A 2026 Nissan Leaf redesign is overdue, but welcome to the EV market. This new version of the Leaf brings the popular little EV into modern times.

The Nissan Leaf was the best-selling EV in America before the Tesla Model Y appeared, but it was eventually overshadowed by the long-range and affordable Tesla. Nissan began much of the electric vehicle conversation with the Leaf, which was the world’s most popular model of its kind for many years. As other EVs emerged, nearly all of which had much better driving ranges, the Leaf faded a bit, but a redesign could be exactly what this little EV needs to become a real competitor in the market.

The look ingratiated it to many drivers

Have you ever seen a puppy and realized that it was so ugly that it was cute? Whether it’s the many wrinkles, the oddball face, or some strange deformity, puppies can be cute even when they aren’t. The first two generations of the Nissan Leaf EV were like that. The shape of this car is a dorky-looking hatchback, which was just cute enough to be popular with some people, but that cuteness only goes so far when it comes to the utility of the EV. Of course, being an affordable EV that’s priced under $30k helps, but that also only goes so far.

Turning over a new Leaf

The 2026 Nissan Leaf redesign puts it squarely in competition with other subcompact electric vehicles. This new model will have a claimed 303-mile driving range, dual charging ports using the NACS and J1772 charging structure, a larger electric SUV design, and will be capable of charging with Tesla Supercharger compatibility. Nissan dropped the mike hard on this new Leaf, giving its popular electric vehicle a real fighting chance at being a more popular choice than other small electric SUVs on the market.

New design makes a huge difference

The biggest story is that the Nissan Leaf will have a 303-mile driving range, but just as important is the new design. The long driving range is listed for the S+ trim, but some of the other trims, including the top Platinum+ trim, won’t have the same driving range as the lower model. If you were to make a list with the Leaf vs Kona Electric EVs compared, the Leaf is more affordable and has a full package of driver-assistance features along with an impressive infotainment system, and the Leaf undercuts the Kona Electric by more than $8,000, making it the most affordable subcompact electric SUV on the market.

How much power does the new Leaf offer?

Part of the 2026 Nissan Leaf redesign is the new powertrain setup. Every Leaf model comes with only one electric motor driving the front wheels. Power comes from a 75-kWh battery pack, giving the base S model 174 horsepower. One step up to the S+ trim gives you 214 horsepower and the longest driving range, which makes this step up worth the slight bump in cost. The acceleration isn’t exciting, but this Nissan EV can keep up with traffic, making it easy to enjoy the Leaf wherever you need to drive. Nissan prioritizes quietness and ride comfort over handling, which means you can enjoy your time on the highway as long as you don’t expect this car to deliver driving thrills of any kind.

Two batteries, but really only one choice

You can have the new Leaf with one of two battery packs, but you’re likely going to want the bigger battery no matter what. The base S trim is the only model that comes with the 52-kWh battery pack, while the rest of the lineup benefits from the larger 75-kWh setup. The S+ trim delivers up to 303 miles of driving range, while the SV+ has 288 miles of range available to you. The Platinum+ can go for 256 miles between charges, which makes the S+ trim the range winner.

All models can use the old-style J1772 port, which is on the driver’s side to access non-Tesla chargers, but there’s also a NACS hookup on the passenger’s side of the car for charging at Tesla Supercharging stations. Nissan estimates the Leaf can charge from 10 to 80 percent in 35 minutes using a 150-kW charging port.

Roomy and ready to go

The 2026 Nissan Leaf redesign allows this popular EV to grow into something more than it was in the past. The SUV build gives you up to 56 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, and a minimalist design theme in the cabin, which looks great with its clean lines.

The new Nissan Leaf is a much more useful and versatile EV than before. It has everything you need to be a great vehicle to drive, and it’s the most affordable EV on the market. Will you choose the 2026 Nissan Leaf to be your daily driver?