Textual content by Tom Appel
2026 Nissan Leaf Platinum+
Specs
Class: Subcompact Crossover
Nation of Manufacture: U.S.
Shade: Coulis Pink Pearl and Tremendous Black
Miles pushed: 233
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B |
| Energy and Efficiency | B+ |
| Match and End | C |
| Gas Financial system | A |
| Worth | A- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not replicate Client Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 214 horsepower |
| Engine Kind | Electrical motor |
| Transmission | Automated |
| Drive Wheels | Entrance-wheel drive |
Battery capability: 75 kWh
EPA-estimate MPGe: 103
EPA-estimated driving vary: 259
Most Cost Fee: 150 kW
Client Information vary estimate (supreme circumstances): 300+ miles
Cost Port Location: Entrance driver-side fender (CCS), entrance passenger-side fender (NACS)
Charging Normal: CCS and NACS
Snow Efficiency:
Poor Honest Good Very-Good Wonderful
Frunk Capability: N/A
Base value: $38,990 (not together with $1495 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: Ground Mat Bundle ($345), battery heater ($500), particular 2-tone paint ($800)
Worth as examined: $41,930
Audio-System Model
Bose
Audio-System High quality
Poor Honest Good Very-Good Wonderful
Execs and Cons
The nice: Trendy feel and look, worth value
The great: Enjoyable to drive, good vary
The not so good: Low-grade inside supplies, no AWD possibility
Assessment
In case you haven’t been paying consideration, you could not have observed that the present political local weather is unfriendly—arguably hostile—to these focused on promoting and proudly owning electrical autos.
EV Headwinds
This previous September the $7500 federal tax credit score for EV purchasers expired, whereas federal spending for public charging infrastructure growth has been stalled, and in lots of cased killed.
But, whereas these appear lie darkish days for the electrical automobile, there are some shiny spots. Learn the information and study that superior battery know-how remains to be being explored, and that we must always—presumably even this decade—see the affect of high-energy-density solid-state batteries, which promise higher vary, and lowered per-unit price.
Nissan Leaf
However till there’s a governmental regime change, and till future-tech batteries arrive, what’s a well-intended EV shopper to do as we speak? One possibility is to purchase a 2026 Nissan Leaf.
New for 2011, the Leaf was a pioneering EV effort, arriving on the scene at about the identical time because the considerably costlier, and extra luxurious, Tesla Mannequin X. A small, arguably ungainly hatchback, the Leaf loved respectable evaluations from the automotive media, however its uninspiring design, restricted vary (simply 73 miles), and simply sufficient acceleration left even green-minded shoppers chilly.
A 2018 redesign introduced with it elevated vary—as much as 226 miles—up to date styling, and a few thrilling tech, together with Nissan’s ProPilot semi-autonomous driving system. Nonetheless, consumers stayed away, probably searching for extra vary, and one thing apart from a small hatchback.
Costs and Trim Ranges
For 2026, Nissan utterly redesign its long-standing EV, bequeathing it a real crossover design, a lot improved driving vary, and, maybe most significantly, accessible pricing.
For 2026, the Leaf is obtainable within the following trim ranges:
- S (value not but introduced)
- S+ ($31,485)
- SV+ ($35,725)
- Platinum+ ($40,485)
Powertrain
All 2026 Leafs function a front-wheel-drive structure, and save for the bottom S, are outfitted with a 75-kWh battery and 214-horsepower motor. Vary varies by trim stage, with the S+ being EPA rated at 303 miles on a full cost, the SV+ at 288 miles, and the Platinum+ at $40,485. Although attributable to arrive throughout the 2026 mannequin yr, we’d not be shocked to see the S launched as an early 2027 mannequin.
Dimensions
As we famous earlier, the Leaf turned a crossover for the brand new yr, although in reality isn’t a lot modified in general dimension. The brand new Leaf is about 3 inches shorter general, however about as excessive because the 2025 version.
Contained in the 2026 Leaf claims barely much less front-row headroom (although there may be nonetheless beneficiant house even for tall drivers), however barely extra leg, shoulder, and hip room. Rear-seat dimensions are additionally much like the 2025, although legroom is down by greater than an inch.
