Is the 2026 Nissan Leaf Worth It? Our Week-Long Review Reveals Exciting Surprises and Frustrations

“I’m going to get one of those!” A rideshare driver said this to me while I was charging my Nissan Leaf at a Supercharger in Staten Island. He was tired of the stiff ride in his Tesla Model Y and was eyeing a change to something more comfortable and affordable.

The Nissan Leaf starts at about $31,485 and offers an impressive range of over 300 miles. With its Tesla-style charging port, the Leaf had him intrigued. The ride quality? I assured him it far surpassed the previous Model Y.

During my week testing the Leaf, I had multiple chats with other EV drivers. Many pulled up to admire its fresh look and turquoise color. One even wanted to delay his trip for a few minutes just to show a friend the new Leaf.

Talking with these drivers while charging is enlightening. Price, range, and charging speed are top concerns, but comfort is just as crucial, especially for those who spend long hours in their cars. It surprises me that many rideshare drivers still put up with earlier Model Y versions, which felt bumpy and unrefined compared to newer models.

Historically, the Leaf has been seen as a “people’s car.” It’s much cheaper than the average EV price—over $16,000 lower than the typical price, which was about $56,328 in September 2023, according to Cox Automotive. The new Leaf is now a crossover, bringing a fresh take to affordable electric vehicles, maintaining essential features without cutting corners.

After a week driving the Leaf, I noted several things I liked and a couple that annoyed me.

What I Liked About the Nissan Leaf

The first-generation Leaf was a city car with limited range, but it gained fame as a significant EV. The second generation improved with a 62 kWh battery, delivering over 200 miles of range.

The previous models had a CHAdeMO charging port, which has become less relevant. Today, there are only around 8,800 CHAdeMO ports left in the U.S., compared to over 74,300 CCS and NACS ports available. The new Leaf comes equipped with the NACS port, making it compatible with the vast Supercharger network.

Driving the Leaf was efficient; I averaged over 3.5 miles per kilowatt-hour after 300 miles combined city and highway driving, with peak efficiency up to 3.9 miles/kWh. Good weather helped, and it’s reassuring that the Leaf also comes with battery preconditioning—a feature aimed at helping drivers in colder regions.

Its sleek design contributes to a drag coefficient of 0.26, similar to more expensive models. This efficiency makes it easy to cruise on the highway, offering a smooth driving experience.

The Leaf is powered by a single motor, producing 214 horsepower. This is enough kick for city driving and merges, though it can feel a bit heavy when cornering. Still, comfort is a highlight with its soft suspension.

The interior quality surprised me, mixed with both simple materials and plush accents, especially in the higher trims. The tech features are robust, with Google integration for maps and such, and even standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the base model.

What I Didn’t Like

One frustrating aspect was the wireless charging pad. It was tucked away and caused my phone to heat up without efficiently charging it. The infotainment even warned me to remove my phone to function properly, which was annoying.

Another issue was the driver’s seat memory function, which didn’t reset the seat position as expected every time I got in. This meant a quick adjustment was often necessary.

Conclusion

Despite minor drawbacks, the Nissan Leaf makes a strong case as a solid, affordable EV. Its new design stands out, and it delivers an enjoyable driving experience while remaining budget-friendly. In a landscape filled with uncertainty around EV policies and incentives, the Leaf brings a refreshing option for both new EV adopters and seasoned drivers alike. It’s a good time for Nissan to regain its footing in the electric vehicle market.

For those interested in the latest EV trends and options, sources like Cox Automotive and the Alternative Fuels Data Center can provide valuable insights.

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