The 2026 Nissan Leaf Is the Cheapest New EV—and a Cheaper Version’s On the Way
Nissan is expanding the Leaf lineup with more trim levels, new tech, and more, while keeping prices aggressive.
Justin BannerWriterManufacturerPhotographerAug 19, 2025
027 2026 Nissan Leaf
We’re sure everyone was taken aback by the drastic turnaround, at least stylistically, for Nissan’s third-generation Leaf EV. A somewhat dorky looking hatchback for two generations dating back to 2010, it has grown into sort of stylish SUV. Sure, it might only be an SUV in appearance—even with more ground clearance than before and a taller roof, it’s still only available with front-wheel drive—but the point is, the Leaf is much, much different now. With the 2026 Leaf fully revealed, the only question left is how much money it’ll cost. Nissan has mostly revealed that detail—but for most of the lineup save for what will be the cheapest Leaf, the entry-level S. Even so, Nissan claims that the new Leaf, even in not-entry-level S Plus form, will be the least-expensive new EV available in America when it goes on sale this fall.
Let’s preface all this by reminding you that the 2026 Nissan Leaf is not simply last year’s Leaf with a new look. It uses an all-new architecture, and takes big steps forward as, well, an EV, ditching its oddball—and rare—CHAdeMO DC fast-charging plug design for a conventional J1772 port for AC charging on the front left fender, and a NACS-style port for DC fast charging on its passenger-side front fender.
Having the J1772 port for AC charging makes life a bit easier, according to Nissan, as there are a great many Level 2 chargers using that design available nationwide today. Its location near the front of the Leaf also allows drivers to simply pull forward into a parking spot for charging, rather than backing in. On the other hand—er, side, of the Leaf—placing the NACS port on the right side of the vehicle makes it similarly easy to pull up to a Tesla Supercharger stall and reduces the need for adapters for owners.
Another advancement courtesy of the Leaf’s new architecture? The 2026 Leaf can connect to external devices directly thanks to its Vehicle-to-Load capability. While limited to a 3.45-kW AC output and the need for an adapter for the J1772 port, that’s still enough to power most essential appliances in your house or to stuff for the camping trip might take your 2026 Leaf on. Because, you know, it’s an “SUV” now.
022 2026 Nissan Leaf
Now, for Those 2026 Nissan Leaf Trim Levels
Last year, the Leaf was available in two versions: S and SV Plus, with either a 40-kWh battery or, on the Plus, a 60-kWh unit. For the new 2026 model, that lineup expands by two, so the family now includes an S, S Plus, SV Plus, and Platinum. (Nissan uses “S+” and “SV+” in its materials.) For now, the Leaf S is the only model to get a smaller 53-kWh battery pack, which gives its single electric motor 174 hp. The other Leaf models, from the S Plus to the Platinum, utilize a 75-kWh battery that ups the motor’s output to 214 hp. All Leafs are front-wheel drive.
Nissan Leaf S | Price TBD: Equipment for the S is basic but thorough. Nissan’s HD Enhanced Around View Monitor and 12.3-inch infotainment and 12.3-inch digital instrument displays are standard. The infotainment is connected to a mere four-speaker sound system that can also utilize wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for your connected devices. The front USB-C ports allow for data and charging and come standard. You’ll also gain ProPilot Assist standard along with the Intelligent Key system, and Nissan’s standard suite of automated safety features like blind spot and cross-traffic assistance.
Consider us a little surprised that 18-inch steel wheels with aerodynamic covers will be standard on the S (wrapped in 215/55R18 Yokohama Avid GT tires) and even S Plus, a curiosity in a world where aluminum wheels are increasingly the norm even on base models. Those looking at a Leaf S should know that this price leader version will have late availability, following the other (more expensive) Leafs to market. It also isn’t presently known what sort of range we can expect from this smaller-battery Leaf.
Nissan Leaf S Plus | $31,485: Step up to the S Plus, the first new trim for the 2026 Leaf, and you’ll get all the standard features from the S combined with that larger battery and more powerful motor. This variant is claimed to deliver the best range in the Leaf lineup—303 miles, a huge improvement over the 2025 Leaf’s 212 mile maximum—and, at launch, will be the least-expensive (until the S arrives later), starting at $31,485. As Nissan points out, the S Plus’ price tag is actually lower than that of the original 2011 Leaf. Otherwise, the S Plus is the same as the S trim, in terms of equipment and looks.
