Nissan's Upcoming Leaf Evolution: From Electric Car to SUV

Home > Industry Analysis > Content

【Summary】The Nissan Leaf, a pioneer in the mass-market electric car industry, will transition from a hatchback to an SUV design starting in 2026. This decision comes as the Leaf faces competition from Chinese and South Korean brands in terms of driving range, charging speed, and technology. The new Leaf is expected to offer up to 25% more driving range than the current model.

FutureCar Staff Aug 30, 2023 9:27 AM PT

Nissan's Upcoming Leaf Evolution: From Electric Car to SUV

The Nissan Leaf, known for being a pioneer in the mass-market electric car segment, is set to undergo a major transformation. According to reports, starting from 2026, the Leaf will no longer feature its familiar hatchback design but will instead be reimagined as an SUV.

The upcoming third-generation Leaf electric car is said to be adopting a coupe-style SUV design, marking the end of its nearly fifteen-year reign as a battery-powered hatchback. The Leaf, which was once at the forefront of mass-market electric cars, has seen a decline in sales due to strong competition from Chinese and South Korean brands that offer better driving range, charging speed, and technology.

In the US, Nissan dealers were informed by the automaker's executives that the new Leaf could resemble the larger Ariya SUV in terms of design, departing from its traditional hatchback shape. Although no images were provided, it is possible that the 'Chill-Out' concept showcased by Nissan in 2021 could offer a glimpse of what to expect from the new Leaf. The concept featured a sloping back window and increased ride height, aligning with the recent presentation.

According to Automotive News, the next-generation Nissan Leaf is rumored to offer up to 25 percent more driving range compared to the current model, which boasts a claimed range of 270km to 385km depending on the battery capacity. This potential increase in range could help the Leaf compete more effectively in the electric car market.

Government documents suggest that production of the next-generation Leaf is expected to commence at Nissan's Sunderland factory in 2026, as reported by UK publication Autocar in May 2023. Furthermore, Nissan dealers were informed about two additional electric models that are slated to join the lineup before the end of the decade. One of these models will be a performance sedan, while the other is expected to be an SUV utilizing the CMF-EV electric-car platform.

Nissan has ambitious plans for its electric vehicle lineup, aiming to launch a total of 15 electric cars by 2030, in addition to eight new hybrid models. The company has also stated its intention to achieve 'price parity' between its electric cars and traditional petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030, despite the current price difference of approximately 50 percent.

Jordan Mulach, a native of Canberra/Ngunnawal and currently residing in Brisbane/Turrbal, joined the Drive team in 2022. With previous experience at Auto Action, MotorsportM8, The Supercars Collective, TouringCarTimes, WhichCar, Wheels, Motor, and Street Machine, Jordan is well-versed in the automotive industry. He describes himself as an iRacing addict and can often be found behind the wheel of his Octavia RS or passionately discussing his ZH Fairlane.