Nissan Leaf

The Leaf electric vehicle got a thorough makeover for 2026--for better and for worse. Nissan replaced its outdated CHAdeMO plug with a Tesla-style NACS port, making it compatible with many more public chargers and capable of DC fast charging. The driving range was increased to 259-303 miles, depending on the trim, which means it's less of a commuter-only car and now more for long-distance travel. The single-motor, front-wheel-drive powertrain is quiet and smooth, and its well-balanced chassis offers predictable, easy-to-control handling. The ride is more absorbent than the old Leaf. Cabin fit and finish rival more expensive cars, and we found the front seats comfortable and supportive. The rear seat, though, is tight and short on underleg support. It's unfortunate that Nissan replaced the old Leaf's easy-to-use array of interior buttons with controls that rely heavily on touchscreen menus and capacitive-touch panels that are difficult to use while driving.

The second generation Leaf electric car has a 40-kWh battery. We measured its driving range at 149 miles which is shorter than the Chevy Bolt's 250-mile range, but the Leaf is less expensive. The 2019 Leaf Plus, with a 62-kWh battery, has a rated range of 215 miles. It takes eight hours to charge it on a 240-volt connector. The E-Pedal feature decelerates the Leaf quite significantly when the driver eases off the accelerator, sending energy back to the battery. The Leaf accelerates decisively but the ride is stiff. Its handling is mundane but secure. The driving position can be uncomfortable for some drivers because the steering wheel doesn't telescope for reach. The optional ProPilot Assist can help keep the car in its lane and adjust its speed to keep track with surrounding traffic. 2018 brought standard forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. For 2019, a rear passenger alert system is standard. This feature is designed to prevent forgetting a child in the rear seat. The 2020 model added standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, and automatic high beams. It also added standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Updates for 2022 brought updated ProPilot Assist software. In 2023, the Leaf received mild exterior styling updates. There were no changes for the 2024 and 2025 model years.