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The third-generation 2026 Nissan Leaf compact EV is the latest reincarnation of the venerable 15-year-old hatchback design. I remember testing a first-generation Leaf back in 2010. It had a paltry EV driving range of only 160 kilometres and took all day to charge. Fast forward to 2026, and the latest Leaf can travel up to an estimated 488 kilometres on a single charge, which now takes just minutes – not hours. The new version looks good, with nice proportions and retains the five-door hatchback versatility in a swoopy modern design. With a drag coefficient of 0.26, the new Leaf is Nissan’s most aerodynamic vehicle ever. Flush-retracting door handles, active grille shutters, sleek wheel designs, and a flat underfloor all contribute to the vehicle’s aerodynamics.
A sleek modern interior with more space for rear passengers and the latest technology are all present. Cargo space behind the front-row seats improves substantially. Every 2026 Leaf will feature vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability through an external adapter, allowing it to charge electronic devices and small appliances directly from the car’s battery pack. The Platinum+ grade will add a household plug in the cabin and another in the cargo area, which can draw a combined discharge of 1500 watts. Further engineering upgrades include a revised electric power steering system, which reduces the Leaf’s turning radius. A new multi-link rear suspension increases lateral stiffness by 66%, thereby improving handling and ride comfort.
The 2026 Nissan Leaf Plus model features a new, upgraded powertrain with more efficient and powerful electric motors, as well as two available battery sizes. A larger 75-kWh battery pack is available for the pricier + denoted models. Additionally, a standard, smaller 52-kWh battery pack is also available on the cheaper S models starting from spring 2026. The battery is now liquid-cooled, and in Canada, a heat pump is standard equipment on the 2026 Leaf.
With its new 75-kWh battery, the 2026 Nissan Leaf offers an estimated range of up to 488 kilometres in its S+ trim. The SV+ trim has a 463 km range, while the top-tier loaded Platinum+ trim offers 417 km of EV range. All Plus versions come with an electric motor that produces 214 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque (up from the current SV Plus’s 250 lb-ft). The S grade, equipped with a 52-kWh battery pack and a motor producing 174 hp and 254 lb-ft of torque, is expected to arrive in early 2026.
In terms of charging, a new NACS charge port is available for use at Tesla Supercharger stations. Level 3 and Level 2 home charging is still possible, and Nissan says an adapter will be available for those who already own a Tesla home charger. With a peak charging speed of 150 kW, the 2026 Nissan Leaf will be able to recover its charge from 10% to 80% in as little as 25 minutes.
In terms of trim, the Leaf S ($44,998) and S+ trims ($47,998) will arrive with 18-inch steel wheels. The SV+ ($52,798) features 18-inch alloy wheels, while the Platinum+ comes standard with 19-inch wheels. Standard equipment on all Leafs will include Nissan’s zero-gravity seats, heated in the front. The Platinum+ trim also includes 64-color ambient lighting and an electrochromic panoramic sunroof that can be darkened at the push of a button. On the Platinum+ trim, the cargo area is accessible with a kick-activated liftgate.
Base S and S+ Leaf trims will receive dual 12.3-inch screens for the infotainment and digital instrument cluster. Nissan’s operating system comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SV+ and Platinum+ trims add twin 14.3-inch screens running Google Built-in, which incorporates Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store.
Four- and six-speaker sound systems are standard, while the Platinum+ comes with a Bose 10-speaker audio system with headrest speakers. A surround-view camera system is standard starting at the S+ grade, which provides a view around the car from eight angles, including an invisible hood view that helps spot obstacles underneath the engine bay. The Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of driver assistance technologies will be standard on every 2026 Leaf in Canada. You can expect the new Nissan Leaf in showrooms by the fall of 2025.
2026 Nissan Leaf – Priced from $44,998 to $52,798.
