You’re shopping electric on a budget, which means you’re eventually going to type “Nissan Leaf price” into a search bar. Fair enough. The Leaf has been the gateway drug to EV ownership for more than a decade: cheap to buy, cheap to run, and, if you choose carefully, not cheap-feeling to live with.
Quick take
In late 2025, a new Nissan Leaf starts around the high-$20,000s to low-$30,000s, while used Leafs can be found anywhere from under $10,000 for early cars to around $20,000–$25,000 for newer, long‑range models with healthy batteries. The catch: battery health matters more than the odometer.
Nissan Leaf price overview in 2025–2026
Leaf pricing at a glance (U.S. market)
The Leaf occupies a weird, lovable corner of the EV market. New, it’s still one of the cheapest electric cars you can buy in America. Used, it’s the value-bin special of the EV world, sometimes a brilliant deal, sometimes a trap wearing a low monthly payment. To make sense of the numbers, you have to look at model year, battery size, and battery health all at once.
New Nissan Leaf price: 2025 vs 2026
Let’s start with the new-car side of the showroom, because it sets the ceiling for what any used Leaf is worth.
New Nissan Leaf MSRP snapshot
Approximate U.S. pricing, including destination, as of late 2025. Always check your local dealer or Nissan’s site for updated figures.
| Model year & trim | Battery | EPA range (est.) | Approx. MSRP* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Leaf S | 40 kWh | 149 mi | ≈ $29,000 |
| 2025 Leaf SV Plus | 60 kWh | 212 mi | ≈ $37,000 |
| 2026 Leaf S (base, announced) | 52 kWh | TBA (longer than old S) | ≈ $25,000–$26,000 (before dest.) |
| 2026 Leaf S+ | 75 kWh | Up to ~303 mi | ≈ $31,500 |
| 2026 Leaf SV+ | 75 kWh | Slightly less than S+ | ≈ $35,500 |
| 2026 Leaf Platinum+ | 75 kWh | Lower (bigger wheels) | ≈ $40,000 |
2025 is essentially the outgoing generation; 2026 brings the redesigned, third‑generation Leaf with more range and new trims.
Why the 2026 Leaf changes the math
The redesigned 2026 Leaf squeezes more range and tech into roughly the same price envelope. That means used prices on 2023–2025 cars will feel downward pressure once the new model floods dealer lots. If you’re buying used, that’s good news.
2025 Leaf: final year of the old guard
- Shorter range (149–212 miles).
- Simple, proven hardware but dated DC fast‑charging.
- Often discounted below sticker price as dealers clear inventory.
2026 Leaf: new shape, new numbers
- Up to ~303 miles of range and NACS fast‑charging.
- Higher-spec interior and tech, still aggressively priced.
- Base S trim dips toward the mid‑$20,000s before incentives.
Don’t overpay for leftovers
If a dealer is offering a 2024 or 2025 Leaf at nearly the same price as a 2026 car, be skeptical. You’re paying new‑car money for old‑car range and old‑car charging. Push hard on price, or walk.
Used Nissan Leaf prices by model year
Used Leaf pricing is where things get interesting. Because the car has been around since 2011 and early batteries aged badly in hot climates, the spread between a “cheap Leaf” and a “good Leaf” is enormous. Below is a realistic, ballpark view of what you’re likely to see in the U.S. market from dealers and reputable marketplaces in late 2025.
Typical used Nissan Leaf price ranges (late 2025)
These are broad national ranges assuming average mileage and battery health. Local markets, taxes, and incentives will shift the numbers up or down.
| Model years | Typical battery | Typical range when new | Ballpark price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–2015 (Gen 1) | 24 kWh | 73–84 mi | $5,000–$9,000 |
| 2016–2017 (late Gen 1) | 24 / 30 kWh | 84–107 mi | $7,000–$11,000 |
| 2018–2019 (Gen 2 early) | 40 / 62 kWh | 149–226 mi | $10,000–$16,000 |
| 2020–2022 | 40 / 62 kWh | 149–226 mi | $13,000–$20,000 |
| 2023–2024 | 40 / 60 kWh | 149–212 mi | $15,000–$22,000 |
| 2025 | 40 / 60 kWh | 149–212 mi | $18,000–$24,000 (lightly used) |
Battery condition can easily move a particular car above or below these ranges.
