plastic, and led to a lot knee banging I needed to set up a cushion — is totally gone, changed with room for a small backpack or purse by your proper foot. The brand new Leaf's ground additionally sits very low, which supplies second-row passengers a ton of leg room.
Not each change is a real step ahead, although. Whereas the 2026 Leaf presents extra total cargo house than the earlier model, it loses 3.6 cubic ft of storage when the rear seats are up. And in the event you've obtained youngsters in automotive seats, these rear chairs will all the time be up. I used to be ready to slot in a small tricycle, two scooters, protecting gear and a small cooler throughout a current journey, but it surely was positively a good squeeze. On a brighter notice, I used to be no less than ready to slot in a big mixture automotive seat and smaller booster chair with out subject. I additionally actually appreciated Nissan's simply accessible LATCH connections, that are brightly coloured and simply seen. You don't need to go fishing round for them underneath cushions like on different vehicles.
There's additionally unhealthy information for followers of 1 pedal driving: Nissan has dumped its authentic "E-pedal" characteristic for "E-step," which might dramatically gradual the Leaf with regenerative braking, however gained't absolutely cease the automotive. In keeping with Spencer, that's partially resulting from Japanese regulators, preferring having the brake be the one strategy to absolutely cease a automotive. Nevertheless it's a bummer in the event you've gotten used to the comfort of one-pedal driving and by no means touching the brakes, a characteristic that Nissan helped to pioneer with the second-gen Leaf. Spencer says the corporate has heard loads of suggestions in regards to the lack of true one pedal driving although, so it may very well be a characteristic Nissan implements once more down the road.
I’d think about these complaints minor quibbles, although. The 2026 Leaf is extra enticing and feature-rich than the $34,000 Hyundai Kona EV or Chevy Equinox, and it additionally has the backing of an organization with much more expertise within the EV area. Whereas I’d nonetheless advocate taking a look at used EV choices — I’ve seen nice vehicles just like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 dip to $25,000 or much less — the 2026 Leaf is solely onerous to beat.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/nissan-leaf-2026-review-still-the-budget-ev-to-beat-173000858.html?src=rss