Automotive

Everything new in the 2026 Nissan Leaf electric crossover

Everything new in the 2026 Nissan Leaf electric crossover
For its third-generation revamp, the Nissan Leaf has transformed from a hatchback to a coupe-SUV
For its third-generation revamp, the Nissan Leaf has transformed from a hatchback to a coupe-SUV
View 8 Images
For its third-generation revamp, the Nissan Leaf has transformed from a hatchback to a coupe-SUV
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For its third-generation revamp, the Nissan Leaf has transformed from a hatchback to a coupe-SUV
Dual 14.3-inch screens and a head-up display complement the handy physical controls on the dashboard
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Dual 14.3-inch screens and a head-up display complement the handy physical controls on the dashboard
Nissan says the new Leaf is the most aerodynamic model in the 15-year lineup, and that contributes greatly to its longer range
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Nissan says the new Leaf is the most aerodynamic model in the 15-year lineup, and that contributes greatly to its longer range
Nissan seems proud – and rightly so – of these striking 3D holographic taillights
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Nissan seems proud – and rightly so – of these striking 3D holographic taillights
The interior gets a dimmable panoramic roof, as well as a Bose system with 'headphone' tech in the headrests
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The interior gets a dimmable panoramic roof, as well as a Bose system with 'headphone' tech in the headrests
The updated cabin should comfortably seat five adults, and offer 56 cubic feet of storage with the rear seat folded down
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The updated cabin should comfortably seat five adults, and offer 56 cubic feet of storage with the rear seat folded down
These flush door handles aren't just for show – they also help reduce drag
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These flush door handles aren't just for show – they also help reduce drag
You can get up to 303 miles of range with the 75-kWh battery pack
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You can get up to 303 miles of range with the 75-kWh battery pack
View gallery - 8 images

Nissan just revealed details on what to expect with its upcoming 2026 Leaf electric vehicle (EV), and it's quite a step up from the current model year.

We're talking all-new styling, longer range on a single charge, and a refreshed cabin with improved creature comforts. Oh, and it's no longer a hatchback.

Indeed, the third-generation Leaf breaks from tradition in more ways than one. Gone are the compact body style and the downward-facing angular grille that's subtly evolved over the model's last 15 years of existence. In their place, you'll see a coupe-SUV with full-width headlights common to many new cars on the market.

There are a bunch more changes that set the new Leaf apart from its predecessor. Here's everything that's new and worth a closer look when you take it for a test drive.

Exterior

Despite its appearance, the new Leaf is actually smaller than the outgoing hatchback by a wee bit. It has a shorter wheelbase, it's shorter by 0.4 inches (1 cm), and has a touch less ground clearance too.

Nissan says the new Leaf is the most aerodynamic model in the 15-year lineup, and that contributes greatly to its longer range
Nissan says the new Leaf is the most aerodynamic model in the 15-year lineup, and that contributes greatly to its longer range

However, there's a bit more cargo area in the new model when you fold down the rear seat: 56 cubic feet (1,586 liters) compared to 30 cubic feet (850 liters) in the 2025 version.

There are LEDs gracing the new front fascia lighting, as well as the 3D holographic taillights. You'll also notice flush door handles and up to 19-inch alloy wheels depending on the trim you choose.

Nissan seems proud – and rightly so – of these striking 3D holographic taillights
Nissan seems proud – and rightly so – of these striking 3D holographic taillights

Under the hood

The new top-end Leaf's front-wheel drive powertrain puts out 214 hp – the same as the last model's SV Plus variant – albeit with 261 lb.ft (354 Nm) of torque instead of 250 lb.ft (339 Nm). The bigger difference is in the base model, which does 174 hp and 254 lb.ft (344 Nm) instead of 147 hp and 236 lb.ft (320 Nm).

Nissan says it's worked extensively on aerodynamics and bigger battery packs to extend range. So you're looking at 303 miles (487.6 km) of range from the 75-kWh battery, up from 212 miles (341 km) with the older 60-kWh pack; the company hasn't said what its base model 52-kWh battery will be good for.

