The Nissan Leaf is a decent value and has a surprisingly useful interior, but it’s past the point of needing an update. Nissan is poised to do just that in 2026, with a new Leaf that will arrive as an SUV instead of the hatchback shape it’s sported for years..
Nissan announced the new Leaf at its “Full Speed Ahead” event in Japan, showing a production-ready prototype. The shape is vaguely reminiscent of Tesla’s recent designs, and its front end borrows some elements from the recently updated Nissan Murano crossover. Nissan said that configuration delivers an impressive drag coefficient of 0.26, making it almost as aerodynamic as the Tesla Model Y.
We didn’t get many details at the event, but Nissan said the new Leaf would come with Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) built-in, and noted that it would offer a panoramic sunroof and 19-inch wheels. It also promised range, performance, and efficiency improvements over the current Leaf, which offers up to 212 miles of range.
Nissan will release more information closer to the Leaf’s U.S. debut, which is scheduled for June. The automaker said the new car would go on sale here within the next year, which can’t come soon enough for Nissan. Its hopes for a merger or outside investment aren’t completely dead, but it desperately needs new models and direction.
[Images: Nissan]
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