The massive information is for 2026 is the large leap in cargo house versus the outgoing mannequin. Whereas the 2025 Leaf offered roughly 30 cubic toes of stowage space with the rear seat folded flat, the redesigned Leaf boasts practically 60 toes of room for diapers, tenting gear, groceries, and dusty file collections.
Take a look at Vehicles
Client Information lately spent per week behind the wheel of a 2026 Leaf Platinum Plus in 2-tone Coulis Pink with Tremendous Black trim. All informed, our absolutely loaded take a look at automotive got here $41,930 together with vacation spot cost, and the elective battery heater, which we’ll speak about presently.
Cabin
Inside, the Leaf seems to be clear and trendy, with design thrives stored to a minimal. The electrical Nissan employs the now stylish single-pane touchscreen and instrument panel (IP) setup, and to good impact. We discovered the IP clear and straightforward to learn—and the vary and battery situation info helpful and straightforward to decipher at a look—and the touchscreen structure easy, and logically arrayed.
Room and Consolation
There’s additionally loads of grownup house within the entrance row, with giant door openings making straightforward work of ingress and egress. Second-row house is mostly sufficient, although tall occupants will discover knee room restricted behind taller front-seat passengers.
And although the cabin seems to be the position of a contemporary, environment friendly EV, the supplies used to line the inside are comprised principally of arduous plastic. At this value level we will forgive the shortage of soft-touch components, however we had hoped for extra.
Energy and Efficiency
Beneath approach you’ll discover the Leaf—at the least in non-S trim, dynamically participating. There’s loads of easy energy from a cease or as soon as shifting. Whereas the Leaf isn’t any rocket by EV requirements, it’s simply the acceleration equal of like-size gasoline-powered crossovers.
Journey and dealing with are additionally spectacular. The Leaf might be hustled round corners with confidence, whereas journey high quality at the least matches that of Nissan’s Kicks non-EV small crossover–which is excessive reward.
Vary
We drove the Leaf throughout a sudden chilly snap right here within the Chicago space, and located the automotive’s estimated vary to be conservative. Our well-optioned, large-wheeled, Leaf is EPA estimated to journey 259 miles on a full battery cost. Regardless of the chilly climate—which usually compromises battery efficiency—we estimate our Leaf would have traveled at the least 280. This makes 300 miles a possible determine during times of extra delicate temps.
Battery Heather
And talking of the chilly, our take a look at automotive was outfitted with an accessible battery heater. The heater might be employed to pre-warm the EV battery to arrange it for quick charging. Accessed through the touchscreen, the heater is straightforward sufficient to have interaction, and may shorten cold-weather charging classes. We didn’t have an opportunity to make use of the heater, however suspect that, at $500, it’s definitely worth the value.
Charging
The charging scenario itself is one thing of a combined bag, because the Leaf is provided each with a conventional “CCS” charger port (entrance driver-side fender), and Tesla-style “NACS” port (entrance passenger aspect). Sounds easy, however right here’s the place issues get difficult:
The CCS aspect accepts solely level-1 (wall outlet) and level-2 (220-volt house charger) connections. This whereas the NACS aspect accepts solely level-3 (DC “quick” charging) through a Tesla charging station. That mentioned, the NACS port will settle for an adaptor to be used of non-Tesla charging stations.
It’s quite a bit to recollect, however finally does present a certain quantity of charging flexibility shifting ahead, because the CCS system will ultimately get replaced by the Tesla NACS customary nationwide. However, if you have already got a level-2 charger at house, it’s probably CSS, and none of that is going to matter very a lot you—you’re all set.
Worth
Nissan has described the most recent era of the Leaf an EV for shoppers who’ve already owned an electrical automobile. This makes some sense, because the Leaf is obtainable in smart value ranges with good—although not excellent—vary, and good, if not loopy energy. Briefly, the Leaf is ideal for people who’ve gotten previous unrealistic vary expectations, having realized that going 400 miles in a day is one thing they hardly ever do.
We named the Nissan Leaf to our 2026 Client Information Greatest Purchase record, and predict that this latest model of the maker’s pioneering EV will hit price-conscious electric-car buyers with a mixture of content material and worth that’s troublesome to disregard. And, for people searching for a good higher worth, the approaching S mannequin guarantees to be a category discount, relying on the way it’s priced.
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2026 Nissan Leaf Photos
