The third-generation 2026 Nissan LEAF has arrived, and its new identity is less hatchback, more crossover. With nearly 700,000 LEAFs sold globally and over 28 billion kilometers of electric driving under its belt, Nissan’s latest offering aims to recapture its crown in a crowded EV market.
Gone is the bubble-like silhouette of the original or the conservative lines of the second generation. Instead, Nissan delivers a fastback crossover with dynamic body lines and an SUV-like stance. A sculpted front fascia, near-seamless hood, and flush door handles contribute to a drag coefficient of 0.26 in the U.S. and Japan (0.25 in Europe), a notable improvement over the previous model’s 0.29. “We made it simple and clean, yet with a more energetic feeling,” says Tase Nobutaka, program design director at Nissan. “We ensured the all-new LEAF has a dynamic shape, testing it time and again to reach our ambitious aerodynamic targets.”
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Step inside, and the LEAF’s cabin feels like a breath of fresh air. Built on Nissan’s CMF-EV platform, shared with the Ariya SUV, the interior features a 64-color ambient lighting system, dual 14.3-inch displays with Google Automotive Services, including Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Play Store. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard on S and S+ trims, while a NissanConnect EV & Services app lets owners control features like door locks, climate settings, and even headlights from their smartphone or smartwatch.
Despite looking radically different, it’s just as powerful, as the third-generation Nissan LEAF comes equipped with a 75-kWh liquid-cooled battery pack, generating 214 hp and 261 lb-ft of torque, good for an EPA-estimated 303 miles per charge. A more budget-friendly 52-kWh variant, with 154 hp and 254 lb-ft of torque, is slated for spring 2026. The LEAF’s new 3-in-1 powertrain—melding motor, inverter, and reducer—amps up efficiency and sharpens response, while a multi-link rear suspension, beefed up with 66% more lateral stiffness, makes for a nimbler, smoother ride. Chief Vehicle Engineer Hiroki Isobe puts the spotlight on efficiency: “The top priority for our engineering team was optimizing thermal management and never wasting energy. We even capture the heat produced by the on-board charger to warm the battery.” This clever heat-recovery trick boosts cold-weather charging, letting the LEAF juice up to 250 km of range in just 14 minutes on a 150-kW DC fast charger (European WLTP spec), while U.S. models can go from 10-80% in 35 minutes per EPA tests.
For North American buyers, the LEAF introduces dual charging ports: a NACS port on the passenger side for access to Tesla’s Supercharger network and a J1772 port on the driver’s side for Level 1 and 2 charging. Plug & Charge functionality simplifies the process, making top-ups as seamless as swiping a credit card. “We know one of the barriers for EV adoption globally is anxiety over long distances,” says Richard Candler, Vice President of Global Product Strategy. “With the all-new LEAF’s intelligent route planner, synchronized with Google Automotive Services, finding charging locations along a route is easy and intuitive.”
Nissan’s obsession with the little things shines through in the 2026 LEAF’s driving experience, anchored by a polished suspension and a stiffer body that keeps things planted. The cabin’s quieter too—shaving up to 2 decibels at 31 mph compared to the older model, making it a calmer ride. A tighter turning radius, improved by nearly 4 inches despite bigger wheels, makes zipping through city streets a breeze. The LEAF also packs 3D holographic taillights and an optional Bose audio system. With color choices like Seabreeze Blue Pearl, Coulis Red Pearl, and Everest White Pearl Tricoat (all offering black roof options), drivers can make it their own.
Going head-to-head with the Tesla Model Y, Volkswagen ID.4, and BYD Atto 3, the 2026 LEAF keeps its price tag under $40,000, delivering serious bang for the buck. Built at Nissan’s Tochigi plant in Japan and Sunderland factory in England, it’ll hit U.S. roads starting this fall.