The $6,000 Leaf that isn’t a bargain
A very cheap early‑generation Leaf usually has a cooked battery. You’ll see 40–60 miles of real‑world range and a car that’s hard to resell. Unless you need a short‑range runabout and understand the compromise, walk away.
How battery size and trim change Leaf pricing
On a Leaf, the badge on the tailgate is only half the story. Two 2019 Leafs can be parked side by side at the same price; one secretly has 40 kWh of battery, the other 62. One is a commuter appliance, the other can actually leave town.
Leaf trims that matter for price
Think in kilowatt‑hours, not just in model years.
Leaf S (40 kWh)
Found in many 2018+ cars, this is the shorter‑range pack.
- New range: ~149 miles.
- Used price: the value play, but less road‑trip friendly.
- Better fit if you have home charging and a short commute.
Leaf SV/SL Plus (60–62 kWh)
The big‑battery Leafs. This is what the classifieds call a "Leaf Plus."
- New range: ~212–226 miles.
- Used price: often $3,000–$5,000 more than a 40 kWh car.
- Best for mixed driving and light road trips.
2026 Leaf S+/SV+/Platinum+ (75 kWh)
The new 75 kWh pack finally puts the Leaf’s range into modern territory.
- Estimated range: up to about 303 miles.
- New price: low‑$30,000s and up.
- Will anchor used values for years to come.
Simple rule of thumb
If your budget can stretch to a 60+ kWh Leaf, do it. The combination of extra range and stronger resale value usually justifies the price jump over a 40 kWh car.
- On older Leafs, the 30 kWh pack (2016–2017) is an in‑between option. It improves range vs the original 24 kWh cars but doesn’t fundamentally change the Leaf’s role: it’s still a short‑range city car.
- On second‑generation Leafs (2018 onward), the price gap between a 40 kWh S and a 60 kWh Plus can be dramatic, but so is the real‑world usability.
- Trim toys (leather, Bose audio, sunroof) move price, but nowhere near as much as battery size and health. Always prioritize electrons over extras.
Tax credits, incentives, and total cost to own
Sticker price is only the opening offer. The Leaf’s whole shtick is low total cost of ownership: cheap energy, modest insurance, and relatively simple hardware. But the incentive picture has shifted under everyone’s feet.
New vs used: where incentives still help
Federal incentives for new Leafs have largely dried up under the latest battery‑sourcing rules, but used EV credits and local programs can still move the math, especially on older Leafs. Always check your state and utility before you buy.
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What you pay up front
- Purchase price: Negotiated sale price, plus destination on new cars.
- Taxes & fees: Varies by state; some offer EV fee waivers, others add extra road‑use fees.
- Home charging: Budget a few hundred dollars for a basic Level 2 charger if you don’t have one.
What you pay over time
- Electricity vs gas: A Leaf sipping electrons typically undercuts fuel costs of a similar gas hatchback by thousands over 5 years.
- Maintenance: No oil changes, fewer moving parts, but tires and brakes still apply.
- Battery aging: Value loss is partly depreciation, partly how fast the battery wears.
Where Recharged fits in
When you buy a used EV through Recharged, every car comes with a Recharged Score Report that includes verified battery health data and fair market pricing. That makes it a lot easier to see whether the Leaf you’re eyeing is genuinely a deal or just cheap for a reason.
Nissan Leaf price vs other affordable EVs
Nissan has kept the Leaf in the bargain basement on purpose. The average new EV in the U.S. still floats in the mid‑$50,000s; the Leaf shows up several floors below, holding the door open. But that doesn’t automatically make it the right cheap EV for you.
How the Leaf stacks up on price
Think of the Leaf as the frugal outlier in a room full of luxury‑priced science projects.
Leaf vs compact crossovers
Compared with mass‑market EV crossovers (Hyundai Kona Electric, Chevy Equinox EV), the Leaf usually undercuts them by several thousand dollars at similar ages.
You trade some range and crossover style for hatchback practicality and a lower note.
Leaf vs Tesla Model 3
A used Leaf can cost half, or less, than a comparable‑age Model 3.
- Leaf: cheaper, simpler, slower.
- Model 3: faster, more range, better DC fast charging, higher insurance.
Leaf vs used gas hatchback
Against something like a used Corolla or Civic hatch, the Leaf’s purchase price is similar, but fuel and maintenance savings tilt in the Leaf’s favor if you drive more than a few thousand miles a year.