You can get up to 303 miles of range with the 75-kWh battery pack
You can get up to 303 miles of range with the 75-kWh battery pack

Whichever variant you go for, you'll get faster charging than the previous Leaf, as well as the inclusion of an NACS charging port that will let you use Tesla's network of Superchargers.

Interior

The new cabin gets a tech glow-up, with larger dual 14.3-inch displays, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera feed to help you slot near charging points more easily.

Dual 14.3-inch screens and a head-up display complement the handy physical controls on the dashboard
Dual 14.3-inch screens and a head-up display complement the handy physical controls on the dashboard

There are also a bunch of nice-to-have features, including a dimming panoramic roof, a Bose audio system with the ability to tune the sound stage for just you or the whole cabin, and headphone tech built into the headrests.

The interior gets a dimmable panoramic roof, as well as a Bose system with 'headphone' tech in the headrests
The interior gets a dimmable panoramic roof, as well as a Bose system with 'headphone' tech in the headrests

Nissan says you can expect better acceleration this time around, and adjustable regenerative braking with paddles to control coasting and deceleration.

The updated cabin should comfortably seat five adults, and offer 56 cubic feet of storage with the rear seat folded down
The updated cabin should comfortably seat five adults, and offer 56 cubic feet of storage with the rear seat folded down

All these updates equate to a notable refresh that's worth a close look at the dealership when it arrives later this year. Pricing is yet to be revealed, but it will likely start somewhere above the current model's just-below-US$30,000 mark, but under $40,000.

Check out the new model over on Nissan's site.

Source: Nissan

View gallery - 8 images
10 comments
10 comments
ArthurGD3
Sadly those holographic tail lights are unique to the highest Platinum+ trim and if that wasn't bad enough, the tailgate portion of those lights are completely missing on the bottom and middle trims and it looks noticeably worse IMO.
Aside from that, interior looks good but I read somewhere else that it won't feature a one-pedal driving option which after driving a Tesla part time as my only exposure to a BEV, it's easily one of my favorite aspects of that car and something I'd consider a must have if I was seriously considering getting a BEV.
YourAmazonOrder
It’s a… Volksleafstang. That thing has more stolen parts than a Los Angeles chop shop.
YourAmazonOrder
It looks like Ford and Volkswagen had angry hate sex with Nissan and this new Leaf is the cathartic result, each contributing its own design DNA, but none willing to claim parentage, instead suggesting that 28% of the car companies in existence could be the father to Time magazine.
paul314
If 75 kw is good for 300 miles, 52 will likely do about 200 or a bit more. Seems like a good chunk more money for not all that much more car.
Chase
Looks like just another ugly lift-back sedan glued to the top of a skateboard EV chassis. Hard pass.
DavidB
@ArthurGD3, my wife’s Bolt has “true” one-pedal driving in that it will coast to a complete stop when I take my foot off the accelerator.
My Kona has stronger regen and slows very well until just shy of a full stop. I have to touch the brake pedal at that last moment to stop the car. If I tap the regen paddle while stopped, though, the car will remain stopped until I accelerate again. It’s an OK alternative, but I’ve always wondered why they didn’t go that fianl step. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
sleekmarlin
I'm really surprised Nissan and Toyota were at the cutting edge of EV tech 20 years ago, and then their R&D fell asleep. I am also surprised that car manufacters don't have a simple check list of what customers want in an EV: one pedal driving, physical knobs, 360 camera, LED lights, decent cable storage, etc.
Chase
@sleekmarlin, not all of us want one pedal driving or fancy cameras. Personally, I'd rather have a normal brake pedal and "visibility". I'd happily give up rollover/side-impact protection and A-/B-pillar airbags to have better visibility. Yeah, new cars seem like they could survive re-entry from Low Earth Orbit, but I feel like I'm driving around in a Gemini capsule that's been given the Pimp My Ride treatment.
Uncle Anonymous
Not a fan of the abundance of the touch screen controls. “The overuse of touchscreens is an industry-wide problem. Almost every vehicle maker is moving key controls onto central touchscreens, obliging drivers to take their eyes off the road and raising the risk of distraction crashes,” - Matthew Avery, Euro NCAP’s director of strategic development
Loc
This dog won't hunt. Like the other EVs, folks don't want them because they don't help anything and cost too much.