The Nissan Leaf has existed since before most automakers even dreamed of producing and selling EVs – 2010 – though obviously, a lot has changed since then. The second-generation Leaf debuted for the 2018 model year, but did so with battery technology that has since become, well, a bit ancient compared to its rivals. However, we’ve known for some time that a third-generation model was in the works, and now, the 2026 Nissan Leaf has debuted as an all-new rival to the (also recently updated) Ford Mustang Mach-E.
The 2026 Nissan Leaf represents a rather massive departure from the second-generation model, starting on the outside with a sleek exterior that looks more like a crossover than a hatchback. Thanks to that new shape, retractable door handles, and a fastback-like roofline, the Leaf has a drag coefficient of 0.26, compared to 0.29 for the outgoing model, and it’s three inches shorter, to boot.
No matter which 2026 Nissan Leaf trim level one chooses, they’re all equipped with a single electric motor. The base S trim churns out 174 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque at the front wheels, while the rest of the lineup gets 214 horsepower and 261 pound-feet, though no AWD is available. Every trim other than the S (which comes with a 52 kWh battery pack) also gets a 75 kWh battery pack providing as much as 303 miles of range in S+ guise, while larger wheels reduce that figure to 288 miles for the SV+ and 259 miles for the Platinum+ trim.
Charging has improved from the old model as well, going from a max of 50 kilowatts up to 150 on a DC fast charger. At that speed, it takes around 35 minutes to get from 10 to 80 percent, while Level 2 AC charging tops out at a mere 7.2 kilowatts. Nissan gave the new Leaf a variety of battery thermal management improvements, a standard heat pump, and a resin cover for the battery pack, all of which are intended to help prevent range loss and keep charging speeds more consistent. Interestingly, the 2026 Nissan Leaf comes with an NACS port on the passenger side and a J1772 port on the driver’s side, though one will need an adapter to use CCS chargers.
Inside the cabin, the 2026 Nissan Leaf S and S+ are equipped with 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and infotainment screens, while the SV+ and Platinum+ get two 14.3-inch units. Customers can also opt for a number of niceties such as an electrically dimming panoramic roof and a Bose stereo system. Pricing has yet to be announced, but we should know more as we get closer to the launch of the all-new Leaf, currently slated for this coming fall.
Comment
It isn’t a rival to the Mach-E. Maybe to a futire Focus electric model. The Leaf is much smaller and very less powered.