Nissan Leaf SV Plus | $35,725: The SV Plus replaces the lesser models’ steelies and hubcaps with 18-inch aluminum wheels using the same Yokohama tires. You also gain LED turn signals in the exterior mirrors and a set of heated front seats covered in TailorFit synthetic material. The driver’s seat is eight-way powered, while the passenger chair gets six-way manual adjustment. The rear seats also gain a center armrest (but are just standard cloth material), as well as a pair of air vents as part of the upgraded heat pump HVAC system along with a Divide-and-Hide cargo system.
The screens for the instrumentation and infotainment grow to 14.3 inches each, and you get NissanConnect services like Google Built-In and Door-to-Door Nissan Navigation. The SV Plus also gains two extra audio speakers (for six total), a wireless charging pad, and two charging-only USB-C ports for the rear seats. Performance-wise, the addition of regenerative braking paddles gives the driver options in how much regen is performed when lifting one’s foot off the accelerator. Other improvements include front parking sensors and a sunglasses holder. These upgrades, however, come with a price: Range. Nissan says the SV Plus delivers a lower 288 miles of range relative to the lighter S Plus with the same powertrain.
010 2026 Nissan Leaf
Nissan Leaf Platinum Plus | $40,485: Top of the line for any Nissan model is now the Platinum Plus trim, and now the 2026 Nissan Leaf has one (pictured here). Most of the SV Plus features transfer over to the Leaf Platinum Plus, but there are some major differences starting with a set of 19-inch aluminum wheels fitted with a set of 235/45R19 Bridgestone Alenza Sport All-Season tires. You can bet these big rollers are the reason why the (also heavier) Platinum Plus delivers the lowest range of the big-battery 2026 Leafs—259 miles.
Another major visual change are the signature “3D” taillights. These trick looking lights stack two on top of each other on the liftgate side and three side-by-side on the body side. When looking at it from the passenger side, you’ll read it as “2” and “3,” which are pronounced “Nii” (like “knee”) and “San” in Japanese. When you put the two together, you’ll get the long-time connection of the “23” in all of Nissan’s motorsports uses and the taillight design here.
While not as obvious from the outside, the exterior mirror gains a heated element and memory positioning while the roof gains a dimmable panoramic glass. Inside, the steering wheel gains a heated element and is joined by multi-color ambient lighting, a powered liftgate, TailorFit interior materials, heated rear seats, a heads-up display, a frameless auto-dimming interior rearview mirror, and the Bose Personal Plus audio system with 10 speakers. While all 2026 Nissan Leafs gain V2L at the J1772 port, you gain a V2L plug at the cargo area on the Platinum Plus trim and can be joined by an optional 120-volt power outlet.
The 2026 Nissan Leaf is scheduled to go on sale in the fall, and now that we know (most) of the lineup’s pricing, we can say for sure that Nissan has gone appropriately aggressive. For now—given Chevrolet’s new Bolt is on the horizon, and previously was sold for less money—the 2026 Leaf is the least-expensive new EV you can buy, even in step-up S Plus trim. It’s possible Nissan holds that title with a seriously low-priced Leaf S when that model (and its MSRP) becomes available later on. It’s also possible Nissan and Chevy are locked in a game of pricing chicken, and we’ll see how the dust settles when the new Bolt arrives this fall.
Still, with hot competition in the low-priced EV space, mostly from Chevrolet’s Equinox EV (which starts around $35,000 and delivers up to 315 miles of range), Nissan needed to keep the Leaf’s price low, and with almost the entire lineup starting at or below $40,000, we think it did a good job, especially given the model’s improvements and larger batteries.
This story was originally published June 2025, and has since been updated to include prices for the 2026 Leaf lineup.
Justin Banner
Having experience in many forms of the automotive industry, Justin Banner has done more than just write about cars. For more than 15 years, he’s had experience working as an automotive service technician—including a stint as a Virginia State Inspector—service advisor, parts sales, and aftermarket parts technical advisor (a fancy way of saying he helped you on the phone when you had trouble fitting your brakes over your aftermarket wheels and the like). Prior to his tenure as a full-time editor, Justin worked as a freelance writer and photographer for various publications and as an automotive content creator on YouTube. He’s also covered multiple forms of motorsports ranging from Formula Drift, drag racing, and time attack, to NASCAR, short course off-roading, and open desert racing. He’s best known for breaking down complex technical concepts so a layperson can more easily understand why technologies, repairs, and parts should matter to them. At MotorTrend, Justin is part of the news team covering breaking news and topics while also working as a judge for MotorTrend Of the Year events and other major comparison tests.
