Launched 15 years ago, the Nissan Leaf played a pivotal role in the revival of electric vehicles. Thanks to the Nissan Leaf, the entire automotive industry embraced electrification during the transition to a new normal. Fast forward to 2025, and the Nissan Leaf of the Reiwa era has arrived, but it is not the Leaf you remember.
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| 2026 Nissan Leaf |
This is no longer the Nissan Leaf your everyday Uber driver knows because the ZE2 model has officially ditched the hatchback bodystyle from its predecessors in favor of a coupe-style SUV look. It starts from 5,188,700 Yen plus additional costs.
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| 2026 Nissan Leaf AUTECH |
You may be curious about the trend towards the coupe-crossover design. The story is quite interesting. For inspiration, Nissan has drawn from the Chill-Out Concept for its silhouette. They found the Chill-Out Concept's shape appealing and combined it with the front design of the Ariya and the rear of the RZ34 Fairlady Z. The result is the third-generation Nissan Leaf. Surprised? You should be! With its coupe-like silhouette, the Ariya front, and the Z's rear view, Nissan has made a dramatic transformation to the Leaf's design. Even in the showy Autech variant with a blackened front face, silver linings, and fancy wheels, there's no hiding the fact that the Leaf's turned.
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| 2026 Nissan Leaf interior |
The auto pop-up door handle is one of the most intriguing features of the ZE2 Leaf, but the interior is where things become even more exciting. On the driver's side, you'll find two 14.3-inch screens equipped with Google technology, as well as a BOSE Personal Plus Sound System. The interior also includes multicolor ambient lighting and haptic touch panels for the air conditioning, gear buttons, and other controls. While passenger comfort remains similar to that of previous models, the transition to a coupe-crossover design results in a storage capacity of up to 420 liters, an increase of 20 liters compared to the previous model. Another surprising aspect!
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| 2026 Nissan Leaf |
As a new model, the electric powertrain is also new for the ZE2 model. It features a new YM52 front electric motor connected to a 78kWh lithium battery. It produces 218PS of power and 355NM of torque. As for driving range, the entry-level B7 X has a range of 702km, while the range-topping B7 G has 685km. It even has V2L functionality, making it capable of becoming a backup generator in case of a power outage or in case you're in the middle of a touring gig.
The Leaf ZE2 shares a similar platform with its larger counterpart, the Ariya. It is equipped with Rack & Pinion Power Steering, front strut suspension, rear multilink suspension, and ventilated disc brakes, which contribute to a decent driving experience. Additionally, it includes the e-Pedal feature, enabling the car to accelerate and brake using just one pedal.
For safety, the Leaf ZE2 is packed with ProPILOT Assist with Navi-link, a 3D 8-point Around View Monitor, Invisible Hood View, Front Wide View, and other safety features such as Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, and Driver Monitor System.
The abrupt shift to a coupe-crossover may seem like a sacrilege to the Leaf's heritage. However, with significant advancements in its EV powertrain and technology, this third-generation Nissan Leaf, manufactured in Tochigi, Japan, has quietly rewritten the EV rulebook. It's ready to tackle the "new normal" in this unstable world we live in.
Available Colors: Prism White, Prism White Black Roof, Dark Metal Grey, Midnight Black, Deep Crimson Black Roof, Shell Blond, Luminous Turquoise Black Roof, and Deep Ocean Blue.
Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
