Nonetheless the funds EV to overcome via NewsFlicks

“Ohhh, that is niiice.” 

I stored repeating that to myself once I first noticed the 2026 Nissan Leaf in particular person, just like the oft-memed Tiffany Haddish clip. I briefly discovered it is arduous to not love this 3rd iteration of the Leaf. Its seats really feel splendidly relaxed, its infotainment monitors are huge and immersive and its electromagnetic sunroof gave the impression of one thing intended for a much more top rate automobile. I examined the highest-end Leaf, which retails for $38,990, nevertheless it nonetheless gives numerous price at that value. And it makes me assume the entry-level $30,000 style — which has smaller monitors, inexpensive seats and no sunroof — could be equally nice. As soon as once more, the Nissan Leaf holds the crown as the best affordable EV.

It is simple to overlook what a innovative automobile Nissan’s authentic Leaf used to be. Launched in 2010 for only $33,000, it used to be the primary in reality inexpensive EV in the marketplace. Certain it used to be small and did not cross very a ways, however Nissan ultimately mounted the ones problems with the second-gen style (which I stopped up purchasing previous this yr). However that got here at a time when the arena used to be extra hyped to peer Tesla input the fray with inexpensive vehicles just like the Style 3 and Style Y, and the Leaf used to be as soon as once more overshadowed when different automakers joined the EV area. 

Nissan

The 2026 Leaf is a superb revamp of Nissan’s iconic EV that still manages to stick with a $30,000 beginning value.

Execs

• Sexy design
• Large infotainment monitors
• Lengthy vary
• Cast using efficiency
• Reasonably inexpensive

Cons

• No person-pedal using
• Much less garage with rear seats up

$29,950 at NIssan

Now the Leaf is again and higher than ever. Its compact SUV styling makes it glance extra futuristic than the fundamental hatchback design of the former style, it might stand up to 300 miles of vary (up from a most of 212 miles with the sooner Leaf SV Plus) and it gives extra shipment house with the rear seats down (55.5 cubic toes in comparison to 30 cubic toes). And with the Leaf’s new turquoise colour possibility, it in reality stands proud at the street. Whilst it did not flip as many heads right through my trying out because the VW identity.Buzz, a number of neighbors commented that it merely appears to be like cool. 

On a basic point, the 2026 Nissan Leaf shouts “scorching new EV” in techniques the outdated one merely did not. Its sloped roofline and distinctive facet profile makes it concurrently look like a sporty coupe and a tiny SUV. Its entrance and rear LED lighting fixtures give off sci-fi vibes. Those self same neighbors who have been intrigued via this Leaf did not even understand I had a 2018 style parked proper beside it. They only idea that used to be a run of the mill outdated hatchback. Since its inception, the Nissan Leaf’s design has long gone from a unusual interest to a automobile that used to be desperately aiming for the mainstream. This time round, Nissan’s design possible choices really feel supremely assured.

Entering into the Leaf makes that all of the extra transparent: I liked its cushy artificial leather-based seats, which completely supported my aching again after I tweaked the lumbar fortify settings. Its huge twin 14.3-inch infotainment monitors additionally make a hanging affect. The primary display screen, positioned in the back of the guidance wheel, makes it simple to peer your present velocity, price point and extra using data. However it is the middle display screen that takes the cake — it is gloriously colourful and shiny sufficient to be visual in harsh daylight. It is best possible for the Leaf’s integrated Google Maps navigation, however it is even higher when the use of wi-fi CarPlay, since each app fills all the display screen. (And fortunately, wi-fi CarPlay and Android Auto fortify are to be had on each Leaf trim.)

The bottom 2026 Leaf has material seats and two 12.3-inch monitors, however from pictures I have noticed they nonetheless appear to be a step up from maximum infotainment setups. My overview style additionally had a ten speaker “Bose Non-public Plus” audio device, which contains small audio system throughout the headrests of the motive force and passenger seats. That makes song sound just a little extra immersive, however extra importantly, it additionally serves as a covert strategy to ship navigation directions to the motive force with out distracting everybody else within the automobile. All the way through my trying out, I discovered that the Bose device felt wealthy and detailed for many song (it has a small subwoofer, so anything else bass-heavy sounded muddled), and I if truth be told favored having instructions whispered into my ears.

The Leaf’s panoramic sunroof, which is best to be had at the high-end Platinum+ FWD trim, additionally makes a hanging affect. It shall we in lots of sunshine whilst blocking off the warmth of the solar, and it might additionally turn into opaque on the contact of a button with so-called Polymer Dispersed Crystal Show generation. You’ll be able to even have it colour best a part of the auto, which is useful once I’d like some mild, however my youngsters within the again seat do not. The shaded mode nonetheless shall we in diffuse mild, however it isn’t tough sufficient to solid shadows (it acts nearly like a complete sun clear out, permitting you to peer the solar safely). It does not darken the Leaf a lot, despite the fact that, so chances are you’ll want an extra colour for sound asleep young children.

