WEALTH October 24, 2026 0 Comments

Why Everyone Thought the OG EV Was Dead—Until It Just Flipped the Script Entirely

Remember the original Nissan Leaf? That curious little starter electric vehicle that practically put the world on notice for EVs, even if it couldn’t quite get you far on a single charge — and had a look that made you, well, do a double take? Fast forward to today, and Nissan has flipped the script. The third-generation Leaf isn’t just an evolution; it’s practically a revolution in disguise. It now flaunts a sleek crossover silhouette, slots neatly into busy city spaces, and boasts a driving range that’ll have you wondering if EV miracles are real. It’s stylish, packed with tech that actually makes sense behind the wheel, and delivers a driving experience that whispers quiet confidence — no engine noise required. So, if you’re thinking that the Leaf is still that bargain-basement quirky hatch from years past, think again. Nissan’s latest Leaf is showing the market what efficiency, elegance, and brainy engineering look like in 2026. Ready to find out how this EV sets a brisk pace well beyond its humble beginnings?

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Nissan was a pioneer in electric cars with the original Leaf. Now it has completely reinvented its efficient EV as it grows in stature and range

If you remember the first-generation Nissan Leaf EV, then you’re going to need a little recalibration to get up to speed with the new one, the third of its kind and only just gone on sale in Ireland. While the OG, as the first-ever mass-produced electric car, was an undeniable pioneer in the world of EVs, its range between (glacially slow) charges was laughably short and the design was, being charitable with words, ‘quirky’.

Fast forward to 2026 and people seeing the new car for the first time will struggle to believe it shares its name with that ancestor. The Nissan Leaf is now a stylish crossover — with more than a hint of coupe about it — and it’s among the longest-range EVs on the market at its price point.

Its range wouldn’t matter if the car looked weird, but the new Leaf’s appearance will get bums on seats in your local Nissan dealership for sure. Complementing the plunging roofline and confident stance are rear lights that wouldn’t look out of place on a sports car. You’d also be forgiven for thinking that the new model is significantly larger than before. But it’s barely 10mm taller and actually quite a chunk shorter than its predecessor. So it remains a compact vehicle, which means it should be easy to drive, place on the road and park in tight spaces.

Bear all that in mind when checking out its cabin. The Leaf’s rear seats are fine for the size of car it is, but not comparable to those of the myriad larger, more expensive electric SUVs on the market. Likewise, the boot holds a decent amount of luggage but this is no estate car.

That’s the end of the bad news, pretty much. The Leaf’s interior is lovely to look at, and it feels of high quality as well. The front of the car is actually quite spacious, a feeling helped by the minimal design of the centre console and the shadeless glass roof above that can block out light at the touch of a button. And while there are the obligatory touchscreen — running intuitive Google-based software — and digital instruments, Nissan has sensibly added separate shortcut buttons and switchgear for the climate control, augmented by a deliciously tactile scroll wheel on one of the steering wheel spokes.

Such things make a lot of sense when you’re driving and don’t want to have to take your eyes off the road for any longer than necessary.

And the new Leaf outshines its predecessors on the road too. For starters it has much more performance, up to 217hp as tested, though Nissan’s engineers have sensibly calibrated it for effortless oomph rather than neck-straining acceleration. More importantly, the Leaf is smooth and refined on the move, cutting through the air quietly and isolating its occupants from the world outside. It also nonchalantly deals with all manner of bumps and poor road surfaces underneath. Of course, as it’s an EV, there’s nothing so uncouth as an audible engine to disturb the peace either.

Buyers of the Nissan Leaf get a choice between two battery packs and a wide variety of trim levels to suit their budgets and preferences. The entry-level battery is a 52kWh item, enabling a quoted range between charges of 440km. That’s way more than the old Leaf managed and also more than sufficient to cover most motorists’ daily needs. But some will like the reassurance of as large a battery as they can get — and they’ll be eyeing up the 75kWh option, bringing the official range to a massive 622km. What’s more, thanks in part to an advanced heat-management system that comes as standard, low-drag aerodynamics and other efficiency measures, the Leaf can get close to its official figures without too much effort on the driver’s behalf.

Retail pricing starts at €36,095, indicating that the Leaf is no bargain-basement offering, with the bigger-battery car starting at €39,995. Nonetheless, even the base Engage trim level is well equipped with a lot more than the basics. Admittedly, the higher-spec models are tempting — and you could spend up to €53,187 for a version with all the bells and whistles.

That’s obviously a lot of money for a relatively compact EV, but the new Leaf justifies its pricing with its new station in life. It is a high-quality, high-tech offering that marries stylish design with an efficient and long-range electric powertrain. Given the growth of the electric car segment, the Leaf may no longer be a pioneer in the market. But it certainly carries on the legacy of the original, while eclipsing it in every conceivable way.

Model: Nissan Leaf

Price: from €36,495

Electric motor: 160kW Battery

Capacity: 75kWh

Range (WLTP): 622km

Power: 217hp

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Acceleration (0-100kph): 7.6 seconds

Top speed: 160kph

Emissions: 0g/km,€120 motor tax

Dimensions (mm): 4350 (L); 1810 (W, mirrors folded); 1550 (H)

Cargo space: 437 litres