Oh, Look What the EV Cat Dragged In: The New, Definitely-Not-a-Hatchback Leaf
Image Credit: Nissan.
A familiar face has undergone a bit of a growth spurt. The new Nissan Leaf is no longer the wallflower of the EV prom. It's decided it wants to be the star quarterback, or at least the stylish cheer captain.
The previous Leaf models weren't exactly winning beauty contests; they had that certain "I tried my best" charm, but "sleek" wasn't exactly the first word that sprang to mind. More like an "amiable appliance." But it did its job without any complaints. It was dependable, quiet, and got you from A to B without much fuss, as long as B wasn't too far from A. After 15 years of that dutiful performance, Nissan decided it was about time for a radical makeover. And by radical, I mean they've thrown out the hatchback rulebook and embraced the crossover craze with the zeal of a teenager discovering TikTok.
Image Credit: Nissan.
Drumroll please... the 2026 Nissan Leaf is officially an SUV. Or, to be more precise, a "crossover coupe" because we can't just have simple categories anymore. This new Leaf has decided it's got a bit of a sporty side, with a sloping roofline and some rather aggressive, slim LED headlights that look like they mean business. Gone are the days of looking perpetually surprised! The front is a smooth, body-colored panel, which I assume is for optimal aerodynamics since this new Leaf is apparently Nissan's most aerodynamic production vehicle ever, with a drag coefficient as low as 0.25.
Measuring in at about 173.4 inches long, the new Leaf is actually a smidge more compact than its predecessor. Funny how things work out, isn't it? Smaller on the outside, but thanks to some clever design on the inside, it feels rather spacious. It even has flush door handles on the front and cunningly tucked rear handles in the C-pillars. It's all very "I'm trying to look sophisticated." The rear has a little attitude, borrowing some design cues from the Nissan Z sports car. Who knew the Leaf had such a rebellious streak?
Image Credit: Nissan.
Nothing can prepare you for the minimalist revolution inside. The dashboard is practically a giant iPad, featuring either dual 12.3-inch or upgraded 14.3-inch screens for all your instrumentation and infotainment needs. Nissan did, however, keep some buttons for gear selection, which is a relief, but I must admit, their execution of said buttons feels a tad like an afterthought.
For those who enjoy a bit of razzle-dazzle, there's an optional panoramic roof with "e-Dimming" technology - it can turn opaque at the touch of a button. No more wrestling with a flimsy sunshade! This really is living in the future, isn't it? The spacious feel inside is thanks to the CMF-EV platform, which is the same one used for the Nissan Ariya, meaning a completely flat floor. You can finally stretch out those legs or perhaps even do a little interpretive dance while waiting for your car to charge.
Image Credit: Nissan.
The new Leaf will be exclusively front-wheel drive, which is a bit of a shame for those of us who like a bit of all-wheel-drive grip, but let's not quibble too much. You get two options for battery and power. The entry-level model sports a 52-kilowatt-hour battery, paired with a motor kicking out a respectable 174 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque. Not going to win any drag races, but certainly enough to get you to your favorite coffee shop with a smile.
For those with a bit more wanderlust, there's a flagship version with a larger 75-kilowatt-hour battery. This one bumps up the power to a peppy 214 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. Nissan also focused on making this new motor quieter (75% quieter, they say!) and 10% smaller - less noise, more space, more power. It's almost as if they've actually been listening to us… It took them only 15 years. The chassis has been stiffened by 66% as well, and there's a new multi-link rear suspension, which promises more agile and comfortable handling. The new Leaf should actually be fun to drive, not just efficient.
Image Credit: Nissan.
As for range, the larger 75-kilowatt-hour battery is touted to deliver up to 303 miles on a full charge. That's a good chunk of change, mileage-wise. And here's the truly impressive part for us impatient types: using a DC fast charger, this new Leaf can apparently gain 155 miles of range in 14 minutes. And a 10-80% charge? About 35 minutes. That's just enough time to grab a surprisingly expensive coffee and ponder the meaning of electric vehicles. Oh, and you'll be happy to know the Leaf is getting the NACS port, giving you access to Tesla's Supercharger network.
It's truly wild to think that Nissan has sold nearly 700,000 Leafs globally since its debut in 2010. That's a lot of quiet, emissions-free miles. Nissan says they've poured over a decade of customer feedback into this new generation, trying to create an EV that can truly go head-to-head with traditional gasoline cars in terms of convenience and desirability. And you know what? With its sleeker looks, improved performance, and that handy quick charging, the 2026 Nissan Leaf sure looks like a winner, at least on paper. It'll all now hinge on a price - I hope Nissan can get this one right.
