Starting at under $30,000, the 2026 Leaf is a comfortable and efficient electric vehicle with a range exceeding 300 miles. by Michael Gauthier PROS ›› Comfortable ride, 303-mile range, base price of $29,990 CONS ›› Cramped second row, peculiar charging features, only available as FWD The removal of the clean vehicle tax incentive in the U.S. is anticipated to hinder electric vehicle uptake, yet newcomers continue to emerge. Among them is the reimagined Nissan Leaf, which appears well-suited for this new era without credits. When it hits dealerships in the upcoming weeks, priced from $29,990, it will be the most affordable electric vehicle available in the U.S. A less expensive model is also rumored to be in development, potentially starting at $25,360. Additionally, Nissan has hinted at producing a Leaf NISMO if there’s sufficient demand. In both instances, the 2026 Leaf remains significantly below Tesla’s entry-level models, the larger Model 3 and Model Y Standard, which compromise on many features to meet their price points of $36,990 and $39,990 respectively. However, compared to those models, the Leaf offers far more than just a budget-friendly EV. It’s comfortable, quiet, and surprisingly fast, benefiting from experiences learned from its last two generations, providing it an advantage over numerous competitors. QUICK FACTS *Manufacturer A Crossover-Inspired Design When the original Leaf debuted in 2010, it presented as an unconventional hatchback. The second generation, released seven years later, featured a more traditional design, though it arrived at an unfortunate time as crossovers began to dominate sales. The trend has continued to grow, making the transformation of the third-generation Leaf into a crossover quite predictable. This change was a smart move, as the model appears upscale, incorporating premium features such as flush door handles and a dimming panoramic glass roof. This roof feature, typically found on high-end vehicles like the Cadillac Celestiq and McLaren 750S Spider, is standard on the $38,990 Leaf Platinum+. While not the most extravagant option on the market, it seamlessly transitions from clear to opaque at the touch of a button, mimicking a classic sunshade. The dimming roof serves as a cool and practical feature, enhancing aerodynamics and headroom compared to a conventional moonroof, while also providing better insulation against heat and cold, boosting efficiency. The 2026 Leaf showcases a sleek front with LED headlights connected by a slim illuminated strip, accentuating the crossover’s width, which has increased by 0.8 inches (20 mm). Conversely, many other dimensions have decreased: the crossover is 3 inches (76 mm) shorter, with a 0.4-inch (10 mm) reduction in wheelbase, and the height has also lowered by 0.4 inches (10 mm), indicating the old hatchback was taller than the new crossover. Notably, ground clearance has reduced from 5.9 inches (150 mm) to 5.3 inches (135 mm). This is surprising, and the design team deserves credit for creating a model that appears more robust and capable than it actually is. The Leaf employs soft curves and fluid surfaces, accompanied by concealed rear door handles and a prominent spoiler, which collectively help reduce the drag coefficient from 0.29 to 0.26. Additional highlights include 18- or 19-inch wheels and an optional motion-activated power liftgate. The model also offers an attractive two-tone paint job, along with 3D holographic taillights featuring a “2-3” emblem, pronounced as “ni-san” in Japanese. A Comfortable, Yet Constricted Interior Nissan’s ambition to offer a ‘class above’ experience in the latest Leaf is evident inside, as the cabin exudes a surprisingly upscale feel. This is particularly true for our top-tier Platinum+ model, which includes dual 14.3-inch screens and a bright heads-up display. The front is outfitted with heated Zero Gravity seats covered in TailorFit upholstery, claimed by Nissan to be softer than normal leather while also being more durable and eco-friendly as it consists of 65% recycled materials. The front seats are well-padded, featuring a unique pattern that enhances the interior. They also offer power adjustments and lumbar support for optimal comfort. Regrettably, the rear seating area is less impressive, as the legroom felt cramped for this 6’2” reviewer, with only 31.8 inches (808 mm) available. However, headroom is ample, and the rear seats come equipped with heating, two USB-C charging ports, and air vents. In terms of cargo capacity, the Leaf provides 20 cubic feet (566 liters) behind the second row, expandable to 55.5 cubic feet (1,572 liters) by folding down

      Bradley Cooper’s *Is This Thing On?* begins with a question that is both straightforward and deeply complex: is this relationship finished? Alex and Tess Novak (Will Arnett and Laura Dern) find themselves at a breaking point after years of marriage. They care for their wild sons, but that doesn't compensate for the fact that they despise their life together. So the conclusion is clear: yes, it’s over. However, the process is far from simple.

