Nissan undercuts Kia to retake the crown as Canada’s most affordable EV — SkimNews
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- Nissan Leaf S launches at CA$34,998 (CA$37,966 all-in), undercutting the Kia EV3 by nearly CA$2,000 and reclaiming Canada's cheapest EV crown just one month after Kia took it.
- The Leaf S qualifies for Canada's Electric Vehicle Affordability Program (EVAP), pulling the effective starting price below CA$30,000.
- Entry-level Leaf S uses a 53 kWh battery with a 174-hp motor delivering up to 341 km of range; higher S+ trims upgrade to a 75 kWh battery, 214 hp, and 488 km.
- The Kia EV3 Light, by comparison, pairs a 58.3 kWh battery with up to 356 km of range and starts at CA$36,995, while larger 81.4 kWh trims reach 517 km.
- Both vehicles use the NACS charge port, with the Leaf recharging 10–80% in about 35 minutes versus 29 minutes for the EV3's smaller battery.
- In the U.S., the Kia EV3 Light starts at $29,890 and the cheapest available Nissan Leaf S+ at $29,990, but the Leaf S trim is not sold stateside.
- Nissan Canada president Steve Rhind called the new grade "the lowest-priced entry point into EV ownership for Canadians," while the article warns Chinese EVs arriving soon could soon overtake the Leaf's price lead.
Why it matters: Canadian EV shoppers now have a sub-CA$30,000 path into EV ownership after the EVAP incentive, undercutting the Kia EV3 by roughly CA$2,000 before subsidies. The savings tilt toward Canadian consumers specifically, since the Leaf S trim is not even sold in the U.S. With Chinese EVs expected to enter the Canadian market shortly, Nisson's sub-CA$35K crown is likely short-lived — making the current price gap a narrow window for budget buyers.
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