2026 Nissan Leaf Review: Value Victory
How Much Does the 2026 Nissan Leaf Cost?
- When it goes on sale later in the fall, the Nissan Leaf S+ trim level will start at $31,485 (including destination), making it the most affordable electric vehicle on the American market, beating out the Hyundai Kona Electric and Chevrolet Equinox EV.
How Does the 2026 Nissan Leaf Compare With Other Electric SUVs?
- Against the Equinox EV and Kona, the 2026 Leaf falls between them in charging, range and performance but beats both on price. It’s also one of the smaller electric SUVs available, with a footprint that’s closer to subcompact than compact.
2026 Nissan Leaf, front | Cars.com photo by Conner Golden
It’s 2025 — electric vehicles are no longer novel. Folks don’t buy EVs just because they’re electric, and they especially won’t slide in the seat if there’s still a whiff of the dorky EV of yesteryear that carried a trunk brimming with cultural baggage. The Nissan Leaf? Oh, that’s one of the original EVs, right down to its dowdy hatch appearance and interior that managed to be boring, funky and outdated all at the same time.
Mind you, I’m talking the first- and second-generation Leaf, the latter replaced for the 2026 model year with the third gen of Nissan’s electric bread and butter. I’d never accuse the latest Leaf of being granola, as its scaled-up, sleekened exterior and genuine stylistic flair indicates it ain’t your weird aunt’s EV anymore.
Related: 2026 Nissan Leaf Goes Crossover, Finally Gets the Range It Deserves
Even before you set butt to seat, you can tell Nissan spent considerable effort to distance the redesigned 2026 Leaf from both its immediate ancestors and the workaday Nissan lineup as a whole. The minimalist interior offers a mature, measured translation of the familiar funky-futuristic design language found on so many EVs, surprisingly taking more inspiration from the current Nissan Murano than the Ariya, Nissan’s other electric SUV.
It’s a sharp-looking space to match the Leaf’s fastback exterior, which is a clear attempt to capture the enduring popularity of the SUV-style “coupe.” Emphasis there is on “SUV,” as the Leaf sheds its familiar compact-hatch skin for that of a (slightly) lifted, cladded crossover, an identity shift that slots right in with what’s popular among U.S. consumers.
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How Big Is the 2026 Nissan Leaf?
It’s a crossover, but quite a compact one. At Nissan’s first-drive event for automotive media, my Leaf test vehicle was loaded with three people, with Cars.com’s 6-foot-tall videographer sitting behind my 5-foot-11-inch frame as I rode shotgun to my drive partner. (Cars.com pays for its own travel and lodging when attending such manufacturer-sponsored events.) This arrangement required that I scoot the front passenger seat relatively far forward so as to not crush my colleague’s legs. The happy medium found my legs moderately bent against the slanted passenger footwell, with my knee resting against the hard edge of the protruding panel on the dash for the push-button gear selector.
Comparing manufacturer-listed interior dimensions between the new and previous Leaf tells the full story. For the new car, front legroom remains nearly unchanged, with an extra 0.3 inch, but it cuts a substantial 1.7 inches from rear legroom that, in turn, leeches space from the front as passengers compensate. Checking over exterior dimensions reveals more shrinkage, with the 2026 Leaf actually cutting 0.4 inch from the wheelbase and 3 inches from the overall length. Nissan-measured cargo space of 20 cubic feet behind the backseat is slightly less than it was before, but maximum cargo capacity with the backseat folded blooms by 25.5 cubic feet to 55.5.
2026 Nissan Leaf, rear angle | Cars.com photo by Conner Golden
It gets stranger the more you compare. The new Leaf is wider than the old hatch but is both shorter in height and ground clearance. That’s no typo: If you plan on tackling the Rubicon, perhaps spring for a last-gen Leaf and its additional 0.6 inch of ground clearance over the new model’s 5.3 inches. (Editor’s note: Don’t take any Leaf on the Rubicon Trail.)
What Is the 2026 Nissan Leaf’s Interior Like?
