2026 Nissan LEAF Named Car of the Year, Best EV, & Best Budget Vehicle in 1st-Ever Buzz Awards - CleanTechnica

The all-new 2026 Nissan LEAF has achieved significant recognition by winning three major honors in the inaugural Buzz Awards, presented by CarBuzz, HotCars, and TopSpeed. It was named “Car of the Year,” “Best EV,” and “Best Budget Vehicle” for 2026, based on evaluations from over 20 professional reviewers across leading automotive publications. The awards highlight the LEAF’s combination of electric innovation, value, performance, and safety, making it a standout choice for everyday drivers. Key factors contributing to the LEAF’s success include its accessible starting price of $29,990 for the S+ grade—the lowest MSRP for any new EV currently available in the U.S.—and its practical range of up to 303 miles on a single charge. The vehicle also supports fast charging, reaching 10% to 80% battery in just 35 minutes using NACS-compatible DC fast chargers. The 2026 LEAF is praised for its affordability, reliability, intuitive technology