Nissan has finally unveiled the third-generation Leaf this year, and early impressions are promising. The new model delivers increased range, faster charging, and more power on its base trim. Standard features now include both NACS and J1772 charging ports, along with a liquid-cooled battery designed to boost cold-weather performance and extend battery life. As an entry-level EV, its success largely hinges on pricing—and with Nissan’s newly announced numbers, the Leaf may not only survive in a competitive market but could potentially thrive.
The Long-Range Leaf Nearly Matches the Old Short-Range Model in Price
When the 2026 Nissan Leaf arrives this fall, it will initially come only with the larger 75-kWh battery pack, with the smaller 52-kWh version arriving a bit later. The base S+ trim will serve as the entry point until the short-range model launches, carrying an MSRP of just $29,990. Including the $1,495 destination charge, the total price comes to $31,485, making it the most affordable EV currently available in the U.S., ahead of the Fiat 500e and Chevrolet Equinox EV. Industry watchers will be keen to see how Chevrolet prices its updated Bolt when it debuts later this year.
The new Nissan Leaf also stacks up impressively against its predecessor. The outgoing short-range Leaf S carried an MSRP of $28,140 plus a $1,140 destination charge, bringing the total to $29,280. In comparison, the new long-range S+ is just $2,205 more, despite nearly doubling the battery capacity.
Looking at the outgoing SV+ with its 60-kWh pack and total starting price of $37,330, the new S+ comes in nearly $6,000 cheaper. Even when comparing the old and new SV+ trims directly, the latest Nissan Leaf still undercuts its predecessor. A full breakdown of all trims and starting prices is provided below.
|
Trim |
Price |
| S+ | $31,485 |
| SV+ | $35,725 |
| Platinum+ | $40,485 |
Keep in mind, these prices apply only to the Nissan Leaf equipped with the larger battery. The smaller-battery model—the S trim without the “+”—will come in at an even lower price, likely putting it well under the $30,000 mark. Naturally, it won’t offer the same range as the long-range version.
Plenty of Range and Advanced Safety Features
The Nissan Leaf S+ also leads the lineup in range, boasting an official 303 miles on a full charge. The SV+ follows closely at 288 miles, while the Platinum+ rounds out the lineup at 259 miles. All trims share the same battery and motor, which delivers 214 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. Charging speeds have been increased to a maximum of 150 kW.
For drivers in colder climates, the SV+ and Platinum+ are particularly appealing, as they come standard with a heat pump and offer an optional battery heater. The heat pump efficiently warms the cabin in low temperatures, helping preserve range, while the battery heater supports faster charging when it’s cold outside.
Beyond the powertrain, every Nissan Leaf comes equipped with dual screens for infotainment and driver instruments—12.3-inch displays on the S+ and 14.3-inch screens on higher trims—along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Safety is also well-covered, with features including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning with intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, surround-view cameras, and adaptive cruise control with lane-centering.
