When the reborn, third-generation Nissan Leaf debuted last year, Nissan promised an entry-level trim with a sub-$45,000 price tag would join the lineup this year. For a minute, it looked like that wasn't going to happen, but Nissan ended up, well, making it happen.
The 2027 Nissan Leaf S now serves as the entry-level trim, kicking off the party with a price tag of $34,998, or $37,966 pre-tax but with destination. Either way, that's more than $10,000 less from the next trim up, the Leaf S Plus. Factor in the feds' EV rebate and you're looking at about 38 grand on the road for a brand-new car with CarPlay and a warranty. Not bad at all.
The Leaf S uses a smaller 53 kWh battery pack and a less-powerful 174-horsepower front motor. Nissan hasn't flexed how hard it launches or how fast it runs from null-to-sixty, but quotes an estimated range of 341 kilometres. Considerably more than a Fiat 500e, that's for sure.
Nissan hasn't said exactly what's missing from the Leaf S' equipment load-out, but can spot more plain-looking wheels and a different tail light treatment than upper trims, and we imagine Nissan has pared down its exterior colour and interior upholstery options.
So, what do you get? For starters, all Leafs — including the S — feature an NACS charge port, a thermal management system and a heat pump standard. Twin 12.3-inch screens make up the infotainment and digital gauge cluster, while goodies such as wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, heated seats, and Nissan's basic suite of active safety and driver assists remain standard.
As for the rest of the lineup, Leaf models powered by the 75 kW battery — that is, anything but the S — now have an 11 kW on-board charger. Nissan says this faster charger cuts Level 2 charge times by two to three hours; I welcome that upgrade. Pricing for upper-trim models range from $48,139 for the S+, to $55,966 for the top-of-the-line Platinum+, all including destination. All but the Platinum+ are eligible for the feds' EV rebate.
The 2027 Nissan Leaf S hits dealers this fall.