Nissan unveils the third-generation Leaf EV

Nissan its third-generation Leaf EV with a totally new design. The 2026 mannequin sheds the final vestiges of its authentic compact automotive physique and leans totally into crossover SUV territory. The brand new look affords some design options which are generally seen within the all-electric car market, permitting it to compete in opposition to different fashions in its class. These embody accessible twin 14.3-inch shows, flush door handles for higher aerodynamics, and liquid-cooled lithium-ion batteries.

The brand new Leaf can be the newest EV to undertake the after in 2022. Since then, nearly each main automaker from to has adopted the usual, with these manufacturers gaining access to Tesla’s Supercharger community on a rolling foundation. For added comfort, a J1772 port, the commonest commonplace for Degree 2 chargers, is included on the motive force’s-side fender. The Leaf’s highlights bi-directional know-how that enables drivers to energy their houses, ship energy to the grid, or present energy when tenting, although particulars are sparse.

In the identical video, Nissan’s head of world design, Alfonso Albaisa, explains the lengths the corporate went to in making the automotive as aerodynamic as potential to be able to obtain the automotive’s said 300-mile vary. The rear door handles, as an illustration, are constructed into the C-pillar, which may make for a clumsy angle when attempting to open the door together with your fingers full. The physique of the Leaf has a chunky, SUV-like stance, with a large entrance paying homage to the ID.4. In the long run, all these design selections helped the brand new Leaf scale back its drag coefficient by 10 % from the earlier era.

Nissan can be bringing the brand new Leaf’s battery thermal administration to , which can . The automotive will seize wasted warmth from the drive motor and the on-board charger, and use it to assist heat the battery to its very best temperature for charging. In frigid circumstances it could additionally use the automotive’s warmth pump, and a devoted battery heater to additional preserve battery temperatures.

Design easter eggs all through the automotive pay homage to the model’s identify by incorporating “2-3” iconography within the type of stripes, which are supposed to symbolize the kanji writing of two and three in Japanese, pronounced “ni” and “san.”

The brand new Leaf is constructed on a 75-kWh, liquid-cooled battery pack and packs a 214-horsepower electrical motor. It will likely be supplied in all kinds of colour choices together with a slew of optionally available options like 19-inch wheels, dimming panoramic roof and 64-color ambient lighting. Constructed-in Google integrating Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Play Retailer into the Leaf can be an accessible possibility. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto shall be commonplace on the Leaf S and S+. Nissan a less expensive 52-kWh model with a 174-horsepower motor will develop into accessible at a later date.

This main redesign comes amid a turbulent final 12 months for Nissan, culminating in its after a . The automaker had beforehand final 12 months as a part of its mission to chop billions of {dollars} in prices.

The 2026 Nissan Leaf will hit showrooms this fall, although pricing has but to be introduced.