Latest news with #2026Leaf
WIRED
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- WIRED
The Nissan Leaf Is Back And Looking to Make Up Lost Ground
Fresh details of the 2026 Nissan Leaf show big improvements, including a 300-mile range and much-needed redesign. But will it be enough to help the brand recapture any of its early market lead? Finally, after 15 years, we have a new 2026 Nissan Leaf coming. As befits the 'truckification' of global car markets, it's no longer a compact hatchback. Now, it's a compact SUV—or, more accurately, a crossover utility vehicle built on passenger-vehicle underpinnings. The new Leaf will offer a range of up to 303 miles, Nissan says, from a 75-kilowatt-hour battery pack, powering a 160-kilowatt (214-horsepower) motor that produces 261 lb-ft (354 Newton-meters) of torque. That motor drives the front wheels, but despite its tall, utility appearance, all-wheel-drive isn't on the table. The 2026 Leaf can charge at up to 150 kW via a NACS (North American Charging Standard) port on the right-front fender, with fast-charging from 10 to 80 percent of battery capacity in 35 minutes under ideal conditions. Drivers will benefit from the standard Plug & Charge protocol that lets them to plug in the car and walk away, with validation and billing handled automatically, at capable charging networks. Notably, the AC charging port with a J-1772 socket is on the left-front fender; dual charge ports remain uncommon outside higher-end models like the Porsche Taycan. Smaller and Sleeker Stylistically, the Leaf resembles a smaller Nissan Ariya—the brand's larger EV crossover. The new Leaf, however, is sleeker—Nissan quotes a drag coefficient of 0.26, down from the prior Leaf's 0.29 and the Ariya's 0.297—and uses such drag-reducing features as the company's first powered, flush-fitting front door handles (the rears are scooped out of the roof pillar behind the rear doors). The very high tail provides a large cargo area, at up to 55.5 cubic feet (1.6 cubic meters) behind the rear seats. Depending on trim level, the 2026 Leaf comes with 18-inch or 19-inch wheels, though the smaller wheels may produce slightly higher range ratings. A heat pump is standard for cabin heating; Nissan notes the Leaf now captures waste heat from both the power electronics during charging and the drive motor, using it to warm the battery to its optimal operating temperature. Inside, most models use dual 14.3-inch displays mounted side-by-side on a flat dash tray, à la any number of Hyundai EVs. Google Maps and Google Assistant are built into the dash, and, as with many new EVs, Maps will recommend charging stops on routes that exceed the car's range. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay phone mirroring remains available, both wirelessly and wired, with available options including an electrically dimming panoramic glass moon roof, and a battery heater, to warm the battery in winter while the car is still plugged in. Sometime after the 2026 Leaf goes on sale in a variety of trim levels, Nissan also plans to offer a basic Leaf S version with a smaller 52-kWh battery and a 130-kW (174-hp) motor. No range was projected for this configuration, however. A Long, Checkered History It's important to recall that in December 2010, when the first US Leaf was delivered to a paying customer, there were just three cars for sale in the US market with plugs: the Tesla Roadster, a crudely-built $100,000 two-seat roadster; the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, a concept virtually no salesperson could cogently explain to shoppers; and the Leaf. The Tesla Model S wouldn't struggle into production for more than 18 months. Taking perhaps the wrong lesson from the unexpected sales success of the 2004 Toyota Prius hybrid, its designers gave the Leaf a design like no other car on the road. It was all curves, with a beveled nose, swept-back headlights, and almost a bustle on its rounded hatchback rear. 'Weird' was the general consensus. Still, even with only 74 miles of range, it was at least semi-affordable, at around $40,000. And in the following 15 years, Nissan would go on to sell more than 650,000 Leafs globally, with 150,000 of those in the US. But low range and weird looks proved not to be an appealing combination, even if affordable—and the sleek lines, startling acceleration, and 200-plus-mile range of every Tesla Model S soon outgunned the modest little Leaf. Worse, the Leaf's Achilles Heel turned out to be the cost-saving decision by powertrain engineers to forego active thermal conditioning for its battery—meaning the pack had no liquid cooling or heating. That worked adequately in most circumstances. But a small number of Leaf drivers in places like Arizona, where pavement temperature just 6.3 inches below the