“Crazy Comeback Move” — Will Nissan’s Rumored $25k EV Save the Struggling Automaker?
Nissan’s woes have been well documented over the last few years. MotorBiscuit reported back in 2020 about the steps it needed to take to reverse its fortunes. However, these strategies didn’t seem to have paid off. But will recent news of a $25,000 EV excite buyers enough to invest in the brand? A tech enthusiast who goes by Super Tech Bro sure thinks so.
The brand already offers one of the cheapest new vehicles in the US with its (sunsetting) Versa, which starts at $18,330. Early reports indicate that the Japanese automaker’s 2026 Leaf S model will come with a $25k price tag. Effectively, this would make it the most affordable EV in America.
The brand has already shown off the updated all-electric ride in promotional videos. Like this clip published to the company’s official social media pages with brand spokeswoman, actress Brie Larson:
Murmurs of its lower price point began back when the car was teased on June 17th, 2025. Popular auto influencer Forrest Jones showcased the car’s features in his own video:
But a caption appended to the post states the car “could start in the mid to low $30k range.” As it turns out, however, it seems that Nissan undercut that figure significantly.
Nissan Micra/Leaf S: 25k the Magic Number?
Some certainly think so. TikToker Super Tech Bro (@supertechbro) believes that the £25K Nissan Micra, a European EV variant, would do wonders in the EU market. He says in his clip that the whip “might be Nissan’s comeback move,” before rattling off some of its features. “It’s a compact hatchback starting at just over 25k. With up to 260 miles of range. Beating their original estimates,” he relays. These figures appear to be in line with references others have made to the Leaf S.
While there’s plenty of data surrounding the Leaf S+’s capabilities for its $31,000 price tag, much around the base S still remains a mystery. But the Micra referenced by Super Tech Bro sounds a lot like the Leaf S under a different name. And then there’s that magic “25k” number, which is astoundingly low for a brand new all-electric option.
Especially considering that Elon Musk said profiting off an electric car at this price point would be impossible. This is despite earlier ruminations from the Tesla CEO who once entertained adding an entry-level EV to the company’s lineup.
Other manufacturers are still gunning for aggressively-priced, EVs, however. The Indiana-based Slate truck previously advertised its car would sell for under $20,000. Although, the Federal EV tax credit dissolution has almost definitely jacked that figure up. Still, much of attention and fervor the Slate has garnered can indeed be attributed to its low price point.
Could a $25k EV Change the Tide for Nissan?
Fortune reports that Nissan took an eye-watering $4.5 billion loss in 2025 alone. If reports of the Micra and Leaf S’s $25k price point are true, however, this looks like the brand is implementing a global strategy to captivate the attention of buyers looking to purchase an EV without breaking the bank.
Auto manufacturers have enjoyed the ability to market the total cost of its vehicles with federal EV tax breaks. Not to mention lease deals that factor in these rebates, which immediately brings down a car buyer’s monthly car note. Now with these incentives gone, EVs that were once in shoppers price range, may be too rich for their blood. Which could potentially make a $25k Nissan Leaf S too good of a deal to pass up.
The brand’s decision to go big on the Leaf also seems to be backed by sales data as well. In spite of the brand’s market misfortunes, the EV remains a strong seller for Nissan. In 2024, Leaf purchases climbed by 187%. Forbes reports that the Leaf’s focus on accessibility is largely to thank for this widespread adoption, according to one of the automaker’s product planning directors. As of August, 2025, Nissan’s sold 700,000 Leaf vehicles. And slashing the cost of owning one will presumably only put more models on the road.
When Will the Leaf S Arrive?
The $31k Leaf S+ is slated to hit Nissan showrooms in Fall of 2025. However, its purportedly lower-cost cousin is said to be available to buyers in Spring of 2026. And then there’s the issue of actually finding one, which CarsDirect says will be a tall order for anyone trying to nab the $25,360 variant. “Shoppers looking to get into the most affordable version of the 2026 Leaf will have to wait until the spring of 2026. The majority of 2026 Nissan Leafs will arrive at dealerships this fall, but the entry-level Leaf S won’t go on sale until next year,” the outlet wrote.
Which means that EV buyers looking for the absolute cheapest new EV on the market that’s not a Nissan will need to look to Hyundai. The Korean manufacturer’s base model Kona Electric costs a whopping $7,615 more than the Leaf S. Furthermore, CarsDirect also states that due to Nissan’s financial woes, getting new Leaf EVs off the assembly line is an issue.
The website states that the brand’s cutting down production of the car “by more than 50%.” This is a direct result of “supply chain and battery issues,” according to the publication. Which translates to about 500 units every month.
MotorBiscuit has reached out to Nissan via email for further information on the Leaf S.
