Tesla Isn't Going to Like the All-New Nissan Leaf's Range and Price

The Leaf has made a bold return 

Nissan has unveiled the 2026 Leaf as a crossover SUV after revamping its design for around 18 months, and Tesla has fresh competition. In addition to implementing dramatic styling changes, the 2026 Leaf offers a streamlined charging experience and improved range, all for an accessible price starting in the mid-$30,000s. The 2026 Leaf is estimated to deliver up to 303 miles per charge and can go from 10% to 80% in 35 minutes via DC fast charging, contributing to the model’s ethos of seamless electric vehicle (EV) driving.

Given their near-equivalent pricing and comparable range, these specs place the 2026 Leaf and Tesla’s Model Y neck-and-neck, with the Model Y winning by 54 miles, but costing slightly more, or a lot more with all-wheel drive. A new 75-kWh, liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack paired with a 214-horsepower electric motor powers the front-wheel drive 2026 Leaf, and the model’s dual charging ports give drivers more flexibility in where they charge. Nissan will later introduce a 2026 Leaf with a 52-kWh battery pack and 174-horsepower motor.

The new Leaf is Nissan’s first vehicle with Plug and Charge, allowing drivers to plug into a public charger and immediately begin charging without app or payment card activation. Those apprehensive about purchasing an EV in low-temperature environments can also get peace of mind knowing that the 2026 Leaf’s resin-covered battery pack keeps cold air, snow, and slush away. This reimagined EV captures wasted heat from the drive motor and the onboard charger, and repurposes it to help warm the battery to an optimal temperature range. Interior climate control features can significantly lower an EV’s range, but the 2026 Leaf’s energy-efficient heat pump, standard on SV+ and PLAT+ trims, provides added cold-weather support. 

How the Leaf’s design offers more flair than a Tesla Model Y

On the design front, changes are significant, with the Leaf totally transforming its image in the same way that Nissan revamped its Kicks SUV’s exterior for the model’s 2025 production year. Elements like motorized flush front door handles, concealed rear door handles in the C-pillar, and an optionally illuminated Nissan emblem help form the 2026 Leaf’s contemporary look, along with stacked rectangular lighting and an available full-width running lamp. Nissan carried over its Z sports car’s katana blade-like roofline molding for a more athletic appearance than the previous Leaf, and wheels measure 18 inches for the Leaf SV+ trim and 19 inches for the Leaf Platinum+. The 2026 Leaf also offers an optional, segment-first dimming panoramic roof that transitions from transparent to nearly opaque at the press of a button, along with ample rear cargo space of 55.5 cu ft behind the second-row seats.

Final thoughts 

While Tesla’s Model Y offers 54 more miles per charge, its near-equivalent pricing with the 2026 Leaf gives EV shoppers food for thought, especially with the Leaf’s design revamp and some complaining that Tesla isn’t doing enough to innovate the Model Y. The original Leaf only provided 73 miles of range, so the new version’s 303-mile range is a significant step up with its Tesla Supercharger compatibility and ability to facilitate seamless public charging via features like Plug and Charge.