battery can reach 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius), found their batteries losing capacity within months, or failing outright. Overall, according to owner-provided telematics data from battery-health firm Recurrent, 2011 to 2016 Leafs did significantly worse in retaining battery range than the next high-volume EV to hit the market, the Tesla Model S. The average Leaf from that period, says Recurrent, retained only 83 percent of its battery range—versus almost 93 percent for the average Model S. (For what it's worth, the Leaf still bested the BMW i3, which had an even worse 78 percent.) Recurrent notes any EVs whose batteries were replaced are not called out, nor are any EVs whose batteries died completely and were then scrapped. For the 2026 Nissan Leaf and the 2023 Ariya before it, Nissan learned its lesson. The new Leaf's battery pack is liquid cooled; Arizona EV drivers can rest easy. Losing Its Lead The first-generation Leaf has had a staggering 15-year model life, albeit with one major redesign in 2018 to make it less odd-looking—which succeeded, as it now largely resembles every other small Nissan. Over that time, battery capacity grew from 24 to 62 kilowatt-hours in various iterations. An EV launched with a 74-mile range was EPA-rated as high as 212 miles for the Leaf Plus model. US production began in 2013, though it's expected to wind down this year. Former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn was an early champion of EVs. He was also, however, a relentless cost-cutter, and he axed multiple proposed new EV models, intending that the Leaf first show that EVs could be profitable. Every Leaf sold for many years likely lost more money for the company; instant profitability is a tall order for any new technology. Toyota has acknowledged it lost money for almost 10 years on its first two generations of Prius. Ghosn was arrested and jailed in Japan for financial misconduct in 2018, then fled the country to Lebanon while on house arrest. Nissan has never regained its footing. EVs were not, frankly, its biggest problem. And that's where we remain today, with Nissan now planning to close assembly plants, slash jobs, and retrench for survival following a failed Honda merger. Over those 15 years, Nissan utterly squandered its first-mover advantage. Could it have taken lessons from Tesla, and launched a more stylish, longer-range EV to establish a range of electric-car options? It could have … but it didn't. With close to 100 separate EV models on sale in the US today, the Leaf faces tough competitors from around the globe—if not yet China. The new Leaf will compete with a score of smaller, front-wheel-drive crossovers from Hyundai, Kia, Chevrolet, Volkswagen, and others. We'll wait for a first drive to see how it stacks up. Very likely, the 2026 Nissan Leaf will likely be a competent, efficient smaller EV crossover. But it's hard not to think what might have been if Nissan had stayed the course.
The Verge
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Verge
The Nissan Leaf is finally getting the makeover it deserves
Nissan revealed new details about the upcoming 2026 Leaf, which will return as a crossover SUV with up to 303 miles of estimated range, dual charge ports, and Google's software built-in. The reborn Leaf will reach dealerships in the US starting this fall at a yet-to-be-announced price. The first-gen Leaf was somewhat charming — in a ugly kind of way. The second gen was not much better, with bland styling and an outdated CHAdeMO charging port that practically screamed 'obsolete.' The 2026 Leaf is a significant improvement over previous generations in almost every way. Gone is the frumpy hatchback, replaced by a sleek, stylish crossover with improved aerodynamics (0.26 drag coefficient, down from 0.29) and an estimated range between 259 and 303 miles (up dramatically over the current maximum range of 212 miles). The new Leaf will also set itself apart with dual charge ports, one a standard CCS-compatible port and an additional NACS port that allows access to Tesla's extensive Supercharger network. This is sure to make refueling the 2026 Leaf a better experience than it was with the old CHAdeMO-equipped models. 'We have completely reconstructed the values of the next-generation Leaf,' said Tase Nobutaka, program design director at Nissan, in the press release. 'We made it simple and clean, yet with a more energetic feeling. We ensured the all-new Leaf has a dynamic shape, testing it time and time again to reach our ambitious aerodynamic targets.' 