2026 Nissan Leaf EV spied with concept-inspired looks

The Nissan Leaf hatchback may no longer be in production for Australia, but the pioneering electric vehicle (EV) nameplate is expected to be resurrected on an SUV already previewed by a concept car.

Our spy photographers have captured the next Leaf being tested in Europe, ahead of it entering production at Nissan’s UK factory in 2025.

Despite being under camouflage, we can see its shape has changed dramatically from that of its hatchback predecessors, with a raised ride height and sloping coupe-like roofline – akin to the BMW iX2.

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Though it appears the production car will be toned down, there are clear links to the Chill-Out concept revealed in 2021, such as the unique design of its wheels, the rounded-off front end, and concave rear-end treatment.

It appears the rear doors are also opened via a handle near the C-pillar, rather than on the actual door skin.

As previously reported, the production EV will be based on the CMF-EV platform which not only underpins the Nissan Ariya but also Renault’s Megane E-Tech and Scenic E-Tech.

This architecture supports single- and dual-motor layouts with power outputs ranging from 160kW to 290kW in the Ariya, and battery capacities between 65kWh and 90kWh.

It’s understood the Sunderland factory which built the previous two generations of Leaf for Australia will continue to supply the local market with the third-gen EV.

The plant recently received an investment of £3 billion ($5.8bn) towards upgrades for future electrified models, such as the Leaf and new-generation versions of the Qashqai and Juke.

While the Leaf was one of the first mass-market EVs to reach Australia, Nissan has struggled to sell the hatchback in recent years due to more affordable, higher-range rivals arriving on the market.

Between January and September 2024, Nissan sold 300 Leafs in Australia, ranking 30th on the EV sales charts. Across the same period, Tesla sold almost 17,000 Model Ys.

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