Nissan really fumbled its electric vehicle lead. It was arguably the first automaker to launch a modern high-volume electric car in the U.S., and while the first-generation Leaf was competitive with early efforts, it seemed like Nissan rested on its laurels for more than a decade. Now though, there’s a new third-generation Leaf, and it’s ditched its hatchback form to be a properly modern-looking electric crossover.
Although the original Leaf was a pioneer, it definitely had some problems. Early battery chemistry combined with air cooling led to serious battery degradation, and when it came time to build a second-generation for the 2018 model year, Nissan didn’t substantially redevelop the concept. The base second-generation car still had an air-cooled battery pack when everyone else moved to liquid active thermal management, and all second-generation models featured a CHAdeMO DC fast charging port when pretty much every other automaker had moved on to CCS. The result was a car with seriously limited fast charging and extreme weather performance, and it’s stayed on sale for seven years with few alterations while competitors passed it by.
Well, that’s about to change. Say hello to the new Nissan Leaf, one that’s looking like a serious case of “Honey, I shrunk the Ariya.” It’s now a small electric crossover, complete with cladding, and rides on the same CMF-EV platform found underneath the larger Ariya electric crossover (CMF-EV is liquid-cooled battery native, so I’d be surprised if Nissan went with air, especially with a NACS connector that can support more than 50 kW DCFC). However, don’t be worried about bloat, because Top Gear reports that the new Leaf is actually 5.9 inches shorter than the current model, which should make it even easier to parallel park.
As for the look of the new Leaf, I reckon the rotund theme works here, as the Leaf has always been a non-threatening car. It has a history of visual honesty, and this new one is eshewing any faux off-road chops it can’t back up. The surfacing seems clean, the wheels look novel, and I’m excited to see robin’s egg blue making a comeback. Sure, I’m a bit concerned that the slope of the rear window might affect the capacity to carry bulky items, but without a clear look at the cargo area, I’ll let that sleeping dog lie for now.
While details on specifications and equipment are sparse right now, Nissan has said that the new Leaf will be available with 19-inch alloy wheels, which seem about normal for the segment, along with a panoramic moonroof. Crucially, the new car gets a NACS port instead of the old CHAdeMO DC fast charging port. This is incredibly important because although people might not want to use Tesla’s charging network for a variety of reasons, it likely means we’re about to get a Leaf that can DC fast charge at more than a piddling 50 kW.
Although we still don’t know anything about battery sizing and range for the U.S. market, expect to learn a lot more sometime in the middle of the year. With a market debut scheduled before the end of fiscal year 2025 alongside a new Rogue plug-in hybrid, a new Sentra, an updated Pathfinder, I wouldn’t be surprised if the third-generation Leaf hits showrooms sooner than we might expect.
Top graphic credit: Nissan
Support our mission of championing car culture by becoming an Official Autopian Member.
-
The Cheapest EV In America Is An $18,000 Hatchback That’s Going Out Of Style
-
Researchers Figured Out How To Run A Nissan Leaf On Rum, Seaweed, And Sheep Poop
-
Why You Can Lease a Brand New Nissan Leaf For $20 A Month If You Live In Colorado
-
Selling A Broken Electric Car With Only 30 Miles Of Range Was Truly Miserable
-
The First-Generation Nissan Leaf Was One Cooling System Away From Greatness
Please send tips about cool car things to tips@theautopian.com. You could even win a prize!
What, no carbon on the valves reference?
That’s a very nice color, I have a guitar in that color.
Despite my disdain towards Nissan, it looks like they did a nice job on the styling. Glad this exists.
“…NACS connector that can support more than 50 kW DCFC.” – Are we at the point in EVs where EV-common and specific abbreviations don’t need to be defined? It seems like we’re still early in the VHS/Betamax days of EVs where VHS just started to win. Probably not a great way to provide the explanation in every article though…
Maybe I’ve just been doing too much technical report editing over the last two days…
Thank you.
So they fixed almost everything wrong with the previous Leaf? If this is at a competitive price like the last leaf, it’s definitely a great contender for a nice commuter car
Could they just square off the back, for more cargo space and and better sightlines out the back?
They could, but it’s less aerodynamic and as such gets worse range so they won’t.
Yeah, it makes a big difference in range when the use case is mostly 25-40 MPH stop and go traffic. Everybody is cruising the Autobahn…
It makes a difference in the number on the sheet which everyone is overly obsessed with.
