The third model, the Nissan Leaf, doesn’t resemble the popular hatchback style; instead, it has an SUV-like shape. The Leaf’s range is longer, thanks to larger batteries, and the powertrains are more powerful, thanks to upgrades. The 2026 Leaf, despite its SUV-style design, will not include all-wheel drive. While Nissan wasn’t the inventor of electric cars, the Leaf, launched in 2010, was the first EV to achieve high-volume sales. Now, in its third iteration, the Leaf has undergone significant changes, including entering a new market niche and incorporating new battery and powertrain technologies. All the specs and information from the reveal that you need to see the changes between this new model and the one that you can buy right now are included. Most people will notice that the Leaf has undergone a shape change for 2026. It used to be a small hatchback, but Nissan’s smallest electric vehicle can be transformed into an SUV, or at least something that resembles an SUV. In addition, it employs a design language that is increasingly evident in Nissan’s cars, such as the newest Kicks and Murano. The 2026 Leaf features a sleek, futuristic interior, and the Platinum+ trim includes a glass canopy with adjustable tinting. The new Leaf appears more upright, but it occupies slightly less space because its overall length has been reduced to 173.4 inches (down from 176.4 inches), and its wheelbase has been shortened to 105.9 inches (from 106.3 inches). The 2026 Leaf is 61.3 inches tall, which is a little shorter than the 2025 Leaf’s peak height of 61.7 inches. The ground clearance has slightly decreased from 5.9 inches to 5.3 inches. Although the 2026 Leaf is more compact than a typical SUV, its dimensions and high beltline give it an SUV-like look. With the new segment classification, the starting position will be a little higher. The headroom in the front seats of the new model decreases from 41.2 inches to 39.9 inches, but the hip and shoulder room increases, as does the width slightly. In addition to 8.9 inches more legroom, people in the back seats have 42.4 inches more hip and shoulder room but a slightly smaller space. The maximum cargo space has increased significantly despite the new Leaf having a shorter overall length and a liftback design instead of a more open hatch. The 2026 Leaf can hold 56 cubic feet of gear when the back seats are folded down, up from 30 cubic feet. However, with the addition of the large new back seat, there is slightly less room now, only 20 cubes instead of 24 in the 2025 model. The entertainment systems have also undergone significant improvements. Higher trims come equipped with 14.3-inch screens throughout, while the S and S+ models now feature 12.3-inch gauge and center displays an upgrade from the previous model’s 8-inch screens. On the SV+ and Platinum+ models, Google is built into the entertainment system. All of them have wireless connections for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Although it’s a new SUV, the 2026 Leaf is only available with front-wheel drive, just like its predecessors. With a 174-hp electric motor that produces 254 pound-feet of torque, compared to the previous 147-hp/236-pound-foot motor, the base engine is significantly more powerful. The more powerful variant continues to deliver 214 horsepower but now produces 261 pound-feet of torque. The “+” powertrain adds 15 kWh to the battery, making the total capacity 75 kWh. The standard powertrain’s battery now has 52 kWh of capacity, up from 40 kWh. The 2026 Leaf will travel significantly farther between charges because it is more aerodynamic and features larger batteries. The most fuel-efficient model with the “+” engine is expected to have a range of 303 miles, representing a significant increase from the previous highest range of 212 miles. Nissan has not yet released the range numbers for the base engine, which could be as high as 149 miles. That only works for the S+. The Platinum+ can connect up to 259 miles away, and the SV+ can travel 288 miles before needing to be charged. For Level 1 and Level 2 charging, each new Leaf will have a J1772 charge plug. It will also feature a Tesla-style NACS port, allowing it to connect to the Supercharger network for DC fast charging. The 2025 Leaf is available in two trim levels: S, which features the base engine, and SV Plus, which offers more power. The S+, SV+, and Platinum+ trims all utilize the 214-horsepower setup paired with a larger battery. In 2026, Nissan will also offer an S-grade model with an enhanced base engine. Nissan hasn’t announced the price of the third-generation Leaf, but we expect it to be higher than the current model’s base price of $29,280.
