2026 Nissan Leaf exceeds 300 miles in real‑world range test
Published on Nov 07, 2025 at 7:29 AM (UTC+4)
by Molly Davidson
Last updated on Nov 07, 2025 at 10:24 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
The new Nissan Leaf just pulled off something unexpected during a real-world range test.
In a recent Edmunds EV Range Test, it exceeded its official number.
Not by a little, either – this thing hit over 300 miles on a single charge.
That’s a big deal for a car that’s usually more about value than bragging rights.
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The test that proved the Nissan Leaf can go the distance
When Edmunds runs its range tests, it’s not just highway cruising.
They mix 60 percent city and 40 percent highway driving to mimic what regular people actually do, including red lights, stop signs, and a few freeway stretches.
The Leaf Platinum+ was supposed to quit at around 259 miles, according to its official EPA rating.
But instead, it just… kept going.
By the time it finally rolled to a stop, the trip meter showed 310 miles.
That’s 51 miles beyond the EPA estimate – a 20 percent jump that puts the Leaf in rare company.
It also used less energy than expected: 27.8 kWh per 100 miles instead of the EPA’s 33.
That’s a solid efficiency win, showing how well Nissan has tuned this battery system.
All 2026 Leafs currently use a 75-kWh pack with front-wheel drive, but a smaller, more affordable 52-kWh version is coming soon.
What’s more is the base Leaf starts around $30,000, which makes its overachieving range figures even harder to ignore.
How it stacks up against rivals
Of course, it’s not the only small EV chasing big numbers.
The Chevy Equinox EV managed 356 miles in the same test, though it used a bit more power to do it.
And while the Hyundai Kona EV only reached 264 miles, it was slightly thriftier with energy.
That puts the Leaf right in the sweet spot – practical range, solid efficiency, and a price that won’t send you into orbit.
The 2026 Nissan Leaf just proved it’s still full of surprises, beating its own range rating and showing that quiet progress can be exciting too.
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Molly Davidson is a Junior Content Writer at Supercar Blondie. Based in Melbourne, she holds a double Bachelor’s degree in Arts/Law from Swinburne University and a Master’s of Writing and Publishing from RMIT. Molly has contributed to a range of magazines and journals, developing a strong interest in lifestyle and car news content. When she’s not writing, she’s spending quality time with her rescue English staffy, Boof.