Materials are the biggest conversation piece here; frosted plastic dash trim and controls give way to a neat textile panel that runs the perimeter of the cabin, lending a flat, matte appearance to the interior that’s a welcome change from gloss-black and faux carbon-fiber surfaces. Top-of-the-line Platinum+ grade features include heated seats and steering wheel, a 10-speaker Bose sound system, a wireless device charger, a head-up display, rain-sensing wipers and a hands-free power liftgate.
Dual 14.3-inch driver and infotainment displays arrive at the second-from-the-top SV+ trim, and they’re both responsive and high-fidelity — ditto for the current iteration of the NissanConnect infotainment system. It’s worth mentioning that some of the Leaf’s most practical goodies are reserved for the higher trims, including Google Built-In infotainment tech with route planning, a heat pump and a vehicle-to-load outlet in the cargo area.
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Nissan is one-third of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance and produces a full selection of cars and SUVs as well as the mid-size Frontier pickup.
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2026 Nissan Leaf, front row | Cars.com photo by Conner Golden
How Does the 2026 Nissan Leaf Drive?
You’d think that this ground-huggin’ stance and new rakish profile indicates the new Leaf is some manner of electro hot hatch, but you’d be dead wrong. Out on some moderately snaked California mountain roads, the 2026 Leaf was remarkably uncomposed, with a weird amount of squirminess and continued rebound from the suspension over bumps. Slow steering and an incongruously firm ride combined with those body motions for a noxious carsickness concoction that had all three of us separately remarking at just how jostling the ride can be over pavement that really didn’t seem that broken or undulating.
It can’t corner or coddle worth a darn, but you can ignore everything — everything — mentioned above if you restrict the third-gen Leaf to urban surface streets or arrow-straight highways. Through the short portions of downtown San Diego and its network of wide interstates, the Leaf was utterly and entirely acceptable from a ride quality perspective, only returning a bit of squiggle through slow road dips and over speed bumps.
Stay away from the countryside, I guess. On the other end of the spectrum, the Leaf’s brake blend — or the balance between purely regenerative resistance and the physical brakes — is well tuned. All four levels of regen braking were both usable and effective, and while Nissan’s max e-Step regen mode isn’t quite one-pedal driving, it wicks away a significant amount of speed before tapering and eventually disengaging around 5-6 mph.
2026 Nissan Leaf, wheel | Cars.com photo by Conner Golden
How Much Power Does the 2026 Nissan Leaf Have?
Power and performance from the single front-mounted electric motor is more impressive than its 214 horsepower and 261 pounds-feet of torque might indicate. Even with three dudes and a load of camera gear, the electric drivetrain’s insta-torque was more than enough for safe passing and highway merging. My test vehicle was a top-of-the-line Platinum+ grade, which comes with the more powerful motor and larger battery that most trims have; stick with the basest-of-base S grade, and power drops to 174 hp and 254 pounds-feet.
More Nissan Leaf News From Cars.com:
- All-New 2026 Nissan Leaf Remains Cheapest EV Available, Starts at $31,485
- 2026 Nissan Leaf Up Close: Third Time’s Truly a Charm
- The EV Tax Credit Is Ending; What Should an EV Shopper Do Now, and What’s Next?
- What to Know Before Purchasing an Electric Vehicle: A Buying Guide
- Here Are the 11 Cheapest Electric Vehicles You Can Buy
How Fast Does the 2026 Nissan Leaf Charge?
There are dual charge ports — a J1772-style port that supports Level 2 charging and a Tesla-style North American Charging Standard port that supports DC fast-charging at up to 150 kilowatts. Under ideal conditions, road trippers can expect to juice the Leaf from 10% to 80% in 35 minutes, according to Nissan, but make sure you pick the right trim for your needs, as range varies greatly. For now, Nissan only has range estimates for the bigger 75-kilowatt-hour battery that goes in every trim save the base S, with the S+ offering 303 miles of range, 288 miles for the SV+ and the heaviest Platinum+ having a still-solid 259 miles.
1 / 252026 Nissan Leaf, dashboard controls | Cars.com photo by Conner Golden
But here’s the best part: As of this writing, the 2026 Leaf is still the most affordable EV available on the U.S market. As previously mentioned, the S+ lands at $31,485 (including destination), undercutting both the Hyundai Kona Electric and Chevrolet Equinox EV as the bargain champion, with the as-of-yet-unrevealed Leaf S presumably coming in around the $29,000 or $30,000 mark. The new Leaf is a no-brainer at its low-to-middle pricing, but the value proposition becomes foggy as you reach the $40,000 mark with a top trim.
