Inside, the dash layout and the materials used are a massive step beyond the old model, but the touchscreen’s orientation away from the driver is a shared point of frustration among our judges. Meanwhile, second-row legroom and headroom are cramped enough to make you think twice about offering adults a ride.

Another issue: The Leaf’s EV credentials are already beginning to look dated. Peak charging speeds cap out at 150 kW, and this Platinum+ trim is only good for up to 259 miles of EPA driving range. That figure makes it tough to make a case for the best-equipped Leaf in our efficiency category.

Many judges said the Leaf makes more sense at the lower end of its trim lineup. In terms of value, the more basic S+ model starts at $31,485, undercutting our Platinum+ contender’s as-tested price by $10,445. What’s more, the Leaf S+ can travel 303 miles per charge.

“Nissan’s gatekeeping of key features like Google Maps with a route planner and a battery heater really doesn’t sit well with me or our value criterion,” features editor Christian Seabaugh said. “I couldn’t in good conscious recommend this car over something like an Equinox EV considering you get so much more vehicle and basic capability for your money.” And with no all-wheel-drive variant on offer and its ground clearance more hatchback than SUV, the Leaf struggles to perform off-road or in low-friction environments.

So we applaud Nissan for modernizing the Leaf, but it merely caught up with electric car contemporaries instead of making legitimate innovations.

This review was conducted as part of our 2026 SUV of the Year (SUVOTY) testing, where each vehicle is evaluated on our six key criteria: efficiency, design, safety, engineering excellence, value, and performance of intended function. Eligible vehicles must be all-new or significantly revised.