Urban SUV, the 2026 Nissan LEAF will change its approach
The Nissan LEAF is one of the very first electric cars to hit the Canadian market in 2011. Partially renewed in 2018, we can say that the LEAF is seriously starting to need a whole new generation. Especially since the competition is evolving at great speed.
To increasingly comply with customer demands, LEAF will completely change its configuration strategy. As a result, from a compact hatchback, it becomes an urban SUV.
According to information collected by the publication AutoNews, the “Chill-Out” concept unveiled in 2021 serves as a muse for the stylistic design of the future Nissan LEAF. To ensure Nissan’s identity in terms of electric vehicles, we would also find family resemblances with the ARIYA compact SUV.
The style will opt for a higher profile presentation. We will thus assume a more urban look while having higher ground clearance. In terms of design elements, it is likely that Nissan will maintain a unique approach when it comes to headlights and lights. We also see on the concept the evolution of the V-motion grille replaced by LEDs; in addition, the lights are inspired by the 2023 Z.
For the moment, very little information has filtered out regarding its technical characteristics. We know that it will share with Renault the CMF-EV platform on which the ARIYA 2023 is already based. The good news? This is a platform dedicated to electrification.
The ARIYA currently offers two battery choices, 66 and 91 kilowatt hours. However, the Nissan-Renault Alliance has a partnership with the Chinese company Envision. The latter is building a factory right next to Nissan’s facilities in England to be able to supply the manufacturer. According to the announcements, the batteries that will be assembled there will have an energy density 30% higher than current technology.
On the corporate level, the LEAF 2026 will be built in England at the same factory as the electric versions of the Qashqai and Juke, two models that are not planned to be marketed in Canada.
Thus, we allow ourselves to have doubts about the marketing of the LEAF on our market. Nissan must, however, diversify its offering in terms of electric products, and the LEAF enjoys a good reputation and a certain recognition in the market. It is therefore ideal for presenting a 3e generation among us.
Our opinion
Nissan must diversify its fleet of electric vehicles. Today, it has the LEAF which is completely outdated, and the recently arrived ARIYA which does not offer anything very innovative or very technological. Nissan, under Carlos Ghosn, wanted to establish itself in electrification quickly, but it quickly sat on its laurels. In doing so, technology has evolved little or not at all. Let’s hope that this new generation of LEAF will be imported to us and, above all, that it brings something interesting.
