After a dull sophomore effort, the pioneering Nissan Leaf has made a comeback as a sleek crossover!
The new 2026 Nissan Leaf electric car has made its official debut after an initial unveiling in March, launching with a new fastback silhouette set on a jacked-up ride height (yeah it’s an SUV), and a long-coming massive leap forward in technology.
TLDR
The Leaf transforms from a familiar hatch into a modern crossover.
More range: Two new battery options will be offered, with the larger 75kWh unit promising a range of up to 604km.
Coming to Oz: A local launch is set for 2026, but for how much 💰?
Nissan says the new third-generation Leaf’s design is guided by a concept it calls ‘Timeless Japanese Futurism’.
There’s a clear influence here from Nissan’s bigger EV, the mid-sized Ariya SUV, and we can likely expect that model to debut a Leaf-inspired facelift in the near future.
Specifically, the new Leaf’s front and rear styling are borrowed from the 2021 Chill Out concept, featuring more production-friendly versions of the show car’s huge hooked headlights and Z-inspired tail lamps.
Tell us in the comments: Which do you prefer the look of, the Ariya or the new Leaf?
High-spec models will also see those front-end hook lights connected by a light bar and a glowing version of the Nissan badge. That’s a pretty common design trend in EVs right now, but to Nissan’s credit, it appears well executed in these images.
I dig the new Leaf’s look overall, especially with the somewhat retro-futuristic look of the tail lamps and those very rad wheels.
I’d prefer it if they hadn’t moved to the same ‘sleek SUV’ approach favoured by so many brands now, but they all insist that’s what the market wants – so what can ya do?
👇 What if… what if we lowered it?
Here’s a quick photochop!
Moving on…
Inside the new 2026 Nissan Leaf
Inside, where the second-gen Leaf copied and pasted much of the first model’s surfaces and controls, the new third-gen gets a significantly more modern fitout.
The Ariya’s influence is again clear here, but the newer Leaf pushes the formula forward with a choice if twin 12.3 or 14.3-inch displays, and a standalone air-con and gear selector unit beneath the main plinth.
Gear selection is a more simplified affair in the Leaf, using a simple row of buttons in the dash rather than a shifter-style controller between the front seats – a move that has freed up significant space in the centre console for cup holders and phone chargers.
Power and range
There are two battery options on offer, the entry unit being a 52kWh system paired with a 130kW, 345Nm motor at the front wheels.
The higher spec is a 75kWh system with a 160kW/355Nm motor.
Both are front-wheel drive, and I’d say we’re unlikely to see an all-wheel-drive option anytime soon – although a Nismo version might change that… (Hey, Nismo, see my concept above!)
Local specs haven’t been confirmed yet, but Nissan’s US arm claims a maximum driving range of up to 604 kilometres for the bigger battery unit.
By comparison, the updated Polestar 2 has a 78kWh usable (82kWh total) battery pack, and claims a range of up to 655km.
How does the previous model compare?
The standard version of the second-generation Leaf was powered by a 110kW/320Nm motor with a 39kWh batterypack, with a WLTP driving , offering a WLTP driving range of 270km.
The e+ model was more competitive with modern EVs, with a 160kW/340Nm motor, a 62kWh battery, and a driving range of 385km.
As with just about all new EVs over there, North American Leaf models will use the NACS charging port – basically Tesla’s port, which is now a standard for that market.
All other markets will see it delivered with the familiar CCS port, replacing the older and very Japan-focused ChaDeMo design of the first two models.
The plug is now also repositioned to the front right quarter panel, away from the centre of the grille where it sat on the first two generations.
Nissan claims a fast charge, measured from 10 to 80 per cent, will be completed in “as little as 35 minutes”.
For some markets, likely including Australia, the new Leaf will feature two 120V outlets in the cabin and cargo area, capable of a combined 1500W output for powering external devices.
2026 Nissan Leaf: Equipment highlights
Beyond the headline figures, Nissan has detailed a number of other features for the new Leaf:
- Smarter battery management: The liquid-cooled battery packs feature an advanced thermal management system that can use a planned navigation route to pre-cool the battery for a fast-charging stop, or harvest heat from the onboard charger to warm it in cold weather.
- Refined ride: Nissan claims a 75% reduction in motor vibration compared to the outgoing model.
- Immersive audio: An optional Bose audio system will be offered, featuring speakers integrated into the front headrests.
- Dimming panoramic roof: A new panoramic roof uses Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) technology to switch from clear to opaque at the touch of a button.
- V2X capabilities: Along with the internal power outlets, an external V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) adapter will be available. V2H (Vehicle-to-Home) is confirmed for Japan, and V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) capability is planned for Europe.
The new Leaf will be assembled at Nissan’s plants in Tochigi, Japan, and Sunderland in the UK – the latter being Australia’s usual source.
2026 Nissan Leaf: Australian details
Details specific to the Australian market haven’t been confirmed yet, but a local launch is confirmed for sometime in 2026.
As for pricing, I can only speculate for now, but the position of current rival models suggest a starting point about $50,000 before on-road costs.
For context, that’s a little more than the entry-level form of the previous model, while the more appealing e+ variant kicked off from a sniff below $61K.
Watch for more on the new Leaf to come in the months ahead!
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