It ain’t perfect, but this third-generation Leaf slingshots Nissan’s O.G. EV into the modern electric era while still retaining the affordability that made the nameplate so well liked in the first place. Look for your local Nissan dealer to stock them sometime later in the fall, but just make sure you absolutely, positively don’t have a curvy road on your morning commute.
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
Is the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox a Good SUV? 6 Pros, 2 Cons
By Jim Travers
September 12, 2025
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2025 Chevrolet Equinox Activ AWD | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry
The Chevrolet Equinox was treated to a much-needed redesign for 2025, something it hasn’t had since way back in 2018. No small improvement, the update takes the Equinox from also-ran status to offering a combination of features, comfort and value that few other entries in the hyper-competitive compact SUV category can match. Better still, it’s wrapped up in an attractive, more rugged-looking package.
Related: 2025 Chevrolet Equinox Review: Substance Over Speed
Along with the stylish new look that keeps it more in line with current Chevrolet design themes, the 2025 Equinox has grown wider and more spacious while gaining added safety features and a nicer interior. All of that should help keep the Equinox on buyers’ radar in the face of worthy competition from the Ford Escape (soon to be discontinued), Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4 and others. The Equinox continues for 2026 with no major changes.
Cars.com Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman traveled to a media event to sample the reinvented Equinox and found a lot to like, even if the less-than-inspiring old engine soldiers on. (Per our ethics policy, Cars.com pays for its own travel and lodging when attending such manufacturer-sponsored events.) Tap the link above to read Aaron’s expert review; read on for a quicker look at six things we like about the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox, and two things we do not.
What Do We Like About the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox?
1. Choose Your Style
The Equinox lineup has been simplified to just three trims for 2025, each with its own distinctive look and personality. Base LT models are nicely equipped, if reserved in appearance, with a chrome grille and available two-tone paint for a splash of style. Sporty RS trims get larger 19- or 20-inch wheels and blacked-out trim, while the new range-topping Activ trim boasts a more rugged off-road appearance with all-terrain tires, a unique grille and more. Underneath, however, all three are very similar and feel largely the same from behind the wheel.
2. Refined Ride
Engineers have dialed in a much-improved driving experience, resulting in a hushed, comfortable and nicely controlled ride regardless of trim. The Equinox makes easy work of potholes and broken pavement, with impressive isolation and minimal fuss even with big 19-inch wheels. The steering is nicely weighted without too much boost, and the chunky wheel feels good in your hands.
3. Impressive Interior
2025 Chevrolet Equinox Activ AWD, front row, front row | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry
Chevrolet has made major improvements in interior quality with its recent offerings, and the redesigned Equinox is the latest to get the treatment. Materials quality and feel are as impressive as anything in the class, especially in RS and Activ trims with touches such as contrasting trim and faux-suede seat inserts. The cabin is spacious and welcoming, with excellent visibility all around and an available panoramic sunroof that adds to the airy feel.
4. Commendable Controls
A new 11.3-inch multimedia screen and 11-inch configurable instrument display are vivid and easy to use, with simple menu structures that make it easy to find what you want and offer customization options. Like other recent Chevrolet offerings, the multimedia system is Google-based, but wireless Apple CarPlay is still included. We also appreciate that Chevy has included physical buttons and knobs for audio and climate functions.
2025 Chevrolet Equinox Activ AWD, center stack display | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry
5. Full of Features
Chevrolet has added a number of safety and convenience items to the redesigned Equinox, adding to its impressive value for the price. The Chevy Safety Assist suite is standard with all trims, with new features including intersection automatic emergency braking, an HD backup camera, rear park assist, rear cross-traffic braking and adaptive cruise control. A 360-degree camera system is available, along with traffic-sign recognition, rear pedestrian alert and a rearview camera mirror.
