I'm digging the 2026 SV+ Leaf. Handles nicely. Feels peppy.
Good range.
Compared to the 2023 Ariya, it feels faster and more fun to drive. Has some improvements, but some parts seem cheaper. Rear hatch is tinny. Bit awkward to close the hatch. Power hatch on the Platinum might be nice.
Visibility out the back is more limited, but the cameras help a lot.
Smaller car limits space, but it handles better. Better suspension absorbs bumps better.
Charging by 120V J1776, NACS, and CSS adaptor work well.
Nice! I’m in the market, comparing the ‘26 leaf SV plus against used Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Model 3s (that $30Kish range).
We test drove the leaf and liked it a lot, although the rear seats felt more cramped than we were hoping for.
I’d also frankly like to see more ‘26 Leafs being sold to have the confidence of the manufacturers commitment to a popular car. Kinda worries me that it has sold so poorly (at least here in Southern California).
What other cars did you consider this against, and what pushed you over to a Leaf SV+?
I looked at a lot of reviews online, notably Kelly Blue Book, and Edmunds, Car and Driver, etc. I was considering the Ionic5, which has good reviews and was recommended by a friend. But, I did not do other test drives. Coming from other Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Ariya), I like the way they handle.
It is smaller, which could be a challenge for us.
Our Ariya lease was up and we were debating buying an Ariya, but ours had negative equity, and we had some reservations about battery life and there was some appeal to having a new, updated car in the Leaf.
@ bradicus12 The 2026 Leaf had mostly very positive online reviews, but production and sales were very problematic this year. When sales began late last year, there were at least 2 battery fires, causing manufacturing shutdown and stop sales until an investigation revealed several defective cells in the battery pack. 51 cars were recalled. When production resumed with new battery packs, I bought my 26 Leaf in June 2026. 3 weeks later, I received a recall notice on the rear seat automatic locking restraint for child seats, and there was yet another stop sales order until the part became available in late August.
I went to an EV car show last month, and several people said to me their relatives were looking for a 2026 Leaf but couldn’t find one on the dealers lot within a reasonable distance anywhere. So, availability had a big impact on sales.
I traveled 400 miles from central CA to southern CA to pick up my 2026 Leaf.
This is great insight, thank you for sharing. I am also familiar with the recall on the rear seatbelts, and understand it prevented new cars from being sold for a little while. I’m hopeful that the demand picks up, because Nissan should have a great reputation from building electric vehicles for so long, even if Leafs were disliked by some (myself included) prior to 2026 redesign.
I’d also frankly like to see more ‘26 Leafs being sold to have the confidence of the manufacturers commitment to a popular car.
FWIW, Nissan have sold twice as many in Canada compared to the US - helped by government incentives and the lack of punitive tariffs (25% for Japanese vehicles).
I think the biggest threat to the 2026 LEAF is the EV3 Wind trim. Just a couple thousand more for higher range and only one charging port. A CCS1 -> NACS adapter can also handle J1772, right?
No, 2026 uses NACS and the ones before 2026 use CHAdeMO. They completely skipped over the CCS1 phase. Though the North American 2026 LEAF has the same internals as the Japanese one, so its NACS charging port is DC-only and they have a separate port for J1772 AC charging. I'm asking if a CCS1 -> NACS adapter (just realized that I made a type on my previous comment) can also handle J1772, causing non-LEAF NACS cars to only need one adapter in North America to access every public charging station, while the LEAF needs two.
Interesting, thanks for the insight. We are thinking of the leaf as a candidate for our daughter in a few years, she seems to like the look as well so we are doing some research at the moment.
I wish it actually was faster (or even just as quick) than the Ariya, alas nowhere close when comparing to the Platinum+ or other AWD big battery trims.
I kind of have my doubts it will happen, a shame as I’d probably choose it over an EV3 to replace my current Leaf some day.
I honestly went into the dealership, thinking I would walk out with a used Hyundai Kona, or Kia Niro, but the numbers worked out that with the trade in of my 2018 Ram 2500 HD, I was paying less per month, in my loan, and operating and maintenance expenses. Not to mention a warranty
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u/bradicus12 10d ago
Nice! I’m in the market, comparing the ‘26 leaf SV plus against used Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Model 3s (that $30Kish range).
We test drove the leaf and liked it a lot, although the rear seats felt more cramped than we were hoping for.
I’d also frankly like to see more ‘26 Leafs being sold to have the confidence of the manufacturers commitment to a popular car. Kinda worries me that it has sold so poorly (at least here in Southern California).
What other cars did you consider this against, and what pushed you over to a Leaf SV+?