You mean just like how everybody with an SUV/CUV is carrying big blocky cargo that won’t fit beneath a sloped roof?
I’m willing to bet people take road trips utilizing highways more often than they max-out the cargo area. Hell, look at Matt’s Lyriq reviews: road trip in which range was far more of a concern than cargo space. And the Lyric has a very drastic slope to the rear-window.
We had a gen1 Leaf we traded in for a brand new at the time 2018 gen 2, getting only $1500 less than we paid for the gen1 on the trade in, incredibly.
We still have the gen2, and it’s been bulletproof. We still get the full 150mile rated range out of it despite not doing anything special, and it hasn’t had a single issue. There’s been a couple optional recalls over the years we’ve had done just because, but none were drivetrain related.
Is it a phenomenal car? Absolutely not, but it was cheap to buy, it’s been cheap to maintain, and it just humbly does its thing (basically the wife’s commuter car) without a fuss.
The biggest fault I can find probably is it’s absolutely useless in any kind of snow. Traction control kicks in far too early, and even with that turned off, it can’t seem to find grip despite having snow tires. Not sure why that is considering our other FWD cars were fine, but she said her next car must have AWD.
My AWD Mach-E is the best snow vehicle I’ve ever driven (assuming the snow hasn’t exceeded the limited ground clearance), besting even my Jeep and Subarus in traction on snow and ice (again, up until the ground clearance limiting factor).
My guess is it being due to the weight distribution being closer to the center of the car vs. being biased towards the front when an ICE is installed.
Lucky, my 2018 Leaf is down to 120mi range (LeafSpy reports a shade under 80%, and the car reports one bar down). I do charge to 100% though.
It’s been mostly reliable, outside of an issue with the front bearings that were covered under warranty. There is one battery recall though for the Gen 2 Leaf, but my car isn’t part of it.
I’m currently getting a NISMO 2-Way Helical Limited Slip Differential installed in my new 25 S (40kWh) and have been posting about it in the Discord. While it will be a while till we get snow here again most likely next time we get snow I’ll be letting everyone know via the electri-city section of the Discord and probably will mention it in the comments section on the website when relevant.
I paid about $2300 for the LSD so if it actually works (it’s a JDM market part) it may be worth looking into.
Yay finally a sunroof and cooling for the battery 😀
If the battery cooling system entered the 21st century and the price is right, heck yeah. Cheap commuter / second cars don’t need 300 miles of range.
I’d like to own a modern equivalent of what will be a Studebaker.
Say what you will about the 1G Leaf’s antique architecture, but in my experience it has been an absolutely bulletproof car.
I bought mine as a 0% financed, 2 year old off-lease CPO in 2015, strictly as a commuting appliance. Nissan was practically giving them away back then. In about 4 years, it paid for itself just in gas savings. I could have pushed it off a cliff in 2019 and still broken even, but why? In 10 years of ownership it has had about 5 routine service visits at $150 each, and a single functional issue, which was covered under warranty. For the last 5 years, it has not had a single bit of service. It’s remarkably solid-feeling, free of NVH, and surprisingly nimble. After 80K it’s still on its original brakes, only halfway worn!
Sure, the range is down to 40 miles and it looks like a clown clog, but we use it for quick urban errands and as a loaner to friends. Way better car than it needed to be.
I have a ’15 with 39K miles, 80 miles of range still! paid 4K. it absolutely rules for a city errand car,
These old Leafs with no range left would make great candidates for an EV swap! Wait, what?
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah looks decent. If they can capture the “cheap and cheerful” EV market that will be a good thing for Nissan. Pricing is going to be so important – it needs to be right there with the Equinox EV if not cheaper.
If this article is correct this car will be a lot smaller than the Equinox EV, so yep – needs to be cheaper. The Leaf is made in Tennessee while the Equinox EV is made in Mexico, so it could end up having a tariff advantage too.
I hope they finally turn over a new Leaf with range and battery longevity. It sounds like they should with the new architecture. I’ve always been fond of the Leaf. They are palatably different, kinda like wearing fun socks with dress pants.
The Leaf already sat taller than your average car, roughly between a Sentra/Altima and a Kicks, so seems like it’ll be more of a styling exercise than a fundamentally different vehicle in that regard. Like the Spark Activ or the cladding on the later Prius c.
