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Nissan Leaf's Comeback: Car of the Year Win
22 Nov
Summary
- The 2026 Nissan Leaf won the Buzz Awards 'Car of the Year'.
- Production moved to Japan after slow US market demand.
- Leaf offers 303 miles range and 35-minute fast charging.
The 2026 Nissan Leaf has been honored as the Buzz Awards "Car of the Year," a significant achievement for the Japanese automaker. This award comes after Nissan shifted production of the new generation Leaf from its Smyrna, Tennessee plant to Tochigi, Japan, in November 2025. This strategic move was prompted by a desire to "build where we sell" and a recognition that the U.S. market, while important, did not fully justify domestic production for the model's next iteration.
The Buzz Awards judges praised the Leaf for its "impressive packaging and evocative styling," along with excellent "drivability, range, and charging characteristics." In addition to the top "Car of the Year" honor, the Leaf also secured "Best EV" and "Best Budget Model Vehicle" titles. These accolades highlight the vehicle's strong performance and value proposition in the increasingly competitive electric vehicle segment.
With a starting Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $29,990, the Leaf stands as the most affordable new EV available in the U.S. It boasts an impressive range of up to 303 miles on a single charge and can achieve an 80% charge in approximately 35 minutes, further enhancing its appeal to budget-conscious and range-anxious consumers.
