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 absolutely into crossover SUV territory. The brand new look gives some design options which might be generally seen within the all-electric automobile market, permitting it to compete in opposition to different fashions in its class. These embody obtainable twin 14.3-inch shows, flush door handles for higher aerodynamics, and liquid-cooled lithium-ion batteries.
The brand new Leaf can be the most recent EV to undertake the after in 2022. Since then, nearly each main automaker from to has adopted the usual, with these manufacturers having access to Tesla’s Supercharger community on a rolling foundation. For added comfort, a J1772 port, the commonest customary for Stage 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 properties, ship energy to the grid, or present energy when tenting, although particulars are sparse.
In the identical video, Nissan’s head of worldwide design, Alfonso Albaisa, explains the lengths the corporate went to in making the automotive as aerodynamic as doable with a purpose to obtain the automotive’s said 300-mile vary. The rear door handles, as an example, are constructed into the C-pillar, which might make for a clumsy angle when attempting to open the door together with your arms full. The physique of the Leaf has a chunky, SUV-like stance, with a large entrance harking back to the ID.4. In the long run, all these design selections helped the brand new Leaf cut back its drag coefficient by 10 p.c from the earlier technology.
Nissan can be bringing the brand new Leaf’s battery thermal administration to , which is able to . 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 supreme temperature for charging. In frigid circumstances it will possibly additionally use the automotive’s warmth pump, and a devoted battery heater to additional keep 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 is going to be provided in all kinds of colour choices together with a slew of non-compulsory 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 obtainable choice. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will probably be customary on the Leaf S and S+. Nissan a less expensive 52-kWh model with a 174-horsepower motor will grow to be obtainable at a later date.
This main redesign comes amid a turbulent final yr for Nissan, culminating in its after a . The automaker had beforehand final yr 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.
