Nissan LEAF generations: 2011 to the 2026 LEAF

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The Nissan LEAF has had three generations: 2011–2017, 2018–2025 and the redesigned 2026 LEAF. The 2026 model has a 75 kWh battery, a 214-hp motor and EPA-estimated range of 259 to 303 miles. It costs $29,990 to $38,990 before $1,575 destination, less than the original 2011 LEAF's starting price.

Type
Compact electric crossover (FWD)
Price (MSRP)
$29,990–$38,990 (2026 MY) · MSRP excl. $1,575 destination. Low = S+; high = PLATINUM+.[1]
Powertrains
LEAF S+, LEAF SV+, LEAF PLATINUM+ · 214 hp
Current generation
Third generation, 2026–present

2026 Nissan LEAF price and trims

The third-generation LEAF is a sleeker crossover-style EV with a built-in NACS port and Plug & Charge, 150 kW peak DC charging and standard Around View, Invisible Hood View and Front Wide View cameras.[15][16][17]

Nissan LEAF trims with 2026 model-year base MSRP (USD) and powertrains
TrimMSRP (2026)Powertrain
S+$29,990Excl. $1,575 destinationSingle electric motor (214 hp, 261 lb-ft), 75 kWh battery, FWD[15][16][17]
SV+$34,230Excl. $1,575 destinationSingle electric motor (214 hp, 261 lb-ft), 75 kWh battery, FWD[15][16][17]
PLATINUM+$38,990Excl. $1,575 destinationSingle electric motor (214 hp, 261 lb-ft), 75 kWh battery, FWD[15][16][17]

Every LEAF trim compared, with standard equipment and previous-generation prices →

Nissan LEAF engines, horsepower and mpg

EPA figures are MPGe. EPA range: S+ 303 miles, SV+ 288, PLATINUM+ 259 (EPA labels the versions by wheel: 18-inch steel, 18-inch alloy and 19-inch). Nissan lists a 35-minute peak DC fast-charge time.

Nissan LEAF powertrains with Nissan-rated output and EPA fuel economy (city/highway/combined)
VersionEngineHorsepowerTorque (lb-ft)TransmissionDriveEPA mpg (city/hwy/comb)
LEAF S+S+Single electric motor, 75 kWh battery[2][1][3]214261Single-speedFWD131/111/1212026 MY[3]
LEAF SV+SV+Single electric motor, 75 kWh battery[2][4]214261Single-speedFWD122/105/1142026 MY[4]
LEAF PLATINUM+PLATINUM+Single electric motor, 75 kWh battery[2][5]214261Single-speedFWD110/96/1032026 MY[5]

Output is as rated by Nissan; fuel economy is the EPA estimate. "—" means no official figure was found.

2025 LEAF vs 2026 LEAF

Starting prices exclude destination.[10][1][6][14][3]

2025 LEAF vs 2026 LEAF
2025 LEAF S2025 LEAF SV PLUS2026 LEAF S+
Starting MSRP$28,140$36,190$29,990
Battery (Nissan)40 kWh60 kWh75 kWh
EPA range149 mi212 mi303 mi
EPA combined MPGe111109121
  • The 2026 S+ costs $1,850 more than the 2025 S and doubles its EPA range.
  • It also costs $6,200 less than the 2025 SV PLUS while going 91 miles farther.

The 2026 LEAF redesign

The third-generation LEAF moves from a hatchback to a crossover-style shape and keeps a single front motor, now rated at 214 hp and 261 lb-ft. All three grades use a 75 kWh battery; EPA range is 303 miles for the S+, 288 for the SV+ and 259 for the PLATINUM+.

It has a built-in NACS port with Plug & Charge, so it can use Tesla Superchargers without an adapter. Nissan lists a 35-minute peak DC fast-charge time and about 12 hours on a 240-volt charger.[1][12][2][3][4][5]

How LEAF range grew

EPA range has roughly quadrupled over three generations: 73 miles for the 2011 LEAF, 107 miles with the 2016 30 kWh battery, 151 miles for the 2018 redesign, 226 miles for the 2019 PLUS and up to 303 miles for 2026.[13][11][8][9][3]

LEAF and the federal EV tax credit

Nissan noted that the 2025 LEAF did not qualify for the federal EV tax credit under Internal Revenue Code Section 30D, based on IRS regulations released in May 2024.[10]

Nissan LEAF generations by year

Every US Nissan LEAF generation with model years and engines, newest first
GenerationUS model yearsEnginesNotes
Third generation2026–presentSingle motor (214 hp, 261 lb-ft), 75 kWh batteryA sleeker crossover-style LEAF with a built-in NACS charging port and Plug & Charge, giving access to Tesla Superchargers. EPA range is up to 303 miles, roughly double the 2025 LEAF S, and the $29,990 starting price is lower than the original 2011 model's.[1][2][3][6]
Second generation2018–2025110 kW motor with 40 kWh battery; 160 kW motor with 60 kWh battery (EPA: 62 kWh) from 2019Reinvented for 2018 with about 151 miles of EPA range, e-Pedal and ProPILOT Assist, and named 2018 World Green Car. The bigger-battery PLUS models arrived for 2019 with 226 miles. The 2025 LEAF S was rated at 149 miles and the SV PLUS at 212.[7][8][9][10][11]
First generation2011–201780 kW motor; 24 kWh battery (30 kWh option from 2016)Sales began in December 2010 in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Tennessee. Nissan quoted 100 miles on the LA4 city cycle; EPA rated the 2011 LEAF at 73 miles. EPA lists a 30 kWh version from 2016 rated at 107 miles.[12][13][11]

Nissan LEAF problems and recalls

The most significant documented LEAF problems are batteries that can overheat during DC quick charging on 2019–2022 cars (recalls 24V700 and 25V655) and a 2018–2023 software issue that can cause unintended acceleration after leaving cruise control. First-generation LEAFs have air bag sensor and cold-weather brake booster recalls.

