The Leaf Takes the Top Honor
Nissan may be one of the pioneers of the modern electric vehicle segment, but it has struggled to keep up amid rising competition — particularly from Chinese marques like BYD. Regardless, the Leaf was recently crowned Supreme Winner by the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY), suggesting the awarding body sees the Leaf as a strong contender in the EV race.
The Leaf — which won the Compact Car category — beat other category champions in this year’s edition, including the Škoda Elroq (Compact SUV), Mercedes-Benz CLA (Large Car), Hyundai Ioniq 9 (Large SUV), Toyota 4Runner (4×4), and Lamborghini Temerario (Exclusive Car). The Nissan EV was chosen by a panel of 86 women motoring journalists from 55 countries across five continents for its “practical approach,” offering smooth, quiet driving and outstanding efficiency, particularly in urban and suburban environments. It also earned praise for its interior space and ease of use.
Nissan
More Than Just an Award
It is worth noting that the award does not mean the Leaf is the best choice specifically for women — a sentiment the WWCOTY has long maintained. Instead, the award aims to give women a voice in a male-dominated industry. The organization handed the award during the week of International Women’s Day.
“Leaf helped bring electric driving into the mainstream, and this new generation carries that mission forward. It’s designed to make going electric easier and more enjoyable for more people around the world,” said Ivan Espinosa, Nissan president and CEO.
In the U.S., the 2026 Nissan Leaf — now in its third generation — starts at $29,990, excluding destination charges, making it one of the most affordable all-electric cars alongside the new Chevrolet Bolt EV. It offers a maximum EPA-rated range of 303 miles, with DC fast-charging capable of reaching 80 percent in about 35 minutes. Performance-wise, the EV is limited to a front-wheel-drive (FWD) setup producing 214 horsepower — not particularly exciting, but in line with the WWCOTY panel’s view of the model as a practical electric option.
Nissan considered bringing the more affordable S trim with a smaller battery, but later decided against it to better reflect consumer demand.
Competition Is Heating Up
The 2026 Leaf reportedly began U.S. sales in fall 2025. While it is unlikely to directly face affordable yet technology-packed Chinese EVs stateside anytime soon, more automakers are preparing lower-priced options, including Ford, which aims to deliver $30,000 electric trucks.
In the meantime, the Leaf has also been named one of the top three finalists for the 2026 World Car of the Year award, alongside the Hyundai Palisade and BMW iX3. The overall winner will be announced on April 1 at the New York International Auto Show.
Nissan
