Nissan Leaf 3: US Delay, New Partnerships, and Innovations

The third generation of the Nissan Leaf is navigating turbulent waters. While the small battery version is indefinitely postponed in the US, the car finds itself at the heart of several unprecedented projects: a shared platform with Mitsubishi, robotaxis in Tokyo, and a price hike in Europe. Here's an overview of what Nissan is building — or delaying.

"Nissan has decided not to introduce the small battery variant of the Leaf 2026 this year." — Dominic Vizor, Director of Product Communications Nissan USA, as quoted by InsideEVs

The Leaf S Under $26,000? Not Yet

Last September, Nissan made an announcement that caught attention: an entry-level version of the Leaf 2026, dubbed Leaf S, priced at $25,360 in the US. With a 52 kWh battery, around 210 miles of range, and a price that would have undercut the Chevrolet Bolt to claim the title of the cheapest electric car on the American market.

That was the plan. The reality, announced in late February 2026, is that this version won't be available this year. Nissan cites a "reassessment," without officially confirming or canceling the model. If it arrives, it will be at best for the 2027 model year. In other words: maybe never.

The official reason remains vague — "prioritizing resources where they create the most value." But there's a concrete factor that doesn't help: the Leaf is built in Japan, and US tariffs on Japanese imports weigh heavily on the economic equation. Bringing a $25,000 model to market with import duties is tough arithmetic to make work.

What This Means for Europe

In Europe, both variants are available. The Leaf with the 52 kWh battery has been orderable recently starting at €35,950. The 75 kWh version starts at €41,200. These prices correspond to a compact electric SUV with honest equipment — but they don't make the Leaf an entry-level vehicle on the Old Continent.

Car and Driver summarized the available US version — the Leaf S+ with 75 kWh — with an announced range of 303 miles (about 488 km) and a starting price of $29,990. Decent on paper. On the highway in winter, as always, expect to knock off a good 25 to 30%.

The car also won the Women's Worldwide Car of the Year 2026, according to Auto Journal — a jury of 86 female automotive journalists from 55 countries, who drove each competing model over several months. It's not the most publicized award in the industry, but it's a jury that does real work.

A Platform With Multiple Uses

What's less anecdotal in Nissan's strategy is the use of the CMF-EV platform underpinning the new Leaf. This architecture already supports the Ariya and Renault vehicles like the Mégane E-Tech. It will also be used for the third-generation electric Juke, expected in spring 2027, built in Sunderland alongside the Leaf.

The Leaf also serves as the basis for a future Mitsubishi model. Prototypes were photographed in Michigan in early 2026. The silhouette is recognizable, the bumpers and lighting signature will differ — but the structure remains that of the Leaf. This would be Mitsubishi's first new electric vehicle since the i-MiEV disappeared in 2014. The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, even weakened, continues to produce concrete results.