The Nissan Leaf is useless, lengthy stay the brand...

The newest information with Nissan is that it is participating in a significant overhaul of a few of its hottest fashions. Beginning in 2026, autos just like the Sentra will likely be getting improved aesthetics and options. We’ll even be getting a PHEV (plug-in hybrid) model of the Rogue, in the end. It is all a part of an try and revive the automaker’s sagging US gross sales, which have triggered annual manufacturing figures to drop from over 5 million autos in 2018 to round 3.5 million.

The spearhead of those efforts, although, is an unlikely contender — the Leaf. The low-cost EV is getting a severe redesign, one which makes me somewhat unhappy, whereas additionally extra optimistic concerning the product’s future. There is a distinct chance that Leafs will change into as widespread on US roads as Rogues are at this time.

What’s new with the 2026 Nissan Leaf?

Totally different goal, totally different seems to be

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The surprising factor for some folks, myself included, is that it is not a compact sedan. As a substitute it is now a crossover SUV, constructed on the identical CMF-EV platform underlying the Nissan Ariya, whereas being nearer in dimension to the Kicks. The crossover format is utilized by a variety of EV makers, since SUVS are widespread with Individuals typically, and founding issues on a bigger platform makes it simpler to pack in massive batteries. Extra on that in a second.

Visually, the brand new Leaf is sort of unrecognizable. It is signature grill is gone, changed with easy traces extra harking back to an EV from Kia, Rivian, or Volkswagen. There’s some sensible worth to this, since Nissan says the automotive’s drag coefficient is 0.25, lower than the typical for SUVs.

Nissan is not exhibiting off the inside of the automotive but. Nevertheless, Car and Driver stories that there isn’t any longer a middle console between the motive force and passenger, and that the sprint is dominated by a single massive display screen, as in a rising variety of EVs following the lead of Tesla.

Past that, not a lot has been made public, together with pricing, trims, or a launch date. Nissan is not less than promising “important vary enhancements,” however that is a simple factor to do contemplating the 149 miles (about 240 kilometers) provided by the 2025 Leaf’s base trim.

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Goodbye, previous Leaf

All for the most effective

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Earlier variations of the Leaf will at all times evoke some nostalgia for me. The unique design, unveiled in 2009, was the primary EV I ever noticed within the wild, gliding across the streets of Austin. The 2018 redesign, in the meantime, was the primary EV I ever owned personally. I beloved that automotive, because it was a revelation to drive in close to whole silence proper previous each gasoline station. It is also one of many first vehicles my then-infant son rode in — he even claims to have some reminiscences of it.

All informed, although, Nissan might be making the appropriate transfer strategically. Sedans aren’t as widespread as they was once, since they are not terribly good for cargo, and the Leaf’s seems to be have typically felt like they have been lagging behind. My 2018 mannequin, for instance, felt like nearly every other compact sedan on the time, inside and outside. It wasn’t actually exploiting many new concepts past its powertrain. Conversely, the 2026 model appears extraordinarily slick, on par with something out of Japan or Korea.

Extra considerably, there was no manner the Leaf would stay aggressive with out enhancing vary. 149 miles or so is doable in a significant metropolis, however in my expertise it means plugging in each time you get house, particularly if you do not have a Degree 2 charger put in. Typically, even every day storage charging will not be sufficient. At one level I used to be commuting from Pflugerville to an workplace in southwest Austin, and there was no manner I may make it a full week with out topping up at a ChargePoint station a couple of times. Driving from Pflugerville to San Antonio and again was more difficult nonetheless — my household and I must cease at an EVgo station in San Marcos for 40 minutes simply to finish the spherical journey.

There is a cause why 200 miles (322 kilometers) is taken into account the baseline for contemporary EVs, in different phrases. It is a magic quantity that is adequate to keep away from vary nervousness or frequent charger stops. I doubt the bottom 2026 Leaf will obtain 300 miles (483 kilometers), however even one thing wanting that needs to be high-quality for the typical individual. Not everybody wants the vary of a Tesla or Rivian.

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Turning over a brand new Leaf (compulsory pun)

Will the redesign catch on?

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I feel there is a first rate likelihood the brand new Leaf is not going to solely promote, however promote nicely. An inexpensive EV is the present Holy Grail of the automotive trade, and “funds” pricing has at all times been the Leaf’s important benefit. Even now, you may get a Leaf for round $29,000, whereas a variety of its competitors prices far upwards of $30,000.

It is simply that the Leaf’s worth proposition has at all times been offset by vary. Certainly, the 2010 Leaf bought a pathetic 73 miles (160 kilometers) in an period when there weren’t many business charging stations to talk of. There was a great likelihood your automotive would not be capable to full some longer round-trip commutes, not to mention drive to a close-by city, notably underneath freezing situations. Today, there are electric unicycles with extra vary.

The principle impediment to a success for Nissan is its rising competitors. Whereas the Chevy Equinox EV begins at about $35,000, for instance, its FWD trims supply a formidable 319 miles (513 kilometers) within the tank. Kia’s Kona Electrical is in the identical worth bracket, and lots of extra sub-$40K autos are coming quickly, such because the Kia EV2. When 2027 rolls round, you’ll get a $37,000 Rivian within the type of the R3.

Nissan’s going to should be as aggressive on worth as potential to make the Leaf worthwhile. I am anticipating a worth hike for the 2026 mannequin — given tech upgrades, and the more and more fraught US tariff state of affairs — however I doubt it’s going to produce as a lot sticker shock as an Ariya.

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