The Nissan Leaf has been on sale since 2011, offering a value-forward path for buyers to get a taste of the electric lifestyle. That said, it lacked the range numbers and interior features that many buyers demand. That’s changing for the 2026 model year, as Nissan has introduced an all-new Leaf that takes the humble vehicle in a new and hopefully more exciting direction.
2026 Nissan LEAF Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2026 Nissan LEAF
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2026 Nissan LEAF
The 2026 Leaf moved from a small hatchback body style into a crossover design, but Nissan said the new shape actually improves aerodynamics, with the vehicle now offering a lower coefficient of drag. It also gained a Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector, giving it access to a much wider range of charging locations, and Nissan introduced new infotainment screens.
Design
Nissan shifted the Leaf from its hatchback roots and borrowed elements from the Ariya crossover in the process. The new vehicle features slim “check-mark” LED headlights and a sleek overall shape. Nissan hasn’t detailed all of the available color options yet, but the crossover will be available with two-tone paint options in some configurations. The exterior features motorized flush front door handles, and the rear door handles are concealed in the C-pillars.
Powertrain
Nissan offers two battery sizes for the Leaf, including an entry-level 52-kWh pack and an available 75-kWh battery. The base battery comes with a 174-horsepower electric powertrain, while the larger pack is equipped with a 214-horsepower electric motor, delivering up to 303 miles of range. The Leaf can charge at up to 150 kWh, and Nissan improved the battery thermal management system to speed charging in cold weather. A battery heating system is also available, which can work with the vehicle’s navigation system to precondition the battery for charging based on its proximity to a charging station.
Interior
The new Leaf features redesigned seats with a focus on second-row knee and legroom, and it offers a wide, flat floor across both rows. Nissan redesigned the center console, relocating the shifter controls to the dashboard, making it slimmer in the process. The available panoramic sunroof system also features a dimming features that lets users change its opacity with the press of a button. Cargo space measures up to 55.5 cubic feet behind the second row, a significant improvement over its predecessor.
Technology
The base configuration includes dual 12.3-inch screens with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but Nissan offers a dual 14.3-inch system in higher trims. USB-C ports come standard, and the top trims offer wireless device charging. All models come with Google built-in, which brings Google Maps, some Play Store features, and Google Assistant.
Safety
Nissan Safety Shield 360 comes standard, which includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision warnings, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-departure warnings, and more. The new Leaf hasn’t been crash-tested by either major ratings agency yet, but expect an improvement over the 2025 model.
Pricing and Release Date
The 2026 Nissan Leaf will open with a starting MSRP of $29,990 for the S+ trim level, while the SV+ will cost $34,230, and the Platinum+ will cost $38,990. Expect to see the 2026 Nissan Leaf at dealerships in the fall of 2025.