In keeping with Christian Spencer, a Nissan senior supervisor and engineer, the corporate discovered that the sunroof’s shading generation additionally allowed for extra headroom. Including a conventional retracting colour would have shaved off a couple of much-needed inches. Because it stands, the Leaf’s huge and spherical roof must simply are compatible very tall drivers and passengers. In a dialog with Engadget, Spencer famous that Nissan additionally introduced over some design components from present automobiles, just like the Z sports activities automobile, Rogue SUV and Ariya EV. Particularly, the brand new Leaf’s robust 4-link suspension comes without delay from the Ariya, and it is helping to make the auto really feel a lot more strong over bumps and at excessive speeds.

That is one thing I without a doubt spotted right through a up to date 100-mile spherical go back and forth. The Leaf is zippy to get to freeway velocity because of its 214-horsepower electrical motor (up from 147hp at the earlier gen, however matching the similar efficiency of the former higher-end SV Plus fashions). The remodeled Leaf additionally feels very forged whilst cruising along a lot higher vehicles and in chaotic winds, while the former style at all times felt just a little volatile at excessive speeds. The full tension results in somewhat gentle guidance at the 2026 Leaf, however I nonetheless discovered it extra relaxed to pressure than Kia’s similarly-sized EV6. My spouse and youngsters, who care much less about using dynamics, famous that it simply felt very easy to journey in.

My 100-mile go back and forth introduced the leaf all the way down to 60 p.c from a complete price, which is in step with the 259 miles of vary to be had on my Platinum+ overview style. (Interestingly, you lose vary as you step up the Leaf’s specifications. I’m certain the massive 19-inch tires didn’t assist with potency — the inexpensive fashions have 18-inch tires.) I used to be ready to price the Leaf from 65 p.c to 100% in a single day with a regular Degree 1 charger. Along with the usual J1772 port for Degree 1 and a pair of charging at house, the Leaf additionally features a Tesla-style (NACS, above) port for high-speed refills at Tesla Superchargers. That makes the 2026 Leaf way more appropriate for street journeys than the older style, which used to be caught with an archaic CHAdeMO port for speedy charging.

A significant distinction I realized from my 2018 Leaf is that the brand new style in reality looks like a real electrical automobile internally, somewhat than being constructed out of a body that used to be in the beginning designed for a gas-powered automobile. The irritating middle console from the second-gen Leaf — which used to be made from affordable plastic, and ended in such a lot knee banging I needed to set up a cushion — is totally long gone, changed with room for a small backpack or handbag via your proper foot. The brand new Leaf’s flooring additionally sits very low, which provides second-row passengers a ton of leg room.

Now not each alternate is a real step ahead, despite the fact that. Whilst the 2026 Leaf gives extra general shipment house than the former model, it loses 3.6 cubic toes of garage when the rear seats are up. And if you have got youngsters in automobile seats, the ones rear chairs will at all times be up. I used to be ready to slot in a small tricycle, two scooters, protecting tools and a small cooler right through a up to date go back and forth, nevertheless it used to be without a doubt a good squeeze. On a brighter be aware, I used to be a minimum of ready to slot in a big mixture automobile seat and smaller booster chair with out factor. I additionally in reality favored Nissan’s simply obtainable LATCH connections, that are brightly coloured and simply visual. You would not have to head fishing round for them below cushions like on different vehicles.

There may be additionally unhealthy information for enthusiasts of 1 pedal using: Nissan has dumped its authentic “E-pedal” function for “E-step,” which is able to dramatically sluggish the Leaf with regenerative braking, however may not absolutely forestall the auto. In keeping with Spencer, that is partly because of Eastern regulators, preferring having the brake be the one strategy to absolutely forestall a automobile. However it is a bummer should you’ve gotten used to the ease of one-pedal using and not touching the brakes, a function that Nissan helped to pioneer with the second-gen Leaf. Spencer says the corporate has heard numerous comments in regards to the lack of true one pedal using despite the fact that, so it can be a function Nissan implements once more down the road.

I’d believe the ones proceedings minor quibbles, despite the fact that. The 2026 Leaf is extra sexy and feature-rich than the $34,000 Hyundai Kona EV or Chevy Equinox, and it additionally has the backing of an organization with way more revel in within the EV area. Whilst I’d nonetheless suggest having a look at used EV choices — I’ve noticed nice vehicles just like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 dip to $25,000 or much less — the 2026 Leaf is solely arduous to overcome.