Next-generation Nissan Leaf to become an electric SUV – report

Nissan’s third-generation Leaf electric car will reportedly become an electric coupe-style SUV from 2026, ending the model’s nearly decade-and-a-half run as a battery-powered hatchback.

The Leaf was one of the pioneering mass-market electric-cars, but has since slipped down the sales charts due to its relatively short driving range and a large push from Chinese and South Korean brands.

Industry journal Automotive News reports Nissan dealers in the US were told by the Japanese car-maker’s executives that the Leaf could adopt a design similar to the larger Ariya SUV, rather than its traditional hatchback shape.

While no photos were provided to dealers, Nissan’s ‘Chill-Out’ concept from 2021 could be a preview of what to expect from the new Leaf, as its sloping back window and increased ride height fit the brief from the recent presentation.

According to its sources, Automotive News claims the new-generation Nissan Leaf could offer up to 25 percent more driving range than the current electric car – which has a claimed driving range of 270km to 385km, depending on battery capacity.

As reported by UK publication Autocar in May 2023, the next-generation Leaf is expected to enter production at Nissan’s Sunderland factory from 2026, according to government documents.

Automotive News reports Nissan dealers were informed about an additional two electric models which are expected to join its model line-up before the end of the decade.

The first model will be a performance sedan, while the second is expected to be another SUV – utilising the CMF-EV electric-car platform which underpins the Nissan Ariya and Renault Megane E-Tech Electric.

In March 2023, Nissan claimed its electric cars will achieve ‘price parity’ with petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 – despite there currently being a disparity of approximately 50 percent between its battery-powered and traditional engine models.