'We have completely reconstructed the values of the next-generation Leaf.' It's a huge step up from the current Leaf, which was last refreshed in 2023. Despite its status as a pioneering EV with its zero-emission powertrain and affordable starting price, the Leaf was teetering on the brink of discontinuation as Nissan struggled with low sales and declining relevancy. Now it has been resurrected and revived with a set of specs more compatible with the current era than the one from which it emerged. Car buyers, especially Americans, have soured on hatchbacks, preferring anything resembling an SUV. Even the frumpy Toyota Prius has been reimagined as a sleeker, sportier sedan — so it only makes sense that the Leaf would get its own glow-up. The 2026 Leaf sports a new 75kWh, liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack paired with a 214-horsepower electric motor. It can fast charge at up to 150kWh, and its dual ports will provide a level of flexibility that doesn't require an adapter — although fast charging is only allowed through one. On the driver side above the fender is a J1772 charge port that's compatible with most home and public Level 2 chargers. On the passenger side, a NACS port will allow fast charging at any Tesla Supercharger. The new Leaf will also be Nissan's first EV with Plug and Charge, which allows drivers to just plug in and start charging without the need to submit payment information or sign up for a third-party app. Nissan estimates that fast charging from 10 to 80 percent will take 35 minutes. The Leaf S will be the base trim, while the S Plus and SV Plus trims offer upgrades like a bigger battery and 18-inch alloy wheels. Nissan is also adding a fourth trim level, Platinum Plus, which features 19-inch wheels and a 10-speaker Bose system with built-in front headrest speakers. The base model S trim, which won't be available until spring 2026, will come with a smaller 52kWh battery and 174-hp motor, and will likely get an estimated 255 miles of range. And enhanced battery thermal management system and a heat pump will also make the Leaf the ideal EV to charge in winter. The Leaf's battery pack is sealed by a resin cover, helping keep out cold air, snow, and slush during winter driving. The Leaf will also capture 'wasted heat' from the drive motor and the onboard charger, and repurposes that heat to help warm the battery to its ideal temperature range. An onboard heat pump, which comes standard on all trims, will efficiently warm the cabin during colder months. And a battery heater can help bring the pack to the optimal temperature for fast charging when the mercury drops. Dual charging ports will provide a level of flexibility that doesn't require an adapter. Dual charging ports will provide a level of flexibility that doesn't require an adapter Nissan says its engineers tested the new Leaf over 1,500 days in both the deserts of the Southwest and Fairbanks, Alaska, to gauge how well charging holds up in extreme heat and extreme cold. The design of the new Leaf is a lot cleaner and more streamlined, with retractable door handles (a first for Nissan), concealed rear handles in the C-pillar, an illuminated logo in the front grille, stacked rectangular lighting, and an optional full-width light bar. The 2026 Leaf is built on the modular CMF-EV platform that also undergirds the Ariya EV. This platform features Nissan's '3-in-1' powertrain setup that combines the motor, inverter, and reducer into a single unit. With Google built-in, the Nissan Leaf seamlessly integrates apps like Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play into a vehicle's infotainment system. Google Maps, for example, will show the vehicle's range and battery capacity, and on certain routes it'll suggest charging stops when the destination is beyond the battery's capacity. S and S Plus trims will have dual 12.3-inch screens that connect wirelessly to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On SV Plus and Platinum Plus trims, those screens expand to 14.3 inches. All trims feature ProPILOT Assist steering assist, lane centering, and adaptive cruise control. The new Leaf also comes with a Nissan-first safety technology called Secondary Collision Mitigation Braking, which automatically applies the brakes after the airbag is deployed to help reduce the severity of a crash or prevent a secondary crash into another vehicle. Nissan is promising more details on the new Leaf, including price, before the end of the year. The company also recently announced that new ICE and plug-in hybrid versions of its Rogue SUV, and refreshed models of its midsized Pathfinder SUV and Sentra sedan, would be coming soon. Ideally, the new Leaf will provide a much-needed boost to Nissan. The automaker has been going through a particularly rough patch, with declining sales and the collapse of a merger deal with Honda. It definitely needs some fresh products to help boost its overall image. And while the Leaf certainly isn't fresh, its new look is sure to turn a few heads.
