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The next-gen Nissan LEAF gets a massive bump in range and a larger body

Nissan claims the upcoming LEAF will have an EV driving range past the 400 km mark.

Jerome Tresvalles on Apr 21, 2025

The Nissan LEAF is widely known for being one of the first electric vehicles on the market. It put Nissan on the market as one of the pioneering brands in the push for electrification. However, being first doesn’t always mean you’re one of the best, and the same is true for the Nissan LEAF.

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From its first generation to the current LEAF on the market, the main sore point that buyers have regarding the LEAF is its maximum driving range. That’s set to change with the upcoming 2026 Leaf, expected to arrive later this year. At the New York Auto Show, Nissan senior vice president and chief planning officer Ponz Pandikuthira told automotive magazine Car and Driver that the new model will offer over 480 km of driving range—a significant leap from the current version, which is EPA-rated at just 240 km in its base form and 341 km for the SV Plus. The version we get here in the Philippines is fitted with a 40 kWh battery that delivers 240 km.

Another major focus for the new Leaf is its styling—and it's come a long way from its modest 2010 debut. While it's about 150 mm shorter than the current model, the design is more upright and heavily optimized for aerodynamics, highlighted by a sleek front end and a flowing roofline. It also aligns more closely with Nissan’s new design language, echoing the look of the Ariya.

Other changes include 19-inch wheels, a panoramic moonroof, and—at least in the U.S.—a NACS charging port. This means the LEAF will be capable of utilizing Tesla chargers. This model will be built in England at Nissan’s Sunderland plant, which is rapidly becoming the brand’s flagship EV hub. It’s set to launch in Europe later this year.

There’s no official word yet on whether the 2026 LEAF will make its way to Southeast Asian markets. However, given that the current LEAF is already available here, there’s reason to be hopeful that Nissan will continue offering its electric hatchback in our region.

For now, though, check out the Nissan LEAF and other Nissan vehicles on the AutoDeal Car Guide.