Documented Nissan LEAF issues and NHTSA recall campaigns
IssueGenerationYearsType
High-voltage battery module may short (fire risk) (recall 26V188)[18]Third generation (2026 onward)2026Recall 26V188
Rear seat belt locking retractors may release early (recall 26V425)[19]Third generation (2026 onward)2026Recall 26V425
Battery may overheat during DC quick charging (2021–2022) (recall 25V655)[20]Second generation (2018–2025)2021–2022Recall 25V655
Battery may overheat during DC quick charging (2019–2020) (recall 24V700)[21]Second generation (2018–2025)2019–2020Recall 24V700
Car may accelerate after changing drive mode out of cruise (recall 23V494)[22]Second generation (2018–2025)2018–2023Recall 23V494
Rearview camera harness damage can distort the image (recall 24V071)[23]Second generation (2018–2025)2018–2022Recall 24V071
Owner's manual defroster instructions are wrong (2018–2023) (recall 23V048)[24]Second generation (2018–2025)2018–2023Recall 23V048
Right-hand brake tubes may corrode and leak (recall 23V362)[25]Second generation (2018–2025)2023Recall 23V362

All 17 documented LEAF issues and 17 recalls, with symptoms and pre-purchase checks →

MSRP is the starting point, not the transaction price. These CarWhere pages show buyer-reported prices and dealer invoice estimates for the Nissan LEAF.

More LEAF research

See how an LEAF was built at the factory.

Trim names and packages on a used listing are not always right. The CarWhere Nissan build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Nissan build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

How many generations of Nissan LEAF are there?

Three: 2011–2017, 2018–2025 and the redesigned LEAF from the 2026 model year.

What is the range of the 2026 Nissan LEAF?

EPA estimates 303 miles for the S+, 288 for the SV+ and 259 for the PLATINUM+.

Does the 2026 LEAF have a NACS port?

Yes. It has built-in NACS compatibility with Plug & Charge for Tesla Supercharger access.

How much does the 2026 LEAF cost?

S+ $29,990, SV+ $34,230 and PLATINUM+ $38,990, before $1,575 destination.

What range did the original LEAF have?

EPA rated the 2011 LEAF at 73 miles. Nissan quoted 100 miles on the LA4 city test cycle.

Is the LEAF Nissan's only EV?

Nissan's August 2026 Q&A says the LEAF is the one EV it currently sells in the US.

Sources

Prices and output are as published by Nissan for the model year shown; fuel economy is from the EPA. Equipment changes between model years, so confirm a specific vehicle against its original paperwork or build sheet.

  1. More features, more range, still under $30K: All-new 2026 Nissan LEAF priced from $29,990 MSRP (Aug 19, 2025) — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  2. Nissan LEAF Specs & Trims — Nissan USA (nissanusa.com)
  3. EPA fuel economy: 2026 Nissan LEAF 75 kWh (18-inch steel wheels) — fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE / EPA)
  4. EPA fuel economy: 2026 Nissan LEAF 75 kWh (18-inch alloy wheels) — fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE / EPA)
  5. EPA fuel economy: 2026 Nissan LEAF 75 kWh (19-inch wheels) — fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE / EPA)
  6. EPA fuel economy: 2025 Nissan LEAF — fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE / EPA)
  7. All-new 2018 Nissan LEAF named '2018 World Green Car' (Mar 28, 2018) — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  8. EPA fuel economy: 2018 Nissan Leaf — fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE / EPA)
  9. EPA fuel economy: 2019 Nissan Leaf (62 kWh battery pack) — fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE / EPA)
  10. 2025 Nissan LEAF on-sale now starting at $28,140 (Jun 11, 2024) — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  11. EPA model-year listings: Nissan LEAF 2011–2026 — fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE / EPA)
  12. 2011 Nissan LEAF Press Kit — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  13. EPA fuel economy: 2011 Nissan Leaf — fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE / EPA)
  14. EPA fuel economy: 2025 Nissan LEAF SV — fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE / EPA)
  15. More features, more range, still under $30K: All-new 2026 Nissan LEAF priced from $29,990 MSRP (Aug 19, 2025) — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  16. Nissan LEAF Specs & Trims — Nissan USA (nissanusa.com)
  17. Nissan Vehicle Questions & Answers (updated Aug 2026) — Nissan USA Newsroom (usa.nissannews.com)
  18. Recall 26V188: Park Outside: High Voltage Battery Modules May Short Circuit — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  19. Recall 26V425: Rear Seat Belts May Not Secure Child Seat/FMVSS 208 — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  20. Recall 25V655: Fire Risk from Quick Charging Battery — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  21. Recall 24V700: Fire Risk from Quick Charging Battery — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  22. Recall 23V494: Unintended Acceleration — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  23. Recall 24V071: Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  24. Recall 23V048: Incorrect Information in Owner's Manual/FMVSS 103 — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  25. Recall 23V362: Corrosion in Brake Line May Cause Brake Fluid Leak — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Nissan North America, Inc. or Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.. Nissan and the model names are trademarks of their owners.