The world’s first mass-volume electric car is moving from hatchback to a crossover body style for its third generation, with the next Nissan Leaf reportedly set to offer about 600km of range.
Nissan has revealed its first images of the new Leaf as part of a global product annoucement that also references the next-generation Navara ute that will be based on the Mitsubishi Triton, as well as the next Juke that will also be electric.
Details are extremely limited at this stage for a vehicle that won’t launch in Australia until 2026, though Nissan confirms the Leaf will share its architecture with the Ariya midsize electric crossover finally arriving here later this year.
2026 Nissan Leaf moves to a sleeker body style after two generations of hatchback
The UK’s Autocar reports from discussions with Nissan executives that the Leaf will provide more than 372 miles (598km) of range and has a co-efficient of drag of 0.25 thanks to its sleek new shape.
It’s likely this would be achieved from the biggest battery to be offered from two or three choices offered.
The Ariya overseas is available with a 63kWh or 87kWh battery, with the latter providing a WLTP range of up to 530km. The current Leaf offers only up to 385km of WLTP range with the biggest battery available, with an even lower 270km WLTP for the base model.
Current Nissan Leaf electric hatchback
Leaf Mk3 is reported to be slightly shorter than the current, 4.5-metre-long model.
The Nissan Leaf was first released in 2010 and became the world’s first mass-production EV, with more than 650,000 sold as of mid 2023.