Nissan Delays Sub-$30,000 Base Leaf S Model Andi Hedrick – Car and Driver
The Nissan Leaf S, a new base trim that was supposed to be added to the lineup this year, has been delayed.
Nissan said the decision was due to an “evolving EV landscape” but that it only affects the 2026 model year; the company will continue to evaluate customer demand.
The Leaf S was expected to start under $30,000 and feature a smaller 52-kWh battery and a less potent 174-hp electric motor.
The Nissan Leaf is already one of the most affordable electric cars on the market, starting at just $31,485. Nissan had planned to lower its price even further with an entry-level Leaf S trim later this year. But now those plans have been put on hold, with Nissan delaying the Leaf S and its smaller battery pack due to an “evolving EV landscape,” as first reported by InsideEVs.
Nissan confirmed the news to Car and Driver, with a spokesperson stating that “we have decided not to introduce the smaller‑battery variant of the 2026 Nissan LEAF in the U.S. this model year.” The representative said that Nissan will “continue to assess future battery configurations based on customer demand and segment needs,” with plans for the 2027 model year not yet officially decided.
Andi Hedrick – Car and Driver
Nissan had announced details for the base S variant when it unveiled the third-generation Leaf last summer. Originally, it said the Leaf S would arrive at some point in 2026. While no price was given at the time, the Leaf S was expected to start below the $30,000 threshold. The base Leaf was set to feature a smaller 52-kWh battery; all other versions have a 75-kWh pack. Nissan didn’t provide a range estimate for the S trim, but it would have been notably less than other Leaf variants, which have between 256 and 303 miles of estimated driving range depending on the equipment level.
The Leaf S was also set to introduce a different, less potent powertrain. While all Leafs employ a single electric motor connected to the front wheels, the Leaf S was rated at 174 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque, compared with other trims that have 214 hp and 261 pound-feet.
Andi Hedrick – Car and Driver
While Nissan says that the Leaf S is not necessarily dead, simply delayed, we aren’t holding our breath. The removal of the federal EV tax credit last fall has had a dramatic effect on EV sales, and a simpler lineup with higher advertised range figures might make more sense in these challenging conditions.
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