2026 Nissan Leaf First Drive Review

The Nissan Leaf is a veteran of the electric vehicle (EV) market.

Launched in Canada back in 2011, the Leaf helped pioneer affordable electrification. It saw incremental performance improvements in its second generation, but it began to lag behind the rest of the industry as other automakers came out with their own mass-market EVs, which were far more capable and compelling.

Now in its third generation, the 2026 Nissan Leaf is far more competitive than ever. Besides a completely new design, its platform has been modernized, and it now rides on the same underpinnings as the larger Nissan Ariya. Taken together, the changes just might be enough to help the Leaf regain some of its glory as an EV pioneer.

Completely New Design

The biggest change of note this time is that the Leaf is now technically a crossover instead of the quirky hatchback it once was. While actual ground clearance is slightly less than before — it measures 135 mm (5.3 in) at its lowest point versus 150 mm (5.9 in) — and the overall height a little shorter, the body cladding gives the new Leaf a taller look.

The design is far bolder than before, with a lowered roofline, optional black roof, and some bright colour combinations that make it stand out. It takes styling cues from other models in Nissan’s lineup, combining front-end elements from the Ariya with a rear end that almost looks like it was borrowed from the Z sportscar.

Bigger and Better Interior

The proportions of the Leaf have changed for this new generation, as it's now slightly shorter from bumper to bumper — it stretches 4,404 mm (173.4 in) compared to 4,480 mm (176.4 in) last time — but it’s a bit wider. It’s part of Nissan’s effort to maximize interior space, along with the decision to largely eliminate controls on the dashboard and centre console.

The only physical switchgear that remains is the essential stuff, such as volume and climate controls, as well as the ability to access the camera system. This gives the Leaf a minimalistic interior; there isn’t much visual excitement in the trim or details, although some of the colour combinations help. Nissan’s so-called “Zero Gravity” seats, designed with the help of NASA, are also found inside, and they’re designed to alleviate pressure while driving.

The rear seating area is basic yet features some solid amenities. Heated seats and USB-C ports come in the top two trims, including the mid-range SV+ trim tested here. Space isn’t bad, either; there’s decent headroom, although legroom has been sacrificed as part of the shorter overall length.

There’s a bit less cargo room this time, too. The 2026 Leaf has 566 L of space in the trunk versus 668 L in the old model, although there’s 1,572 L with the seats folded compared to 849 L before.

New Platform, New Performance

In the range department, the new Leaf really delivers. Only 75-kWh battery models will be available at launch, but a smaller, more affordable 53-kWh unit will be added later. Range is heavily dependent on the trim, with the S+ having the best figure at 488 km, followed by the SV+ at 463 km and the top-of-the-range Platinum+ with 417 km. All of these far outclass the outgoing model, with the old Leaf offering a maximum of 341 km.

Power comes from a single electric motor motivating the front wheels, with 214 hp and 261 lb-ft of torque. It’s sufficient output for a vehicle this size, with the instant electric torque allowing the Leaf to effortlessly overtake traffic when needed. The new Leaf also handles well, with surprisingly well-weighted steering.

The 2026 Leaf has three drive modes: eco, standard, and sport. In standard mode, the Leaf was pretty efficient, achieving a consumption of around 19.5 kW/h/100 km during this test, which was roughly 200 km. The Leaf also has one-pedal driving, with driver-selectable regenerative braking strength.

As for charging, the Leaf is capable of speeds as fast as 150 kW, which can bring the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in about 35 minutes in ideal conditions. The new Leaf comes with two charge ports: one Tesla-style North American Charging Standard (NACS) port for DC fast-charging, and a Combined Charging System (CCS) port for Level 2 charging.

As for technology, the 2026 Leaf is available with Nissan’s ProPilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system. The infotainment system, meanwhile, is very easy to use; the information is intuitively laid out on the 12.3- or 14.3-inch touchscreen, depending on trim, with all menus and sub-menus easily accessible. The interface is very responsive and easily allows for driver personalization.

The digital instrument display is also nice and allows the driver to customize what information they want shown on screen. (It, too, measures either 12.3- or 14.3 inches, depending on trim.) The top Platinum+ trim also has Nissan’s new electrochromic sunroof, which can change from opaque to transparent in seconds, and can even block off different sections as desired.

Pricing Powerhouse

The 2026 Leaf S+ rings in at $44,998 before freight and tax, while the SV+ is $47,998 and the top-of-the-line Platinum+ is $52,798. Pricing for the entry-level S trim with its smaller 53-kWh battery wasn’t available at the time of this writing, but even then the pricing is comparable to last year. Back then, the base trim was $41,748, and that was for an EV with a 40-kWh battery, while the SV Plus version and its 60-kWh pack was $47,498.

Looking at the rest of the market, the Leaf is still one of the most affordable EVs out there, and is second only to the Fiat 500e as the cheapest in Canada. Otherwise, there’s the Kia Niro EV, Hyundai Kona Electric, and Chevrolet Equinox EV, all of which are priced similarly to the Leaf, especially lower in their lineups.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 Nissan Leaf gets much-needed updates that make it more compelling than ever. The range improvements and overhauled design were key to making the Leaf more competitive. Previously, its range left a lot to be desired and placed the Leaf in an odd market position. The practicality upgrades are also very welcome, as now the interior space feels much more well-utilized than before, and the Leaf can now truly go head to head with other entry-level electric crossovers out there.