Nissan Leaf 2026 Review: Superb Steering, Competitive Pricing

Nissan quotes 160 kilowatts (214 horsepower) and 252 lb-ft of torque for nan azygous centrifugal that drives nan beforehand wheels. Acceleration is capable successful nan modular thrust mode, pinch Sport providing a spot much boost, capable to rotation an wrong beforehand instrumentality successful turns erstwhile pressed. The Eco mode was underwhelming, and while there’s a Personal mode to tweak your ain operation of settings, we’d beryllium shocked if anyone ever uses it.

Nissan offers 4 levels of regenerative braking, controlled via paddle shifters connected each but nan S+. Then there’s nan e-Step mode, which is almost one-pedal driving. The regen wide isn’t that beardown against immoderate of nan competitors, but frustratingly, it drops retired astir 7 mph, meaning nan driver must brake to a afloat stop. No one-pedal driving, successful 2025?

Roadholding is predictable, pinch predictable understeer if pushed. The standout characteristic turns retired to beryllium nan Leaf’s steering. In general, steering consciousness and consequence is much noticeable successful EVs than gasoline cars, because nan powertrain is smoother and nan weight of nan artillery is astatine nan bottommost of nan vehicle, lowering nan halfway of gravity and reducing assemblage roll. In 2010, nan steering of nan 2011 Leaf could only beryllium described arsenic “numb.” Thankfully, times person changed.

The latest Nissan creation for electrical powerfulness steering (EPS) isn’t unsocial to nan Leaf, but it whitethorn beryllium shown to champion advantage successful nan mini EV. Engineers moved nan centrifugal from nan steering file to nan rack itself, giving them greater elasticity successful tailoring steering consciousness to different models and customer desires—as measured by factors for illustration nan emergence successful steering effort, linearity, and through-the-wheel consequence consciousness against its ain criteria.

The consequence is immoderate of nan sweetest and astir nonstop EPS we’ve driven. It’s amended than its Korean competitors, though we can’t speak to nan 2027 Bolt yet. Is it arsenic bully arsenic a Porsche Taycan? Nah. But it’s damn bully for a car successful this value range.

Comfortable Seats, Legroom Tradeoffs

Nissan notes nan compartment of nan caller Leaf is longer, by kindness of its shorter nose, than nan outgoing model. The beforehand seats, based connected nan company’s latest Zero Gravity creation for spinal support, are so comfortable and supportive—but 4 6-foot adults whitethorn still person to waste and acquisition a spot of beforehand spot accommodation to get capable rear legroom.

The astir striking belief I took distant successful 160 miles was nan remarkably quiet cabin. Tire sound and roadworthy rumble was beautiful overmuch each that could beryllium heard; virtually nary upwind sound aliases electronics whine was discernible. It’s an awesome level of refinement for a $30K car, and immoderate competitors would do good to fig retired what sorcery Nissan employed—and replicate it.