Nissan Leaf's Successor to Transform into Electric SUV

Home > Industry Analysis > Content

【Summary】The Nissan Leaf, a pioneer for mass-market electric cars, will transition from a hatchback design to an SUV starting in 2026. The move comes as Chinese and South Korean brands have surpassed the Leaf in driving range, charging speed, and technology. The new Leaf is expected to offer up to 25% more driving range than the current model and may resemble the larger Ariya SUV. Nissan also plans to introduce two additional electric models before the end of the decade.

FutureCar Staff Aug 28, 2023 11:28 PM PT

Nissan Leaf's Successor to Transform into Electric SUV

The Nissan Leaf, known for being a pioneer in mass-market electric cars, is set to undergo a significant design change. According to reports, the third-generation Leaf will transition from its familiar hatchback design to become an electric coupe-style SUV starting in 2026.

Over the years, the Nissan Leaf has faced increased competition from Chinese and South Korean brands in terms of driving range, charging speed, and technology. This has led to a decline in its sales performance.

According to Automotive News, Nissan executives have informed US dealers that the new Leaf could adopt a design similar to the larger Ariya SUV, deviating from its traditional hatchback shape. While no photos were provided, the recent 'Chill-Out' concept by Nissan could potentially give a glimpse of what to expect from the new Leaf, with its sloping back window and increased ride height.

Reports suggest that the next-generation Nissan Leaf could offer up to 25 percent more driving range compared to the current model, which has a claimed driving range of 270km to 385km, depending on the battery capacity.

According to government documents, production of the next-generation Leaf is expected to begin at Nissan's Sunderland factory in 2026. Additionally, Nissan dealers were informed about two more electric models that will join the lineup before the end of the decade. One model will be a performance sedan, while the other is expected to be another SUV, both utilizing the CMF-EV electric-car platform.

Nissan has ambitious plans for its electric vehicle lineup, aiming to launch 15 electric cars and eight new hybrid models by 2030. The company also aims to achieve 'price parity' between its electric and traditional engine models by 2030.

Jordan Mulach, a Canberra/Ngunnawal native currently residing in Brisbane/Turrbal, joined the Drive team in 2022. With a background in automotive journalism, Jordan has worked for various publications and is an avid iRacing enthusiast.