When the reborn, third-generation Nissan Leaf debuted last summer, Nissan promised an entry-level trim with a sub-$45,000 price tag would join the lineup in 2026. Now, that's not happening.
Don't get us wrong, the 2026 Leaf is a solid deal to begin with. Currently, the S+ trim serves as the entry level model. With its $44,998 price tag, it hits the all-important sub-$45,000 kick-off point. but here's the kicker: factoring in destination and other fees you can't avoid, you're up to $47,846 pre-tax.
The Leaf S, on the other hand, was supposed to come in at $45,000 pre-tax, but with destination and all the other fun fees you can't avoid. In order to shave a few bucks off the bottom line, the Leaf S was slated to come with a 53 kWh battery pack, a smaller electric motor up front, and a range estimate in the neighbourhood of 340 kilometres.
But the company cites softening EV demand, along with the decision to axe the model for the U.S. market due to tariffs, as the main culprits for the super-entry-level Leaf's untimely demise. The tariffs wouldn't have directly affected Canadian sales, but given Nissan's tumultuous finances as of late, we imagine Nissan didn't think bringing over the Leaf S just for one market was worth it.
All that said, it's not a firm no — Nissan says it'll "continue to assess future ... configurations based on customer demand." So if you're hankering for an ultra-cheap Leaf, keep asking Nissan nicely.
