The Nissan Leaf is finally getting the makeover it deserves

Nissan revealed new details about the upcoming 2026 Leaf, which will return as a crossover SUV with up to 303 miles of estimated range, dual charge ports, and Google’s software built-in. The reborn Leaf will reach dealerships in the US starting this fall at a yet-to-be-announced price.

The first-gen Leaf was somewhat charming — in a ugly kind of way. The second gen was not much better, with bland styling and an outdated CHAdeMO charging port that practically screamed “obsolete.”

The 2026 Leaf is a significant improvement over previous generations in almost every way. Gone is the frumpy hatchback, replaced by a sleek, stylish crossover with improved aerodynamics (0.26 drag coefficient, down from 0.29) and an estimated range between 259 and 303 miles (up dramatically over the current maximum range of 212 miles).

The new Leaf will also set itself apart with dual charge ports, one a standard CCS-compatible port and an additional NACS port that allows access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network. This is sure to make refueling the 2026 Leaf a better experience than it was with the old CHAdeMO-equipped models.

“We have completely reconstructed the values of the next-generation Leaf,” said Tase Nobutaka, program design director at Nissan, in the press release. “We made it simple and clean, yet with a more energetic feeling. We ensured the all-new Leaf has a dynamic shape, testing it time and time again to reach our ambitious aerodynamic targets.”

It’s a huge step up from the current Leaf, which was last refreshed in 2023. Despite its status as a pioneering EV with its zero-emission powertrain and affordable starting price, the Leaf was teetering on the brink of discontinuation as Nissan struggled with low sales and declining relevancy. Now it has been resurrected and revived with a set of specs more compatible with the current era than the one from which it emerged.

Car buyers, especially Americans, have soured on hatchbacks, preferring anything resembling an SUV. Even the frumpy Toyota Prius has been reimagined as a sleeker, sportier sedan — so it only makes sense that the Leaf would get its own glow-up.

The 2026 Leaf sports a new 75kWh, liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack paired with a 214-horsepower electric motor. It can fast charge at up to 150kWh, and its dual ports will provide a level of flexibility that doesn’t require an adapter — although fast charging is only allowed through one. On the driver side above the fender is a J1772 charge port that’s compatible with most home and public Level 2 chargers. On the passenger side, a NACS port will allow fast charging at any Tesla Supercharger.

The new Leaf will also be Nissan’s first EV with Plug and Charge, which allows drivers to just plug in and start charging without the need to submit payment information or sign up for a third-party app. Nissan estimates that fast charging from 10 to 80 percent will take 35 minutes.

The Leaf S will be the base trim, while the S Plus and SV Plus trims offer upgrades like a bigger battery and 18-inch alloy wheels. Nissan is also adding a fourth trim level, Platinum Plus, which features 19-inch wheels and a 10-speaker Bose system with built-in front headrest speakers. The base model S trim, which won’t be available until spring 2026, will come with a smaller 52kWh battery and 174-hp motor, and will likely get an estimated 255 miles of range.

And enhanced battery thermal management system and a heat pump will also make the Leaf the ideal EV to charge in winter. The Leaf’s battery pack is sealed by a resin cover, helping keep out cold air, snow, and slush during winter driving. The Leaf will also capture “wasted heat” from the drive motor and the onboard charger, and repurposes that heat to help warm the battery to its ideal temperature range. An onboard heat pump, which comes standard on all trims, will efficiently warm the cabin during colder months. And a battery heater can help bring the pack to the optimal temperature for fast charging when the mercury drops. Dual charging ports will provide a level of flexibility that doesn’t require an adapter.

Nissan says its engineers tested the new Leaf over 1,500 days in both the deserts of the Southwest and Fairbanks, Alaska, to gauge how well charging holds up in extreme heat and extreme cold.

The design of the new Leaf is a lot cleaner and more streamlined, with retractable door handles (a first for Nissan), concealed rear handles in the C-pillar, an illuminated logo in the front grille, stacked rectangular lighting, and an optional full-width light bar. The 2026 Leaf is built on the modular CMF-EV platform that also undergirds the Ariya EV. This platform features Nissan’s “3-in-1” powertrain setup that combines the motor, inverter, and reducer into a single unit.

With Google built-in, the Nissan Leaf seamlessly integrates apps like Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play into a vehicle’s infotainment system. Google Maps, for example, will show the vehicle’s range and battery capacity, and on certain routes it’ll suggest charging stops when the destination is beyond the battery’s capacity.

S and S Plus trims will have dual 12.3-inch screens that connect wirelessly to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On SV Plus and Platinum Plus trims, those screens expand to 14.3 inches.

All trims feature ProPILOT Assist steering assist, lane centering, and adaptive cruise control. The new Leaf also comes with a Nissan-first safety technology called Secondary Collision Mitigation Braking, which automatically applies the brakes after the airbag is deployed to help reduce the severity of a crash or prevent a secondary crash into another vehicle.

Nissan is promising more details on the new Leaf, including price, before the end of the year. The company also recently announced that new ICE and plug-in hybrid versions of its Rogue SUV, and refreshed models of its midsized Pathfinder SUV and Sentra sedan, would be coming soon. 

Ideally, the new Leaf will provide a much-needed boost to Nissan. The automaker has been going through a particularly rough patch, with declining sales and the collapse of a merger deal with Honda. It definitely needs some fresh products to help boost its overall image. And while the Leaf certainly isn’t fresh, its new look is sure to turn a few heads.