Textual content by Tom Appel
2026 Nissan Leaf Platinum+
Specs
Class: Subcompact Crossover
Nation of Manufacture: U.S.
Shade: Coulis Crimson 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 degree evaluated, and will not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of your entire mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Huge & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 214 horsepower |
| Engine Sort | Electrical motor |
| Transmission | Automated |
| Drive Wheels | Entrance-wheel drive |
Battery capability: 75 kWh
EPA-estimate MPGe: 103
EPA-estimated driving vary: 259
Most Cost Charge: 150 kW
Shopper Information vary estimate (ultimate circumstances): 300+ miles
Cost Port Location: Entrance driver-side fender (CCS), entrance passenger-side fender (NACS)
Charging Customary: 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 car: Ground Mat Package deal ($345), battery heater ($500), particular 2-tone paint ($800)
Value as examined: $41,930
Audio-System Model
Bose
Audio-System High quality
Poor Honest Good Very-Good Wonderful
Professionals and Cons
The good: Trendy feel and appear, worth value
The nice: Enjoyable to drive, good vary
The not so good: Low-grade inside supplies, no AWD choice
Overview
In the event you haven’t been paying consideration, it’s possible you’ll not have seen that the present political local weather is unfriendly—arguably hostile—to these considering 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 enlargement has been stalled, and in lots of cased killed.
But, whereas these appear lie darkish days for the electrical car, there are some vibrant spots. Learn the information and be taught that superior battery know-how remains to be being explored, and that we should always—probably even this decade—see the influence of high-energy-density solid-state batteries, which promise larger vary, and decreased per-unit value.
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 right this moment? One choice 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 dearer, and extra luxurious, Tesla Mannequin X. A small, arguably ungainly hatchback, the Leaf loved first rate evaluations from the automotive media, however its uninspiring design, restricted vary (simply 73 miles), and simply satisfactory acceleration left even green-minded customers 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, doubtless searching for extra vary, and one thing aside from a small hatchback.
Costs and Trim Ranges
For 2026, Nissan fully 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 characteristic a front-wheel-drive format, and save for the bottom S, are geared up with a 75-kWh battery and 214-horsepower motor. Vary varies by trim degree, 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 as a result of arrive throughout the 2026 mannequin yr, we might not be stunned 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 total dimension. The brand new Leaf is about 3 inches shorter total, however about as excessive because the 2025 version.
Contained in the 2026 Leaf claims barely much less front-row headroom (although there’s 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 large information is for 2026 is the large leap in cargo house versus the outgoing mannequin. Whereas the 2025 Leaf offered roughly 30 cubic ft of stowage space with the rear seat folded flat, the redesigned Leaf boasts practically 60 ft of room for diapers, tenting gear, groceries, and dusty report collections.
Take a look at Vehicles
Shopper Information not too long ago spent every week behind the wheel of a 2026 Leaf Platinum Plus in 2-tone Coulis Crimson with Tremendous Black trim. All informed, our totally loaded take a look at automotive got here $41,930 together with vacation spot cost, and the non-obligatory battery heater, which we are going to discuss presently.
Cabin
Inside, the Leaf seems to be clear and trendy, with design prospers stored to a minimal. The electrical Nissan employs the now fashionable 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 data helpful and straightforward to decipher at a look—and the touchscreen format 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 satisfactory, although tall occupants will discover knee room restricted behind taller front-seat passengers.
And although the cabin seems to be the function 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 parts, however we had hoped for extra.
Energy and Efficiency
Below approach you’ll discover the Leaf—at the very least in non-S trim, dynamically participating. There’s loads of clean energy from a cease or as soon as transferring. Whereas the Leaf is not any rocket by EV requirements, it’s simply the acceleration equal of like-size gasoline-powered crossovers.
Experience and dealing with are additionally spectacular. The Leaf could be hustled round corners with confidence, whereas experience high quality at the very 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 typically compromises battery efficiency—we estimate our Leaf would have traveled at the very least 280. This makes 300 miles a probable determine during times of extra delicate temps.
Battery Heather
And talking of the chilly, our take a look at automotive was geared up with an accessible battery heater. The heater could be employed to pre-warm the EV battery to organize it for quick charging. Accessed by way of 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 well worth the value.
Charging
The charging scenario itself is one thing of a combined bag, because the Leaf is supplied 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 sophisticated:
The CCS aspect accepts solely level-1 (wall outlet) and level-2 (220-volt residence charger) connections. This whereas the NACS aspect accepts solely level-3 (DC “quick” charging) by way of a Tesla charging station. That mentioned, the NACS port will settle for an adaptor to be used of non-Tesla charging stations.
It’s rather a lot to recollect, however finally does present a specific amount of charging flexibility transferring ahead, because the CCS system will finally get replaced by the Tesla NACS commonplace nationwide. However, if you have already got a level-2 charger at residence, it’s doubtless CSS, and none of that is going to matter very a lot you—you’re all set.
Worth
Nissan has described the latest era of the Leaf an EV for customers who’ve already owned an electrical car. This makes some sense, because the Leaf is obtainable in wise value ranges with good—although not excellent—vary, and good, if not loopy energy. Briefly, the Leaf is ideal for folk 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 Shopper Information Greatest Purchase checklist, and predict that this latest model of the maker’s pioneering EV will hit price-conscious electric-car customers with a mix of content material and worth that’s troublesome to disregard. And, for folk searching for a fair higher worth, the approaching S mannequin guarantees to be a category cut price, relying on the way it’s priced.
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2026 Nissan Leaf Photos
