The Nissan LEAF is now a crossover with some pretty major upgrades. Nissan unveiled the third-gen EV, dropping the iconic hatch design for a stylish crossover. It now has significantly more range, and it even has an NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers. Here’s our first look at the new Nissan LEAF EV.
Underpinned by its new CMF-EV platform, the same one underpinning the Ariya SUV, Nissan promises the new LEAF will have “significant range improvements” over the outgoing model. It will also be available with 19″ alloy wheels and a panoramic moonroof for the first time.
One of the most exciting upgrades is that the new LEAF will be Nissan’s first EV with an integrated NACS port so you can charge up at Tesla Superchargers. This alone will make it more competitive in the US.
Nissan said more details will be shared mid-year. However, Nissan vehicle programs chief, Francois Bailly, told TopGear.com the new LEAF is expected to have 373 miles (600 km) driving range (WLTP). It will draw power from Nissan’s new 3-in-1 EV powertrain.
The new LEAF will arrive in the US and Canada later this year, joining the Ariya electric SUV. It will be one of ten new and refreshed vehicles under the Nissan and Infiniti brands.
I’m not a fan of manufacturers continually foisting larger vehicles on us. Improvements in range and charging are always welcome, but the Nissan Leaf was the perfect size for its niche (an affordable urban vehicle). Our local CarShare has a Gen2 Leaf, and I never had an issue hauling work equipment with the seats down. You can’t fit sheet plywood or lumber in there, but that was never its intended purpose.
With increases in size come increases in cost (and decreases in MPGe). The Chevy Bolt was another great pocket rocket that recently fell victim to the oversizing trend (in this case being canceled entirely to manufacture e-pickups).
We really need kei cars with tax rebates. Maximum width, length, height, and empty weight. That’ll incentivize people to get cars that actually fit into existing parking spots and should also help with road wear.
I’m with you. I don’t need a kid hauler and I don’t work construction. I have a sedan EV (Ioniq 6) but I’d be even happier with a coupe. An EV Miata would suit me right down to the ground.
100% agree with what you said. I’m sure the new Leaf is great, but I won’t buy a bigger car. I’m personally willing to compromise with the subscription lock-in bullshit, and even the current generation bullshit, but I won’t at all compromise on size, so when anybody uses terms like ‘crossover’ or ‘hybrid’, then they just lost my interest.
imagine these innovations in tech, but on a smaller car. cool, yeah? so, why isn’t this happening, then, NOW? maybe because they’re hiding something! or maybe because they’ve already compromised on something or are straight-up being dishonest about something.
From an engineering standpoint it may have something to do with battery size, but from a marketing standpoint it seems like (in America) carmakers decided bigger = better a couple decades ago and have been running with it (and charging more money for it) ever since. I miss the car-sized cars of the 80s.
I’ve been waiting for a redesign to consider it. Updating the charging port is also a huge plus. If they can do that and keep it within the range of their target budget EV class, I will seriously consider it. I doubt it’s gonna be cheap though.
The Leaf is always on my list of cars to buy. Hope they keep the price reasonable.
I have a 2015 leaf and my biggest issue is the fast charge point being ChaDeMo, with second place being the range I don’t think I can go for a brand new Leaf atm, but this is def good news.
Geh, didn’t realize it was a SUV now.
Edit 2: maybe just slightly bigger rather than being SUV… I might have to see it in person.
Yeah it looks like it’s gonna be a subcompact, not too big. Probably like the Kona EV. I prefer it just for the ground clearance and likely more roomy cabin. I just wish it competes with the Kona on pricing.
Yeah seriously, I don’t know what the fuck they were thinking with that ugly, pig nose design in the first gen Leaf. Glad Nissan came to their senses.
Isn’t Nissan on the verge of bankruptcy? I thought they were looking to come under Honda’s wing earlier this year.
That deal fell through. They are still struggling, but huge companies like that take a while to really die. The workers and engineers still show up and do stuff like design new vehicles.
It’s just interesting to me that after China comes in and wins EV of the year on their home turf, a struggling company would still try to get in there.
Is it going to cost 65k? I bet it is…
I imagine it will be the same ballpark as the Model Y. And for US markets, given the existing Trump and Biden tariffs on cheap Chinese batteries and production lines, and federal incentives likely going away, your best bet for a more affordable EV is still going to be a used car.
Colorado had a crazy rebate deal that allowed people to lease a Leaf for $20/month (after $2,400 upfront).
The $2,400 upfront is for taxes and fees… Usually you don’t actually have to pay it upfront and can instead roll it into the monthly payments, which results in a lease with no upfront payments at all ($0 drive off).
With a lease, it’s usually better to pay as little as possible upfront (ideally $0).
Nah they already have the Ariya in that segment.
Looking at the picture of the leaf, it doesn’t look like an SUV. It looks more like the Toyota Crown.
But it’s Nissan.
I have loved all my Nissans.
How fast does it charge?
Depends on your charging voltage.
