2026 Nissan Leaf vs. 2025 Nissan Leaf: We Compare Their Specs
For the Nissan Leaf's third generation, the model moves from its familiar hatchback shape to an SUV silhouette.
Updated powertrains provide more output, while larger batteries extend the Leaf's range.
While it looks more like an SUV now, the 2026 Leaf will not offer all-wheel drive.
Nissan didn't exactly invent electric vehicles, but its Leaf was the first mass-market EV when it went on sale in 2010. Now entering its third generation, the Leaf undergoes some substantial changes, including a switch to a new market segment and updated battery and powertrain tech. To highlight the differences between this new model and the one currently on sale, we've gathered all of the pertinent specs and info from the reveal.
Design and Dimensions
The most noticeable change to the Leaf for 2026 is its new shape. After two generations as a small hatchback, Nissan's littlest EV shapeshifts to become an SUV, or at least SUV-esque. It also adopts a design language that's spreading across the Nissan lineup in models such as the latest Kicks and Murano. The 2026 Leaf's interior gets a clean, semi-futuristic look, and a dimmable glass roof will be available on the top Platinum+ trim.
Though it has a more upright appearance, the new Leaf occupies a bit less space, with slight reductions to both its wheelbase (105.9 inches instead of 106.3) and overall length (173.4 inches down from 176.4). Height is 61.3 inches for the 2026 Leaf, down fractionally from the 2025's peak measurement of 61.7 inches. Even ground clearance has been reduced a tad from 5.9 to 5.3 inches. Despite the size decrease, the 2026 Leaf manages to give off SUV vibes thanks to its proportions and high beltline. We expect the driving position will be slightly higher to go along with the new segment classification.
Interior and Cargo
In the new model's front seats, there are increases to hip and shoulder room, as well as a slight boost in legroom, while headroom drops from 41.2 inches to 39.9. Rear-seat occupants get a larger spatial gift in the form of 8.9 inches of added legroom, for a total of 42.4 inches, with hip and shoulder room up as well and only a slight drop in headroom.
Even with the new Leaf's liftback shape replacing a more upright hatch and less overall length to play with, max cargo capacity improves significantly. With the rear seats folded, the 2026 Leaf can accommodate 56 cubic feet of gear, up from 30 cubes. If you have that spacious new rear seat in place, however, space is down a bit from the 2025's 24 cubes to just 20 now.
The infotainment systems get big increases too. The S and S+ models receive 12.3-inch gauge and center displays, up from 8.0 inches in the outgoing model, while upper trims get a 14.3-inch screen in both locations. The infotainment system uses Google built-in on the SV+ and Platinum+. Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes standard across the board.
Powertrains and Range
Despite its new SUV designation, the 2026 Leaf is, like its predecessors, offered only with front-wheel drive. The base powertrain does see a good boost in output, with a 174-hp electric motor making 254 pound-feet of torque replacing the previous 147-hp/236-pound-foot setup. The more powerful option still puts out 214 horsepower, but it has 11 additional pound-feet at its disposal, for a total of 261. The base powertrain is paired with a 52-kWh battery, up from 40 previously, while the "+" powertrain benefits from a 15-kWh battery-capacity increase for a new total of 75 kWh.
Thanks to a slippery shape and those larger-capacity batteries, the 2026 Leaf will go considerably farther on a charge. Nissan hasn't shared range figures for the base powertrain yet (that one previously went 149 miles), the most efficient version with the "+" powertrain is pegged at a 303-mile range, well above the previous max of 212. That figure is for the S+, while the SV+ should make it 288 miles before needing to recharge, and the Platinum+ has a 259-mile tether. Interestingly, every new Leaf will feature both a J1772 charge port for Level 1 and Level 2 charging as well as the Tesla-style NACS port, which will give it access to the Supercharger ecosystem for DC fast-charging.
Trims and Price
The 2025 Leaf is offered only as the S with the base powertrain and the SV Plus with some extra power. For 2026, Nissan will sell an S trim that uses the updated base powertrain, while S+, SV+, and Platinum+ all use the 214-hp setup and larger battery. Nissan hasn't yet shared pricing for the third-generation Leaf, but we expect starting prices to come out above the current model's $29,280 base.
Caleb Miller
Associate News Editor
Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.
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