It seems like every year, some car undergoes a massive transformation. It was the Toyota Prius in 2023, the Hyundai Santa Fe in 2024, and now the new Nissan Leaf is eyeing the trophy for makeover of the year. A crossover instead of a hatchback, it’s bigger and better-equipped than the old one, and promises serious range, but what about pricing? Well, Nissan’s finally sharing how much the new Leaf costs, and it looks like a proper bargain.
The new Leaf will launch in three trim levels, and we’re starting with the entry-level one. It’s called the S+, and not only is it inexpensive at $31,845 including freight, it’s not some short-range special. This trim features a 75 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, a 160 kW motor, a total output of 214 horsepower, and an estimated EPA range of 303 miles. Yep, this isn’t just the least-expensive new 300-mile EV in America, it’s also the cheapest new electric car in Americ,a period.
So how did Nissan manage such a low starting price? Well, you don’t get rear seat air-con vents, or the clever multi-position cargo floor, or a holder for your sunglasses, or rear USB-C ports, or alloy wheels, but the big cost-saving measure is the exclusion of a heat pump on this trim. There’s no battery heater on the Leaf S+ either, so expect a greater cold-weather range penalty than other trims, but 44 miles more range than the fully loaded Platinum+ trim may make up for that.
Besides, you still get some good equipment levels on the Leaf S+. The gauge cluster and the infotainment are both displayed on 12.3-inch screens, a 360-degree parking camera system and robust advanced driver assistance system suite come standard, you get a proximity key, and automatic climate control, a NACS charging port, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Sure, a pair of tweeters to augment the four full-range speakers would be nice, but for the money, the new Leaf S+ is a bargain.
Want more kit? The $35,725 Leaf SV+ actually undercuts the old Leaf SV+ by $1,605 including freight, and it adds dual 14.3-inch screens, alloy wheels, rear seat air-con vents, a heat pump, rear USB-C ports, wireless smartphone charging, a six-speaker sound system, paddles for easy adjustment of regenerative braking, a sunglass holder, front parking sensors, and the adjustable cargo floor to the new Leaf. The downside? Range takes a 15-mile hit to 288 miles.
There’s also a $40,485 Platinum+ trim with a push-button frosting panoramic moonroof, big wheels, auto wipers, a Bose system, a power liftgate, and a heated steering wheel if you feel like balling, but not only does that sort of money buy you a larger EV, the loaded Leaf will only do about 259 miles on a charge. Best to keep things cheap and cheerful then, and undercut what you’d pay for a Chevrolet Equinox EV, Hyundai Kona Electric, or even a Fiat 500e.
In case you don’t road trip often and think $31,845 is too expensive, there is a shorter-range trim on the way with a 52 kWh battery pack. Nissan hasn’t divulged pricing for this standard-range S non-plus trim, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it clocks in below $30,000. For now, though, the Leaf will launch in America with the big pack this autumn as the least expensive new electric car you can buy, and it’s a proper long-range model with modern DC fast charging and all that. With the third-generation Leaf coming soon and the next Chevrolet Bolt in the works, it looks like America’s finally getting inexpensive long-range EVs. It’s about time.
Top graphic image: Nissan
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No heated steering wheel until the Platinum trim? This is a sunbelt special car. The Equinox EV eats this things lunch where it snows.
It’s nice to see Nissan turning a new leaf