Nissan Beats Tesla To $25K EV Musk Said Would Never Happen

Pricing for the entry-level 2026 Leaf S is out, making it America’s cheapest EV and setting a new benchmark for affordability

Update: Just weeks after Nissan shared pricing for the 2026 Leaf minus the entry-level version, we now have that missing detail. According to order guide data obtained by CarsDirect, the base 2026 Leaf S will start at just over $25,000 before incentives. The figure does not include the soon-to-be-discontinued $7,500 federal tax credit, but with the model not arriving until next year, it won’t be eligible for that incentive anyway.

The Lowest-Cost EV in America

Priced at $25,360, the Leaf S undercuts the next trim, the S+, by $4,630, and even the previous generation S by $2,780. More significantly, it earns the distinction of being the most affordable EV in the United States, a title it will likely hold for some time.

The only real threats come from GM’s upcoming Chevrolet Bolt or a supposed entry-level Tesla, though the latter rests on the unlikely event of Elon Musk actually producing the $25,000 EV he has (or had) been dangling since 2018. That promise has been recycled so many times it now feels more like a meme than a product plan. In fact, even Musk has since backpedaled on it admitting last year, “having a regular, $25K model is pointless. It’d be silly”.

Also: Nissan Is Dropping The Ariya EV After 2025

Specifications for the base Leaf have yet to be detailed, but range will likely fall short of the 288 to 303 miles offered by the S+, SV+, and Platinum+ versions. The S is equipped with a 52 kWh battery and a 130 kW motor producing 174 horsepower.

Arrival Timing

As for when the base Leaf S will reach US showrooms, Nissan has only said it will arrive in spring 2026. That schedule places its launch several months after the other trims, which are slated to go on sale in the coming weeks. Original story continues below.

John Halas contributed to this story

Pricing for the next-generation Nissan Leaf is finally official, giving us a picture of how the popular EV is shaping up for 2026. The new model not only undercuts the equivalent trims of its predecessor, it also positions itself as one of the most affordable electric vehicles currently available in the US.

According to the automaker, the Leaf now holds the lowest starting MSRP of any EV on sale in the country. To put things in perspective, here’s how the 2026 model year compares with the outgoing 2025 version.

2026 NISSAN LEAF MSRP

Nissan managed to keep the S+ trim just under the psychological $30,000 mark, no small feat given today’s inflationary climate. It is reasonable to expect the upcoming S trim to come in even lower, strengthening the Leaf’s appeal as a budget-friendly EV.

More: Nissan’s New Leaf Could Be In Trouble Before It Even Hits The Road

For now, the only direct comparison between generations can be made with the SV+. The new version starts at $34,230, nearly $2,000 less than the 2025 model, despite offering more range and a richer list of standard features.

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Two Powertrain Options

The S+, SV+, and Platinum+ trims share the larger 75 kWh battery, delivering up to 303 miles (488 km) of EPA-estimated range. These versions are paired with a more powerful motor producing 215 hp (160 kW / 218 PS). The base S trim uses a 52 kWh pack and a 174 hp (130 kW / 177 PS) motor, still an upgrade over the outgoing entry-level setup.

On the charging front, every US-market Leaf now includes a NACS port for Tesla Supercharger access and supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality.

Sleeker Design and Updated Cabin

The Leaf’s redesign moves the model into fastback crossover territory, with a 173.4-inch (4,404 mm) body that cuts a more aerodynamic profile than the hatchbacks it replaces. LED lighting is standard across the board, while the Platinum+ gains exclusive taillights inspired by the Nissan Z. Wheel options range from steel 18-inchers with aero covers on the S and S+, to 18-inch alloys on the SV+, and 19-inch alloys on the Platinum+.

More: Nissan Says We Made A Mistake With New Leaf’s Taillights

Nissan claims that the cabin is roomier than before, helped by a flat floor and newly designed seats. Up front, every trim comes with a digital cockpit: the S and S+ feature dual 12.3-inch displays, while the SV+ and Platinum+ step up to larger 14.3-inch screens.

At the top of the range, the Platinum+ sets itself apart with a panoramic roof that can shift from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button. It also adds a head-up display, multi-color ambient lighting, a motion-activated power liftgate, and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. A full suite of driver-assistance features is included across the entire lineup.

Deliveries of the 2026 Nissan Leaf in the US are slated for fall 2025, with launches also planned in Japan, Europe, and Australia.

2026 Nissan Leaf S+

2026 Nissan Leaf Platinum+

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