# Nissan Reclaims the Crown: 2027 Leaf S Undercuts Kia EV3 in Canada

> The 2027 Nissan Leaf S reclaims the title of Canada's most affordable EV, undercutting the Kia EV3 with a CA$34,998 starting price and a 53 kWh battery.

- Canonical URL: https://coreiten.com/en/article/nissan-reclaims-the-crown-2027-leaf-s-undercuts-kia-ev3-in-canada
- Language: en
- Section: Cars News
- Author: Sami
- Published: 2026-09-14T00:02:40+03:00
- Modified: 2026-09-14T00:02:40+03:00
- Publisher: CoreITen (https://coreiten.com)
- Keywords: 2027 Nissan Leaf S, Kia EV3, Nissan Canada, Steve Rhind, NACS

## Summary

Nissan has reclaimed the title of Canada's most affordable electric vehicle by pricing the 2027 Nissan Leaf S at CA$34,998.

- The new entry-level price undercuts the rival Kia EV3 Light, which starts at CA$36,995, by nearly CA$2,000.
- Canada's Electric Vehicle Affordability Program can potentially push the effective starting price of the Leaf S below the CA$30,000 threshold.
- The base Nissan Leaf S features a 53 kWh battery offering up to 341 km of range and a 174 hp motor.
- In the United States, Nissan skips the 53 kWh battery, making the starting US model the Leaf S+ with a 75 kWh battery at $29,990.

**Why it matters:** This intense pricing battle among legacy automakers highlights their struggle to capture budget-conscious buyers before low-cost Chinese electric vehicles arrive in North America.

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Canadian EV buyers looking for the absolute lowest barrier to entry have a new champion, as the 2027 Nissan Leaf S has officially undercut the recently launched Kia EV3. By introducing a new entry-level trim starting at CA$34,998, Nissan has reclaimed the title of Canada's most affordable electric vehicle.

The pricing battle is heating up just a month after the Kia EV3 took the crown with a starting price of CA$36,995. Nissan's aggressive pricing strategy brings the Leaf S nearly CA$2,000 below its Korean rival. Furthermore, the new Leaf qualifies for Canada’s Electric Vehicle Affordability Program (EVAP), which can push the effective starting price below the CA$30,000 threshold.

> The new grade brings the lowest-priced entry point into EV ownership for Canadians.
>
>  - Steve Rhind, President, Nissan Canada

### Head-to-Head: Nissan Leaf S vs. Kia EV3 Light

When comparing the base models, buyers must weigh upfront savings against battery capacity and charging speed. The Kia EV3 Light commands a slight premium but offers a larger battery and faster charging times.

| Feature | 2027 Nissan Leaf S | 2027 Kia EV3 Light |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Starting MSRP | CA$34,998 | CA$36,995 |
| Battery Capacity | 53 kWh | 58.3 kWh |
| Range | Up to 341 km | Up to 356 km |
| Horsepower | 174 hp | 201 hp |
| 10% to 80% Charge Time | 35 minutes | 29 minutes |

Both vehicles come equipped with a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, ensuring broad compatibility with public charging networks. Inside the cabin, drivers will find dual 12.3-inch displays featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment, though the EV3 adds a dedicated 5-inch climate control screen.

### Pricing Dynamics in the US Market

South of the border, the pricing dynamic shifts slightly. The 2027 Kia EV3 Light starts at $29,890 in the United States, while Nissan has opted not to offer the smaller 53 kWh battery to American buyers. Instead, the cheapest US model is the Leaf S+ with a 75 kWh battery, starting at $29,990 and delivering up to 303 miles of range.

### The Calm Before the Chinese EV Storm

While Nissan’s aggressive pricing secures a temporary victory for the 2027 Nissan Leaf S, this price war highlights a broader vulnerability in the North American market. The CA$2,000 gap between the Leaf and the EV3 is significant for budget-conscious buyers, but both automakers are essentially fighting over a shrinking window of opportunity.

With a wave of low-cost Chinese electric vehicles preparing to enter the Canadian market, legacy brands will soon face competitors that can undercut these CA$35,000 price tags by a massive margin. Nissan's reliance on a smaller 53 kWh battery to hit this price point suggests that traditional automakers are stretching their current architectures to the limit just to remain competitive in the entry-level segment.

## Sources

- [electrek.co](https://electrek.co/2026/09/11/nissan-undercuts-kia-retake-title-canadas-most-affordable-ev/)

## Related topics

- [Kia EV3](https://coreiten.com/en/topic/kia-ev3)