Introduction to the 2026 Nissan Leaf

Nissan has unveiled its third-generation Leaf EV, featuring a completely new design that sheds its compact car body for a crossover SUV look. The 2026 model boasts design features commonly seen in the all-electric vehicle marketplace, including available dual 14.3-inch displays, flush door handles for better aerodynamics, and liquid-cooled lithium-ion batteries.

Adoption of NACS Charging Port

The new Leaf is the latest EV to adopt the NACS charging port, following Tesla’s decision to make its proprietary charge connector open-source in 2022. Since then, major automakers such as Ford and Mercedes have adopted the standard, gaining access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. The Leaf also includes a J1772 port, the most common standard for Level 2 chargers, on the driver’s-side fender. The Leaf’s video announcement highlights bi-directional V2X technology, allowing drivers to power their homes, send power to the grid, or provide power while camping.

Aerodynamic Design

Nissan’s head of global design, Alfonso Albaisa, explains the company’s efforts to make the car as aerodynamic as possible, achieving a stated 300-mile range. The rear door handles are built into the C-pillar, and the body has a chunky, SUV-like stance with a wide front reminiscent of the Volkswagen ID.4. These design choices have helped reduce the drag coefficient by 10 percent from the previous generation.

Image of the 2026 Nissan Leaf

Image: 2026 Nissan Leaf profile

Battery Thermal Management

Nissan is bringing the new Leaf’s battery thermal management up to par with other major EV brands, which will improve charging performance in cold weather. The car captures wasted heat from the drive motor and the on-board charger to warm the battery to its ideal temperature for charging. In frigid conditions, it can also use the car’s heat pump and a dedicated battery heater to maintain battery temperatures.

Design Easter Eggs

The car features design easter eggs that pay homage to the brand’s name by incorporating "2-3" iconography in the form of stripes, representing the kanji writing of two and three in Japanese, pronounced "ni" and "san."

Specifications and Features

The new Leaf is built on a 75-kWh, liquid-cooled battery pack and packs a 214-horsepower electric motor. It will be offered in a variety of color options and optional features like 19-inch wheels, dimming panoramic roof, and 64-color ambient lighting. Built-in Google integrating Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Play Store into the Leaf is also an available option. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be standard on the Leaf S and S+. A cheaper 52-kWh version with a 174-horsepower motor will become available at a later date.

Conclusion

The major redesign of the Leaf comes amid a turbulent last year for Nissan, culminating in its CEO stepping down after a failed merger with Honda. The automaker had previously gone through a downsizing as part of its mission to cut billions of dollars in costs. The 2026 Nissan Leaf will hit showrooms this fall, though pricing has yet to be announced.