Turning Over a New Leaf
Launched in 2010, the Leaf isn’t just Nissan’s longest-running electric vehicle — it’s the elder statesman of the entire EV segment, beating Tesla’s first mass-produced model to market by 2 years.
Yet despite the head start, the Leaf was never a runaway success. Its best year was back in 2014, when Nissan sold 30,000 units. At the current pace, 2025 deliveries will be less than a third of that peak.
To turn things around, Nissan is charting a new course for the Leaf's third generation, combining crossover appeal with the latest interior tech.
A New Shape Wrapped in Familiar Styling
For its first two generations, the Leaf was a hatchback with wagon-like proportions; an approach that clearly didn't resonate with buyers. So, Nissan went back to the drawing board and penned the EV's third generation as a crossover.
To achieve the crossover look, designers pushed the 2026 Leaf’s wheels toward the corners of the chassis. This is especially noticeable on the front of the Leaf, where the overhang (the distance from the front of the bumper to the wheels) is greatly reduced, yielding a more balanced front-to-rear aesthetic.
The new Leaf’s roofline has been altered, too, and the vehicle's profile now resembles the Tesla Model Y. The Leaf also has Tesla-like motorized flush front door handles, while the rear handles are integrated into the C-pillars. Its new design is more aerodynamic than the outgoing model.
The 2026 Leaf's ride height appears higher, but it's an illusion created by the clever use of dark lower cladding. It actually has less ground clearance than its predecessor. Its roofline is also lower, reducing headroom, which we’ll cover later on, and at 173.4 inches, the new Leaf is three inches shorter than the model it replaces.
Exterior styling is new for the Leaf but not for Nissan. The front end is reminiscent of the Ariya and Murano, with a grille area that flows into up-swept lighting elements. However, a full-width LED lightbar helps the Leaf stand out from other crossovers in the automaker's lineup, particularly at night.
Around back, the taillights appear inspired by those on the Nissan Z sports car. Look closer, and you’ll notice that the lighting elements reveal two vertical rectangles paired with three horizontal ones. This is a nod to the company’s name, as “2-3” in Japanese is pronounced “ni-san.” The 2-3 theme is used throughout the car’s design, including on the Leaf’s optional 18 and 19-inch alloy wheels.
Minimalist Interior Design with Maximum Technology
As with the exterior, Nissan takes the Leaf’s interior design in a whole new direction. Whereas the last model’s interior was conventionally laid out, the new model is decidedly futuristic.
That tone starts with a two-spoke steering wheel in front of a wide-screen digital display containing vehicle instrumentation and the infotainment system. In lower trim levels, the panoramic display is comprised of a couple of 12.3-inch screens, while upper-end models upgrade to larger 14.3-inch LCD displays. Regardless of screen size, all Leaf models run Google built-in infotainment software, have Amazon Alexa Built-in, and are wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible.
The use of horizontal lines and a low-mounted center console gives the Leaf’s cabin an airy feel. That’s accentuated by an optional panoramic roof panel that can be varied from opaque to transparent with the touch of a button.
Standard equipment includes Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, a suite of driver safety and convenience technologies that includes adaptive cruise control with lane centering. All Leafs also get blind-spot warning, rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, and remote entry with push-button start. A battery heater is optional and designed to improve charging performance during cold winters.
As you progress through the trims, you’ll find upgraded equipment along the way, such as a wireless charging pad, heated seats, and a Bose audio system with headrest-integrated speakers that can focus phone calls or navigation directions only to the driver’s seat.
A Roomier Leaf
The Leaf’s transition from hatchback to crossover nets better cabin space, particularly for those in the back seat, where legroom is vastly improved. However, it should be noted that headroom is down in the 2026 Leaf for both front and rear seat passengers, though only just.
Cargo space behind the back seats is also down; the outgoing Leaf has 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear bench up, compared to 20 cubic feet for the new model. However, fold the 2026 Leaf’s rear bench and you’ll find 55.5 cubic feet of storage space, up a whopping 85% over the prior year’s model.
Charging, Range, and Performance
The 2026 Leaf takes a unique approach to charging. Instead of having a single port like many EVs, the Leaf has one on each front fender. On the driver’s side, you’ll find a J1772 port that can be used for home charging or with Level 2 public chargers. The passenger’s side has a DC fast-charging NACS port that's compatible with Tesla’s Supercharger network.
Buyers also have two options for battery packs. The entry-level Leaf S has a 52-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, while all other Leaf trims use a 75-kWh battery. Nissan says both packs can go from 10% to 80% in 35 minutes on a fast charger.
The Leaf S also gets the short end of the stick when it comes to power. Its single electric motor is rated at 174 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque, while all other models get 214 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque from their electric motor. Despite its crossover billing, all-wheel drive is not available.
Range varies depending on trim. The S+ is rated at 303 miles, the SV+ at 288 miles, and the Platinum+ at 259 miles. Range estimates for the Leaf S have not been made public.
Pricing and Availability
As of June 2025, Nissan has not announced pricing for the 2026 Leaf. Appropriate for its name, the Leaf will land in dealer showrooms in the fall… the perfect time for the Leaf to drop.