Shrinking it in length is interesting though. That puts it close to say, the Kia EV3 in dimensions, but not so much with the faster roofline. Actually, similar to the Citroën C4 in size and shape.
I leased a 2013 and then a 2016 Leaf. We have a relative with MS, and at the time it was pretty easy for her to get in and out of the Leaf. The back seats were slightly higher than the front, a little like stadium seating. My 2016 was rear ended hard or else I would have considered keeping it. The 2nd gen was more expensive, not as quirky… but I liked a lot about those cars.
I already miss the weirdness of the 1st gen Leaf. It ain’t pretty, but it’s distinctive and it has some visual references to the Cherry (at least that’s what I see). It’s not a freakin’ lifestyle vehicle, SUV/crossover or whatever, just a (almost) sensible and practical hatchback
The gen 2 looks so normal there’s someone under it trying to steal the catalytic converter right now.
I never really like the gen 2 Leaf, it’s trying so hard to be normal and interesting, but it’s all lipstick on a pig, as it’s still a rather akward Leaf on the inside
Apparently Nissan is trying to build a Japanese ID.4, cause those are selling so well for VW.
I actually like the 2nd gen styling, I think it’s a good looking car. The battery setup is what has kept me away.
This new design has flipped the script where the architecture is solid, but the looks are keeping me away.
I dunno, from what I can see the proportions seem better than the ID4. I don’t think it looks bad for what it is.
Then park it out back with the ID.4 and the EQS, cause I don’t wanna stare at electroblobs.
I can understand not buying a Tesla if you can’t stand He Who Shall Not Be Named, but boycotting the chargers seems like an insane level of cutting off ones nose to spite ones face.
Agreed. I’d sooner sit on a cactus & rotate before I bought one of Lord Voltermort’s rides, but I’ll gladly use infrastructure that already exists if needed.
you can get a CCS to NASC adapter to use any other fast charger available. You are still giving him money by using a Tesla charger and rates are expensive.
By all means, do what makes you most comfortable and I certainly have no dog in this fight, not being an EV owner myself.
My understanding was the Tesla network is the most extensive, most reliable, and among the fastest available. It’s easier to find a worthy competitor to a Tesla car than to a Tesla charger. If you’re willing to make your life notably worse to deny a few pennies to a company you don’t like, then more power to you.
that’s true but I’m not sure the Leaf will have access to all Tesla chargers. Like Ford/Rivian/Volvo etc, you only get access to a limited set (maybe 1/3) of Tesla chargers. So it’s not quite the most extensive network for non-native tesla owners. maybe that will change over time.
While other fast chargers networks get a deserved bad rap, there are many options available and improving all the time.
I’ve only needed L3 DCFC a couple of times and mostly use home/work L2 charging. L3 is almost as expensive as gas and usually not needed unless on a road trip. Pennies add up.
LET NISSAN COOK
I’m glad to see Nissan actually trying again. I’m just hopeful that it’s not too late.
At least it doesn’t look like a fish like the 1st gen.
Do the wheels come standard with the LED lights in them?
With only 5.9 inches of ground clearance, I should think it would be pretty difficult to turn over a new Leaf.
Why don’t you make like a tree and get the hell out of here with these tree puns
Oak K.
Especially if the battery pack goes under the seats for the high h-point/low CoG.
So, a smaller, EV Toyota Crown, but from Nissan. Curious to see the back, but, that’s the vibe from the front 1/4 shots.
What exactly makes this a “Crossover”?
It’s bulkier and heavier than a hatchback really needs to be, and has black plastic cladding to make it’s ground clearance appear greater than it is when viewed from certain angles
I like the cladding on this. It’s not garish.
Don’t discount cladding’s usefulness. It has as much (if not more) utility on-road than it does off-road in protecting from minor dings and scratches. I’d much rather replace a piece of plastic cladding after getting hit by a loose shopping cart than have to repair or replace an actual body panel.
This isn’t that kind of cladding, it’s on there to reduce the apparent visual mass of the vehicle by tricking your eyes into thinking it’s open air space, similar to how many vehicles use black plastic to simulate windows
It does both in my estimation. The plastic over the wheel arches sticks out enough to prevent them from basic light damage and the lower door/rocker panel plastic appears to be sticking out enough to serve the same for them. It doesn’t protect the whole door, but it will save some headache from opening your door into something.
