2026 Nissan Leaf redefines basic transportation: review

The 2026 Nissan Leaf is the “wow” moment the industry has been waiting for. It does something special: turning simplicity into a must-have feature – offering over 300 miles of range for just $31,485, all while being truly fun to drive.

Compared to its predecessor, the new paper It is a great upgrade across the board. It features a larger battery pack, more range, and a lower price, with a modest 214 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. Plus it looks great.

To be fair, the version I tested isn’t the least expensive or the most efficient, at least on paper. The top-tier Platinum+ model starts at $41,930 and is EPA-rated for 259 miles with its 75.0 kWh battery. Blame the 19-inch wheels and added features for the slight dent in efficiency.

However, my real-world experience tells a different story. Starting with a 99 percent charge showing a range of 285 miles, I finished about 20 miles with about 260 miles to go and 87 percent battery remaining — and I wasn’t even trying to be efficient.

The Leaf’s soft suspension and easy steering add some character to the driving experience, providing some much-needed feedback that’s often missing from electric cars. It’s also fun to drive on average roads, soaking up bumps and keeping things comfortable, keen to remind you that this is a family crossover first.

while April This might be classified as a crossover, which the paper actually is smaller than the model it replaces, with a shorter height, wheelbase and length compared to its predecessor. It’s wider, giving the electric car a more aggressive stance, with an arched roofline and rear design reminiscent of the Z sports car.

Inside, the paper is not tight. It has an open leg in the front, which makes it appear wider than it actually is. Rear headroom and cargo capacity suffer slightly from the arched roofline. I’m not very tall, but I still felt like my head was very close to the ceiling.

Pros: Good price, usable range, fun to drive

It didn’t take me long to get familiar with the controls, there’s nothing weird here. It was easy to get in, adjust my seat and mirrors, hit the on/off button, select drive, and go.

The Platinum+ features two 14.3-inch displays on the dashboard, with Nissan’s latest operating system using Google built-in. The rest of the cabin is sparse, without many physical controls, reminding me of an economy car from decades ago. There’s a row of capacitive climate control buttons below the infotainment screen, which will collect fingerprints.

The controls are good, but you’re likely to press the wrong button or two when driving off-road. Below that and between the center cutouts are a physical volume knob and four buttons for risk, media tracks and camera.

Underneath it all is the gear selector, which is a row of four buttons. Reversing and driving are physically different, eliminating the need to hunt for a gear. The only other control on the dashboard is the e-Step on-the-fly switch.

Cons: Precise regenerative braking, flush door handles, capacitive climate controls

There are controls to the left of the steering wheel for the parking brake, heated steering wheel, hatch, and other vehicle controls.

Additional features that set the Platinum+ apart from the rest of the lineup include a dimmable panoramic sunroof, 3D LED taillights, a 10-speaker Bose sound system, a hands-free liftgate, and heated front and rear seats.

The Leaf is not a luxury car, nor is it trying to be. The cabin is nice and quiet, with comfortable seats up top and the amenities you want without the bloatware.

There’s so much plastic everywhere, it’s harder to live with at $41,000 than $31,000. This can make lower-end models more attractive to consumers, and there is a solution Even a cheaper version It will come early next year with a lower starting price and a smaller battery.

The Leaf looks like a turning point for modern electric vehicles, with over 300 miles of range for under $32,000 which is impressive. When the average transaction price for a new car is More than $50,000The new Nissan Leaf is excellent value by comparison, even if America’s charging infrastructure limits its appeal.

The new Leaf certainly isn’t the flashiest electric car on the market, but it’s trying to do something different. With the average American driving less than 50 miles a day, and the ability to recharge the Leaf from 10 to 80 percent in 35 minutes using the built-in NACS plug, the Leaf may be the affordable alternative vehicle buyers are looking for.