      After consuming a large marijuana cookie that Tess took from a party, the couple inadvertently gets separated, with Alex stranded on a train platform while Tess joyfully rides away, completely engrossed in their shared high. Alex stumbles into a comedy club where he can avoid the $15 cover charge only by performing at the open-mic night. Serendipitously, these events provide a fantastic outlet for emotionally repressed fathers to voice their feelings, particularly when they come across the most forgiving audiences imaginable, a detail that Cooper could have toned down for a more realistic effect.

      As Tess explores the possibility of coaching the U.S. Olympic Volleyball team and goes on dates with personalities like Peyton Manning to envision her new life as a coach, Alex becomes infatuated with stand-up comedy but keeps it a secret. He quickly gains acceptance in the comedic community, adored by everyone he encounters, especially by the venue manager (longtime friend, collaborator, and Princess Carolyn, Amy Sedaris), as well as by the audiences. Given the notorious challenges associated with breaking into stand-up comedy––coupled with Alex's unrefined and unhumorous routines––this overly optimistic portrayal of the scene elicits a lengthy eye roll. Yet, if one can overlook some of Cooper’s more cringe-inducing directorial choices, a charming film emerges that genuinely seeks to alleviate loneliness for its viewers.

      Alex’s wandering comedy bits resemble a therapeutic exchange more than a performance. He delivers an occasional punchline as if in casual conversation, but mainly he shares stories about his divorce, clumsily recounting experiences with his ex-wife, living alone, sleeping with new partners for the first time, and other relatable breakup themes. In *Is This Thing On?*, this kind of storytelling seems to be the hottest trend. As Alex rises in prominence at New York's renowned Comedy Cellar, he and Tess redefine their lives (often still together) and openly contemplate their futures without shouting.

      Film history is rich with depictions of divorce and marital conflict––*Scenes from a Marriage*, *Revolutionary Road*, *Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?*, and *Marriage Story* are all examples. Much like boxing films, this subgenre is filled with dramatic, knock-down battles that leave both sides weary, battered, and grappling with existential crises. The *War of the Roses* and its recent remake represent a rarer cinematic niche that turns the painful experience of divorce into comedy.

      While not quite on the level of *Roses* and far from *Scenes*, Cooper adopts a lightly comedic yet slightly dramatic mumblecore style for this film, akin to *Marriage Story* but lacking the fights or the characteristic flow of Baumbach. However, Cooper establishes his own unique rhythm, which stands as one of the film's greatest strengths. During moments of quiet, the film often fades to black as if concluding a chapter, only to reopen in silence at a different point, with the quiet transitions occurring both abruptly and gently. Sometimes we re-emerge minutes later; other times, it’s weeks later, skipping over significant events that we had anticipated. Time flows in unexpected ways.

      The actor-producer-writer-director (who co-wrote the screenplay with Mark Chappell and his real-life best friend Arnett) has directed three films to date. Credit goes to Cooper for making each film distinct. However, none have reached greatness. They all contain memorable moments and impressive aspects, yet his approach is often timid and safe, preventing any standout achievements. This is especially evident in the stark, uninspired handheld camerawork which feels more reminiscent of an inauspicious Sundance film than what Cooper has previously accomplished.

      Despite this, there has been a tenderness in each of Cooper’s undertakings. Similar to the dimwitted western-bohemian (unsuccessful) character he portrays in *Is This Thing On?*, the first of his films not led by him, there’s an infectious charm that significantly mitigates the negative impact of his overindulgent tendencies. For example, a long take where friends beautifully sing “Amazing Grace” around a breakfast table serves simply to enchant. Like *A Star Is Born* and *Maestro*, *Is This Thing On?* fluctuates between scenes that feel painfully out of touch and others that are so powerful they lift the whole film from its low points.

      The comedy ultimately proves to be hilarious, but aside from a few stand-up montages, it doesn’t derive primarily from the