Nissan Leaf 2026 Review: Superb Steering, Competitive Pricing Leave a comment
Nissan quotes 160 kilowatts (214 horsepower) and 252 lb-ft of torque for the one motor that drives the entrance wheels. Acceleration is sufficient in the usual drive mode, with Sport offering a bit extra increase, sufficient to spin an inside entrance wheel in turns when pressed. The Eco mode was underwhelming, and whereas there’s a Private mode to tweak your personal mixture of settings, we’d be shocked if anybody ever makes use of it.
Nissan presents 4 ranges of regenerative braking, managed by way of paddle shifters on all however the S+. Then there’s the e-Step mode, which is sort of one-pedal driving. The regen general isn’t that robust in opposition to among the rivals, however frustratingly, it drops out round 7 mph, that means the driving force should brake to a full cease. Nobody-pedal driving, in 2025?
Roadholding is predictable, with predictable understeer if pushed. The standout attribute seems to be the Leaf’s steering. Generally, steering really feel and response is extra noticeable in EVs than gasoline vehicles, as a result of the powertrain is smoother and the load of the battery is on the backside of the car, decreasing the middle of gravity and lowering physique roll. In 2010, the steering of the 2011 Leaf may solely be described as “numb.” Fortunately, instances have modified.
The most recent Nissan design for electrical energy steering (EPS) isn’t distinctive to the Leaf, however it could be proven to finest benefit within the small EV. Engineers moved the motor from the steering column to the rack itself, giving them better flexibility in tailoring steering really feel to totally different fashions and buyer wishes—as measured by elements just like the rise in steering effort, linearity, and through-the-wheel response really feel in opposition to its personal standards.
The result’s among the sweetest and most direct EPS we’ve pushed. It’s higher than its Korean rivals, although we will’t converse to the 2027 Bolt but. Is it pretty much as good as a Porsche Taycan? Nah. However it’s rattling good for a automotive on this worth vary.
Comfy Seats, Legroom Tradeoffs
Nissan notes the cabin of the brand new Leaf is longer, by advantage of its shorter nostril, than the outgoing mannequin. The entrance seats, primarily based on the corporate’s newest Zero Gravity design for spinal assist, are certainly comfy and supportive—however 4 6-foot adults should still should commerce a little bit of entrance seat adjustment to get sufficient rear legroom.
Essentially the most hanging impression I took away in 160 miles was the remarkably quiet cabin. Tire noise and street rumble was just about all that might be heard; nearly no wind noise or electronics whine was discernible. It’s a powerful degree of refinement for a $30K automotive, and a few rivals would do nicely to determine what sorcery Nissan employed—and replicate it.