6. Priced Right
With the average price of a new car closing in on $50,000, the 2025 Equinox’ starting price of $29,995 for an LT trim with front-wheel drive is especially appealing given its bang for the buck. Adding all-wheel drive to any trim adds $2,000. Stepping up to an RS or Activ with AWD will set you back $36,395 (all prices include a $1,395 destination fee). Even loaded with options, the Equinox is something of a bargain. Just make sure you’re OK with its leisurely acceleration.
Read More Chevrolet Equinox News:
- What’s the Best Compact SUV for 2025?
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- All-New 2025 Chevrolet Equinox Priced From $29,995
- Research the Chevrolet Equinox
What Do We Dislike About the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox?
1. Poky Powertrain
2025 Chevrolet Equinox Activ AWD, engine | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry
The only powertrain offered uses a carryover turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine good for 175 horsepower and 184 pounds-feet of torque with FWD or 203 pounds-feet with AWD. The difference is FWD models get a continuously variable automatic transmission, while AWD models use an eight-speed automatic. Neither powertrain is anything to write home about, with no better than adequate performance. Oddly, the CVT version felt livelier and more responsive than the eight-speed automatic, which runs out of steam quickly and is slow to downshift.
2. No Off-Roader
Most compact SUVs don’t end up spending a lot of time off-road, but buyers increasingly are asking that SUVs at least look like they’re ready for the Rubicon. The Equinox in Activ trim is exactly that, an “off-road” trim with the looks but not the equipment. Beyond the chunky General Grabber tires and unique suspension tuning, the Activ does without more serious off-road gear like underbody protection, locking differentials, or even a raised ride height.
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Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
2026 Subaru WRX, BRZ Sting With Special Series.Yellow Editions
By Robert Duffer
September 11, 2025
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2026 Subaru BRZ Series.Yellow | Manufacturer image
Subaru buzzes the sports car hive for 2026 with two limited-run models painted yellow and black. The WRX sedan and 2026 BRZ coupe will each debut a new Series.Yellow edition during Boxerfest in York, Penn., Sunday.
Related: 2025 Subaru WRX tS Review: Top of the Food Chain
What Is the Series.Yellow?
The special-edition sports cars build off the sport-tuned tS trim levels with a flashy Sunrise Yellow exterior and 19-inch alloy wheels with a matte-black finish. Subaru decorates the interior with yellow stitching on the upholstery, doors and instrument cluster. The Series.Yellow editions evoke special editions from Subaru’s past, including the Japanese-market BRZ STI Sport and WRX STI 207 (not to mention the WRX’s Series White and Series.HyperBlue previously offered here). The Series.Yellow models will be limited to 350 units of each.
Like the range-topping tS grades, both Series.Yellow models come with a six-speed manual transmission, Brembo brakes and suspension tuning by Subaru Technica International, Subaru’s performance arm.
WRX Series.Yellow
Every WRX features a 271-horsepower, turbocharged 2.4-liter flat four-cylinder engine with all-wheel drive. Additional grip for the Series.Yellow comes from Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires wrapped around 19-inch alloy wheels. The tS and Series.Yellow get the six-speed manual transmission and adaptive dampers. (The WRX GT and lesser trims use a continuously variable automatic transmission.)
The inside appears mostly the same as other WRX grades, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and vertically oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen for infotainment. The difference is in the Recaro front bucket seats that have yellow contrast stitching and accents.
BRZ Series.Yellow
The only Subaru to not come with standard AWD, the BRZ rear-wheel-drive sports coupe is powered by a 228-hp, 2.4-liter flat four-cylinder engine. It uses a close-ratio six-speed manual that drivers can use to keep the revs high. Suspension control is aided by STI-tuned front dampers and Hitachi rear dampers, and the Brembo brakes arrest the 18-inch wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.
The interior sports black upholstery with yellow stitching on the front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and base of the shifter and parking brake.
Pricing and Release Date
Pricing for both Series.Yellow models will arrive later in 2026 closer to their release dates.
Read More About the Subaru WRX and BRZ:
- 2024 Subaru BRZ tS Review: A Rare Delicacy
- How Much Did Subaru Prices Increase After Tariffs Went Into Effect?
- Which Cars Have Manual Transmissions?
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- Shop for a Subaru WRX
- Shop for a Subaru BRZ
