Nissan Gives Insights Into All-New LEAF, Slated to Debut This Month
After 15 years and nearly 700,000 units sold globally, Canada and the U.S. will be the first markets to launch the all-new, third-generation Nissan LEAF, which will morph into a small crossover slotting below the Ariya.
Following a first look earlier this spring, the official debut will take place later in June.
- Also: Confirmed: New Mitsubishi EV Based on Future Nissan LEAF to Launch in 2026
- Also: Nissan Teases Several New Models, Gives First Look at Next-Gen LEAF
Until we get there, a three-part short video series featuring members of the planning, design and engineering team provides insights into the vehicle. The first one released this week explains how the new LEAF is Nissan’s most aerodynamic product ever, with a drag coefficient measuring just 0.26. Credit goes to the flush door handles, active grille shutter, optimized wheel design, flat underfloor and fastback silhouette with the rear liftback supporting an airfoil effect.
“Every design choice was optimized for aero and energy efficiency, even the panoramic glass roof contributes to exceptional aerodynamics,” Program Design Director Nobutaka Tase says. “It allowed us to reduce the vehicle height at critical air detachment points by 12 mm, while maintaining ample headroom inside, courtesy of the e-dimming functionality.”
Electrochromic technology will allow owners to adjust the glass' transparency and the amount of light entering the cabin at the touch of a button.
From a technical standpoint, the all-new LEAF shares its CMF-EV platform with the Ariya. Nissan is promising faster charging (look for an integrated NACS charging port enabling direct access to the Tesla Supercharger network) and increased range. The outgoing hatchback delivers a mere 240 km with the smaller battery and no more than 341 km with the larger battery.
“We wanted the all-new Nissan LEAF to offer a truly credible alternative to combustion vehicles,” says Richard Candler, VP of Global Product Strategy. “We wanted it to balance emotional and rational appeal, ensuring it looks sleek and bold, whilst meeting the real-world needs of families with thoughtful design.”
As previously reported, Nissan is also expected to introduce a plug-in hybrid variant of the Rogue compact SUV (a spinoff of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV), a new generation of the Sentra compact sedan and a refreshed Pathfinder midsize SUV later in 2025.
Then, next year or early in 2027, production of the fourth-generation Rogue will begin. The model will be the first to offer Nissan’s innovative e-POWER technology to consumers in Canada and the U.S.
