2027 Nissan Leaf S Becomes Canada’s Most Affordable New EV

• The new Leaf S starts at $34,998 before freight and other fees

• Its 53-kWh battery provides an estimated 341 kilometres of range

• Standard equipment includes NACS charging, a heat pump and heated front seats

The Nissan Leaf lineup is gaining a more affordable entry point for 2027. Starting at $34,998, the new Leaf S carries the lowest published starting MSRP of any new electric vehicle in Canada.

Once Nissan’s $2,200 freight and preparation charge, air-conditioning levy and applicable dealer fees are included, the advertised selling price climbs to $37,966 before taxes. However, the Leaf S qualifies for the federal Electric Vehicle Affordability Program (EVAP), potentially bringing its MSRP below $30,000 for eligible buyers.

That puts the Leaf in unfamiliar territory for a modern EV. Instead of competing exclusively with electric crossovers costing well over $40,000, the S begins to overlap with similarly sized gasoline-powered vehicles.

Less Battery, But Still Usable Range

The lower price comes mainly from a smaller battery. While the Leaf S+ and higher trims use a 75-kWh pack, the Leaf S receives a 53-kWh battery and a 130-kW electric motor producing 174 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque.

Nissan estimates the Leaf S will travel up to 341 kilometres on a charge. That is considerably less than the 488 kilometres offered by the Leaf S+, but it should remain sufficient for urban driving, commuting and occasional regional trips.

DC fast charging from 10 to 80 percent is estimated to take 35 minutes. The S also uses a 7.2-kW onboard charger, compared with the upgraded 11-kW unit found in the S+ and higher trims. Consequently, its Level 2 charging performance will be slower than that of the more expensive versions.

Those compromises represent the Leaf S’s biggest trade-off. It is inexpensive by EV standards, but buyers who regularly cover long distances may find the additional 147 kilometres of range and faster home charging of the $45,198 Leaf S+ worth considering.

Equipped for Canadian Winters

Nissan did not remove the cold-weather equipment to reach the lower price. A heat pump, battery heater and heated front seats are standard, while the battery benefits from active thermal management. Nissan tested the system in Quebec during the coldest part of the year to make sure it remained efficient in real Canadian winter conditions.

The S also receives separate J1772 and NACS charging ports. The J1772 connection handles Level 1 and Level 2 charging, while the NACS port provides fast charging. V2L capability of up to 1,500 watts is also included.

Inside are two 12.3-inch displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist system. The cabin is more basic than those of higher trims, with cloth upholstery, manually adjusted seats and a four-speaker audio system. Rear air vents are also reserved for the SV+ and Platinum+, an unfortunate omission in a vehicle likely to appeal to young families. Cargo capacity remains a useful 566 litres behind the rear seats and 1,572 litres with them folded.

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How Does It Compare?

Before the Kia EV4 and EV3 arrived, the Fiat 500e was among Canada’s least expensive electric vehicles. Its $39,995 MSRP is still nearly $5,000 higher than that of the Leaf S. Once freight and other mandatory charges are included, its price climbs to approximately $42,290.

Manufacturer and dealer discounts can make remaining 500e models cheaper in practice, but the Fiat is a considerably smaller city car. It also offers only 227 kilometres of estimated range, compared with 341 kilometres for the Leaf. The Nissan is therefore both less expensive by MSRP and far more practical.

The Kia EV3 is now the Leaf S’s closest direct rival. In Quebec, the front-wheel-drive EV3 Light starts at $39,298, including freight and other fees, compared with $37,966 for the Nissan. The front-wheel-drive Kia EV4 Light follows at approximately $41,298. The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt LT costs $43,425 before incentives, including applicable fees, but offers more than 400 kilometres of range. Finally, the Hyundai Kona Electric costs around $46,916 in Quebec.

Gasoline-powered alternatives remain less expensive. A Nissan Kicks, Chevrolet Trax or Hyundai Kona generally costs between approximately $27,000 and $31,000. The Leaf S can therefore carry a slight premium over an equivalent gasoline-powered crossover. The federal incentive can reduce much of that difference, while lower energy and maintenance costs could narrow it further over time.

2027 Kia EV3, Canada’s Most Affordable EV, Starts at $39,744

Another Version Is Coming

The Leaf will soon gain a close relative in the form of the 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback. Mitsubishi’s upcoming EV shares the Leaf’s platform, powertrain and much of its body, although it receives unique front and rear styling.

Canadian specifications and pricing have not yet been announced. It also remains unclear whether Mitsubishi will offer an equivalent to the smaller-battery Leaf S or concentrate on the longer-range 75-kWh configuration.

For buyers who can charge at home and do not regularly cover hundreds of highway kilometres, the Leaf S appears genuinely competitive. Its 341-kilometre range is not exceptional, but its equipment, winter preparation and sub-$35,000 MSRP address one of the Canadian EV market’s most persistent problems: affordability.

The 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV will have 454 km of Range and a 10-Year Battery Warranty