In short, the 2026 Nissan Leaf screams “a new electric vehicle” in a way that the last one just didn’t. The sloping roofline and unique side profile give it the appearance of a sports coupe and a small SUV. The LED lighting on the front and back creates a sci-fi atmosphere. The same neighbors who were fascinated by this Leaf didn’t even know there was a 2018 model parked next to it. They just thought it was a boring old sedan. Since its introduction, the Nissan Leaf’s design has evolved from an eccentric oddity to a car desperately aimed at the masses. This time, Nissan’s design choices seem extremely safe.
2026 Nissan Leaf
This becomes even more apparent when I get into the Leaf: I loved the soft leatherette seats, which supported my aching back perfectly after adjusting the lumbar support settings. The huge 14.3-inch dual infotainment screen also leaves a striking impression. On the first screen behind the steering wheel, you can easily see the current speed, charging status and more driving information. But the best part is the central screen: it has beautiful colors and is bright enough to be visible even in direct sunlight. This is perfect for the Leaf’s built-in Google Maps navigation, but it’s even better when using wireless CarPlay, as each app takes up the entire screen. (And thankfully, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are available on all Leaf models.)
The base model 2026 Leaf has cloth seats and two 12.3-inch screens, but from the pictures I’ve seen, they still seem like a step up from most infotainment setups. My test vehicle was also equipped with a 10-speaker Bose Personal Plus sound system, including small speakers in the headrests of the driver and front passenger seats. This makes the music a little more engaging, but more importantly, it also acts as a covert way to convey navigation instructions to the driver without distracting everyone else in the car. In my tests, I found the Bose system to be rich and detailed on most music (it has a small subwoofer, so anything with a lot of bass sounds muddy), and I really appreciated the instructions being whispered in my ear.
The Leaf’s panoramic sunroof, available only on the top Platinum+ FWD trim, also makes a striking impression. It lets in plenty of light while blocking the sun’s heat, and can even turn opaque at the touch of a button thanks to something called Polymer Dispersed Crystal Display technology. You can also set it to darken only part of the car, which is useful when I have some light but my kids aren’t in the back seat. Shadow mode still lets in diffused light, but it’s not strong enough to cast shadows (it almost acts as a full solar filter, so you can see the sun safely). However, it doesn’t darken the sheets much, so you may need extra shade so your baby can sleep.
According to Christian Spencer, Nissan’s CEO and engineer, the company found that the sunroof’s sun protection technology also allowed for more headroom. Adding a traditional retractable awning would have saved some much needed inches. At first glance, the Leaf’s large rounded roof should easily accommodate very tall drivers and passengers. Speaking to Engadget, Spencer noted that Nissan has also taken some design cues from existing vehicles, such as the Z sports car, Rogue SUV and Ariya EV. In particular, the new Leaf’s powerful four-link suspension comes directly from Ariya and makes the car feel much more stable over bumps and at high speeds.
I really realized this on a recent 100 mile road trip. Thanks to the 214 hp electric motor (up from 147 hp in the previous generation, but with the same output as previous, more expensive SV Plus models), the Leaf quickly reaches highway speeds. The redesigned Leaf feels very substantial, even when driven alongside much larger cars and in chaotic winds, whereas the previous model always felt a little unstable at high speeds. The overall stiffness results in somewhat soft steering in the 2026 Leaf, but I still found it more comfortable to drive than Kia’s similarly sized EV6. My wife and kids, who were less concerned about driving dynamics, said the ride was simply very comfortable.
My 100-mile trip took the battery to 60 percent on a full charge, matching the 250-mile range offered by my Platinum+ tester. (Interestingly, you lose range as you increase the Leaf’s specs. I’m sure the big 19-inch tires didn’t help efficiency: cheaper models have 18-inch tires.) I was able to charge the Leaf from 65% to 100% overnight using a standard Level 1 charger. In addition to the standard J1772 port for Level 1 and 2 home charging, the Leaf also has a Tesla port (NACS, above) for fast charging at Tesla Superchargers. This makes the 2026 Leaf much better suited for road trips than the previous model, which had an outdated CHAdeMO port for fast charging.
One key difference I noticed compared to my 2018 Leaf is that the new model feels like a true electric car inside, rather than being built with a chassis originally designed for a gas car. The boring center console of the second generation Leaf, which was made of cheap plastic and caused so much impact on my knees that I had to install a pad, is completely gone, replaced by a small backpack or purse on the right foot. The floor of the new Leaf is also very low, giving plenty of legroom for second-row passengers.
However, not all changes represent real progress. While the 2026 Leaf offers more overall cargo space than the previous version, it loses 10.6 cubic feet of storage space when the rear seats are folded. And do you have children in car seats, even in the back seat Always to be awake On a recent trip I was able to take a small tricycle, two scooters, some rugs and a small cooler, but it was very cramped. On the plus side, it can easily fit a large child car seat and a smaller booster seat combination. I also really liked Nissan’s easy-access LATCH doors, which are colorful and highly visible. There is no need to look for them under the cushions like in other cars.
There’s also bad news for fans of one-pedal driving: Nissan has replaced the original ‘E-Pedal’ function with ‘E-Step’, which can slow the Leaf significantly thanks to regenerative braking, but doesn’t bring the car to a complete stop. Spencer says this is partly because Japanese regulators prefer braking as the only way to bring a car to a complete stop. But that’s a shame once you get used to the convenience of single-pedal driving and never having to brake again, a feature Nissan introduced with the second-generation Leaf. However, Spencer says the company has received a lot of feedback about the loss of true one-pedal driving, so this could be a feature Nissan brings back in the future.
However, I consider these complaints to be minor inconveniences. The 2026 Leaf looks better and has more features than the Hyundai Kona EV or the $34,000 Chevy Equinox, and it’s also backed by a company with far more experience in electric vehicles. Although I would still recommend it Explore used electric vehicle options – I’ve seen great cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 drop to $25,000 or less; The 2026 Leaf is simply hard to beat.
(tagToTranslate)Nissan Leaf