The hidden cost: charging network fit
Pre‑2026 Leafs use the older CHAdeMO fast‑charge standard, which is fading from U.S. infrastructure. If you rely heavily on public fast charging, this matters. The 2026 Leaf’s NACS port is a big step forward.
How battery health affects what a Leaf is worth
Here’s the headline: two Leafs of the same year, with the same miles, can differ in range by 30–40% depending on how their batteries have aged. That difference is worth real money, and yet many listings barely mention it.
- A 2018 Leaf with a strong 40 kWh battery that still delivers close to its original range is worth far more than the same car that’s lost several of its capacity bars.
- Hot‑climate cars (Arizona, Texas, parts of California) generally show more degradation than cool‑climate cars, all else equal.
- Frequent DC fast charging and lots of high‑speed highway use can accelerate aging, especially on early packs.
Non‑negotiables when pricing a used Leaf
Before you decide a Leaf’s price is “good,” demand data: a battery state‑of‑health report, charging history if available, and a careful look at those little capacity bars on the instrument cluster.
Battery questions to ask before talking price
1. What’s the battery state of health (SOH)?
Ask for a recent SOH reading from a reputable tool or service. On a modern Leaf, anything in the high‑80s to 90s can be acceptable; numbers much lower demand a lower price.
2. How many capacity bars are left?
The Leaf’s dash shows battery capacity bars. A car that’s already lost several bars should be priced accordingly, think thousands less, not hundreds.
3. Where has the car lived?
A Leaf that spent its life in a mild climate is usually a safer bet than one that roasted in Phoenix summer traffic. Ask for registration history or a vehicle history report.
4. How was the car charged?
Occasional DC fast charging is fine, but heavy, repeated fast‑charge use can age a pack faster. Home Level 2 charging is generally the gentler lifestyle.
5. Is there any remaining battery warranty?
Later Leafs have generous battery warranties by years and mileage. A car still under warranty is less risky and can justify a higher price.
How Recharged handles this for you
Every EV sold through Recharged gets a Recharged Score: an independently verified battery health report paired with a fair‑market price analysis. Instead of guessing what those capacity bars mean in dollars, you see it quantified, upfront.
How to know if you’re getting a fair Leaf price
With the Leaf, “fair” doesn’t always mean “lowest.” A rock‑bottom number on a tired battery is a false economy. Conversely, a slightly higher asking price on a well‑cared‑for big‑battery Leaf can save you years of frustration, and a lot of time at public chargers.
A quick framework for judging Nissan Leaf prices
Use this before you sign anything. Or better yet, before you drive across town to look at the car.
Step 1: Benchmark the market
- Look up similar Leafs by model year, trim, and mileage in your region.
- Pay attention to battery size, separate 40 kWh from Plus models.
- Note how long good examples stay on the market; real deals don’t linger.
Step 2: Adjust for battery and extras
- Strong battery health? The car can justify being at the top of the range.
- Weak battery or hot‑climate history? The price should slide down the range, sometimes way down.
- Extras like ProPILOT Assist or premium audio add value, but treat them as icing, not the cake.
Financing the right way
The Leaf’s low price can tempt lenders (and buyers) into longer loans than the car deserves. Try to keep the term shorter than the time you expect to be happy with the range.
Through Recharged, you can pre‑qualify for EV financing online with no impact on your credit, then shop Leafs that already have battery reports attached.
Using your current car as leverage
If you’re trading in a gas car, its value can swallow a big chunk of a used Leaf’s price. Get an instant offer or trade‑in estimate up front so you know exactly how much room you have.
At Recharged, you can sell, trade, or consign your current car and roll that value into a used Leaf or another EV from our marketplace.
Nissan Leaf price: FAQs
Frequently asked questions about Nissan Leaf pricing
Bottom line: When a Nissan Leaf price is actually “good”
A “good” Nissan Leaf price is not simply the lowest number in your search results. It’s the number that makes sense once you account for battery size, battery health, charging standard, and how you actually live with a car. A too‑cheap Leaf can box you into a 40‑mile daily bubble; a thoughtfully priced one can turn your commute electric without turning your life into a charging puzzle.
If you want the least drama for the money, the sweet spot tends to be: second‑generation Leaf, bigger battery where possible, clean climate and charging history, and transparent battery data. That’s exactly the kind of Leaf you’ll find on Recharged: used EVs with verified battery health, fair pricing, financing options, trade‑in support, and delivery to your driveway. In other words, the price you pay matches the car you get, no guesswork, no range‑roulette.
