Nissan previously announced a low (for EV) price of $31,845 for the all-new 2026 Leaf, but that was for the S+ trim. Where there’s an S+, there’s usually an S, and naturally, it’s apparently even less expensive—$4,630 less expensive, to be exact. According to CarsDirect citing “latest order guide data,” the 2026 Nissan Leaf S will start at $25,360 before destination or $26,855 after a $1,495 freight charge.
When S+ pricing was announced, it was already the cheapest new EV in the U.S. and a certified “screaming deal,” but the $27K S widens that gap even more—a hollerin’ deal, if you will. It’s worth noting that the $26,855 MSRP (before any government incentives or dealer-level offers, by the way) would be $2,780 cheaper than the last-gen 2025 Leaf it replaces. We’ve reached out to Nissan for confirmation and will update this story when we hear back.
Spacer
As of this writing, Leaf S pricing has yet to hit official Nissan channels, but the company’s spec literature says that instead of the 160-kW electric motor that comes in every other trim, the S uses a 130-kW motor that results in 174 horsepower and 254 lb-ft of torque. For comparison, the 160-kW motor makes 214 hp and 261 lb-ft. Leaf S also uses a smaller 52-kWh battery instead of the 75-kWh unit of higher trims. Range is TBD, but expect it to be shorter than the S+’s 303 miles. Less serious equipment also means the Leaf S is the lightest of the Leafs, weighing in at 3,955 pounds, 232 pounds less than the S+ and a whole 414 pounds less than the top Platinum+.
As for creature comforts, Nissan specifies that the S will still get dual 12.3-inch screens with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto, as well as two USB-C ports up front. No sad penalty box displays for the base-base Leaf. ProPilot Assist ADAS and keyless entry with push-button start are also standard across the board.
A widely available, sub-$30,000 electric car that isn’t massively compromised as an item you’d actually want to live with has been a bit of a fever dream for the industry for quite a while. Now, it’s here.
Top graphic image: Nissan
Oh, I’ll buy one in that color. That was the color of everything on our farm. The trim on the houses, the tractors, the, trucks, all the equipment, everything that could move. We had a navy surplus air compressor with a 300 gallon tank on a trailer. The compressor itself ran on 3 phase 220, but there was enough air to paint a pickup on one tank of air. We always had a 5 gallon can of enamel in that color.
It was primarily an anti-theft thing since it was really conspicuous, but I guess my grandfather really liked turquoise.
Id get a base S to replace my Vibe… In that color.
I want it in that color. Can I get a white roof instead of black? Time to axe my slate order. This is what Autopianna has been asking for. And here it is. Reasonable range. Reasonable price. Reasonably attractive. Dont much care if President il douchi bag has wiped out the tax credit at this price. No more
Petrol for 80% of driving. Charge it in the garage. Lighter car is cheaper, though Colin Chapman is still rotating in his grave at these behemoths of poundage.
With a third less battery than the other trims they’re going to have to pull a rabbit out of their butts to get an acceptable range. The days of 200 mile EVs are behind us.
A 200mi (EPA) EV crossover is perfectly acceptable for some at the right price. It will easily cover people’s 100mi daily needs even in bad weather. $26k for a household’s second car is pretty reasonable.
I paid $21,500 with free delivery for a new 2025 Leaf S, so $5,355 less.
A second gen Leaf with NACS and some cost cutting would be a lot cheaper to make than this 3rd Gen Leaf, and since the 3rd Gen Leaf is now competing in the oversaturated Model Y knockoff space I bet a 2nd gen Leaf with NACS at around $20,000 would be more successful.
Unfortunately Americans balk at hatchbacks unless they’re dressed like crossovers. The 2nd gen Leaf is just fundamentally a worse product with its air cooled battery, and the 3rd gen’s chubby sedan profile might actually give it less drag. I don’t think the $20k price point is viable.
Hatchbacks are second best only to station wagons.
The air cooled battery is kind of of a drag, on the other hand it’s easier to repair, and an air conditioner. compressor failure won’t total the car..
It’s a Nissan, so obviously we need much more information about about battery cooling.
Just changing to “active cooling” isn’t nearly enough after their earlier mistakes. I need more details before I trust Nissan with a big expensive battery.
Ball’s in your court Chevy Bolt
The two tone colour is doing a lot of heavy lifting here but who cares? It looks like a real winner for Nissan and if it weren’t still 18+ months away from its RHD market release I’d be recommending that dad put his Kia EV3 order on hold. I’d be interested to see where its pricing lands here (Australia), I think it’ll do well if they can undercut the EV3 even if it’s a smidge more expensive than its Chinese competition. Under AU$40k I think would clinch it.
For a normal person who needs a commuter that does normal mileage and wants an EV, that seems like a really good deal and it’s better looking than a more expensive Tesla, even if that’s not saying much. Used, these are going to be a steal! I assume they’re water cooled batteries now.
That’s not terirble. They are typically discounted so under $25k should be realistic. Plus some states still have incentives so maybe close to the outgoing with incentives. The actively cooled battery and nacs port are big pluses too. It could actually do well. But their fate is still tired to their dealers who will hopefully be on their best behavior if they want Nissian to survive.
That’s a great looking car, especially if you can actually get the S in that colour (edit: not crazy about the fascia tbh).
I see the lighter weight as a selling point: the benefits of a lighter car might actually outweigh the penalty of reduced range, for a lot of people.
I think we have the next car to join the rarefied club of models that post a major sales increase in a bad year.
The 1958 Rambler for our time.
We are nearing that watershed year that many in the industry have been talking about for over a decade now. The year when EVs actually become cheaper than ICE cars.
The cheapest new car on sale today in 2025 appears to be the Nissan Versa S at $18.3k. The price of this 2026 Leaf S is not that far from that – $8.5k is a nice chunk of change, but I would also guess that the Leaf S has more features than the Versa S, so out-the-door price is probably a lot closer.
So we aren’t at parity yet, but its getting there.
By the pound the EV is a better deal at about $6.70 vs. $7.00.
As you say there is not much in it.
Are Nissan dealers known for thumbs on the scale?
This…does not suck! I think Nissan is going to have a hit on their hands. Better than the outgoing model + cheaper is a winning formula.