I am starting to think the word “crossover” is replacing the word “car”
With no real cargo space in the rear, it’s pretty much just a puffy fastback.
Overall height 50.1″ or more, black rubber flares and rocker trim.
We need sensible, non “luxury” EVs with meaningful range and decent charging performance. If this car ends up filing that void, more power to them. As long as they’ve learned their lesson on air cooling and non-proprietary connectors.
Please don’t “well actually” me about air cooling, start your own thread.
Then don’t conflate passive air cooling and active air cooling.
If I put a Leaf battery pack in a tub of water that makes it liquid cooled, now if I compare it’s performance to that of a properly liquid cooled battery it would probably be shit, but it’s still liquid cooled.
Don’t paint with such a broad brush.
uh huh
Oh boy another round anonymous blob of a compact crossover from Nissan.
The leaf looks like a solid entry, nothing too exciting, but nothing bad either.
The real question though, Is that a new Xterra behind the Pathfinder on the left???
Don’t threaten me with a good time!
it sure seems to be one. it is a full ev, made in Mississippi.
Surely they aren’t dumb enough to make a new Xterra an EV, right? RIGHT?!?!
Unless there’s magic new battery tech they have access to I hope it’s a HEV of some sort.
If they can right the wrongs of Toyota, prioritizing (impressive) power over actual good fuel economy, then I have a feeling they’ll sell like crazy.
There’s absolutely a niche for a hybrid off roader. The new 4Runner looks great but is not selling well and paying the high price for the hybrid (I believe it’s $3,000 to upgrade and not available on the base trim, so even more expensive than that) only nets you two extra MPG in combined fuel economy. In practice the hybrids are also somehow slower than the pure ICE 4Runners and Tacos…so what’s the point?
IMHO Toyota really borked the 4 popper iForce Max powertrain. But anyway, there’s also the new Passport, which will woo some 4Runner buyers who only care about avoiding turbos…but its fuel economy is wretched. I figure most people will opt for the Trailsport trim for obvious reasons and those get 18 city and 23 highway. There are several ICE body on frame trucks that manage that or better…and you’re not even getting great power either, it’s the same setup as the Pilot.
The Bronco is ICE only and a gas hog and the 4Xe powertrain the Wrangler offers is half baked and plagued with recalls. If Nissan could find a way to release a hybrid XTerra that managed mid 20s or higher combined fuel economy they’d sell every single one before they even hit lots.
Subaru is about to print money with the upcoming Crosstrek/Forester hybrids too. I think those will steal more sales from the class we’re discussing here than people think. Hardcore off roaders and/or people that want to be perceived as them even though they aren’t are fickle, but for a lot of people that just want to look the part and commute and/or be honest with themselves about what they actually need the Subawoo hybrids are going to be hard to top.
Hit the nail on the head! My wife’s Crosstrek is starting to be a bit too small for our lifestyle, and while I want the new Passport, my wife is all about that new hybrid Forester.
Just about every BOF vehicle on the market right now is a terrible value, it’s kinda bizarre no one’s undercut them. The Frontier is about as good as it gets, but even that is essentially a $40k, 6+ year old truck (I’m being generous to that powertrain.)
I’m going to need a bigger car in the next few years and I have my eye on this class because I want to still have something with character. Unless you’re willing to spend like $60,000+ you’re just not going to get a BOF vehicle that’ll do everything you want out of it. Really the only exception I’ve found is the Land Cruiser 1958, which is selling so poorly that most around me have $4,000 off sticker at minimum.
In the low 50s I think it’s a good buy and 23/25 mileage is livable. The new 4Runner is just too damn expensive for what it is, and I don’t want to daily a Wrangler or Bronco in the DC area because it would be miserable. Anyway, what’s left at this point if you want reasonable fuel economy? I’m honestly tempted to just get half ton Silverado with the Baby Max in the 40s.
I don’t NEED a truck but I do need a lot of space and want efficiency and all wheel drive. Somehow the diesel truck checks most of the boxes so long as I get a good tonneau cover. And I’m not getting a damn crossover because I have a soul and I’m sorry commentariat but I don’t want a van.
NISSAN HYBRID XTERRA PLS
I dearly hope that the Xterra turns out to have an Epower variant. Would make an excellent Scout rival. Or a budget Scout. Depends on how they position it, better be the latter.