All-new 2026 Nissan Leaf revealed with major battery upgrades

Japanese carmaker Nissan has revealed details and specifications for its latest Nissan Leaf in Japan overnight. As one of the pioneers in the electrification of transport, the humble Leaf is now 15 years and three generations in. Temptations to default to the oft-used idiom of “turning over a new Leaf” are hard to resist... 

But with this new third-gen Leaf, it appears at first glance that that’s exactly what it is. According to Nissan’s global announcement (which doesn’t outline local specs) the new Leaf gets two battery options: one with a 52kWh usable battery capacity with 130kW/345Nm output, and a second larger 75kWh option with 160kW/355Nm output. 

While the first is somewhat smaller than the 2023 Leaf e+’s 62kWh, the second is the largest battery option the Leaf has seen to date. Nissan is currently coy about expected range from the 52kWh model – for comparison’s sake, the 2023 62kWh model gets 385km WLTP range. In the US, it’s rated for 212 miles or 341km range (the US-based EPA ratings are considered a closer estimation of real – world performance.) 

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The 75kWh model, on the other hand, is estimated to deliver 303 miles range – 487km in metric parlance. This is a considerable step up from Nissan, and one that is likely attributable to the very low 0.26 drag coefficient (for Japanese and US markets) and an even lower 0.25 figure for European markets. Nissan notes these figures are all internal only, and will vary depending on grades, trim levels and configurations. 

Nissan finally opts for liquid-cooled battery in Leaf

The big news is that Nissan now includes a liquid-cooled thermal management system for its Leaf battery (previously available in the Ariya) that also reuses heat from the onboard charger to warm the battery, and in some grades, a route-aware thermal conditioning system. 

This has been one of the long-standing criticisms of the Leaf, especially in hotter climates like Australia and the southern United States, where heat stress can accelerate battery degradation. Nissan previously relied on software-based thermal throttling and limited fast-charging logic to manage battery temps, but it did not employ liquid thermal battery management for the Leaf like most modern EVs. 

2026 Nissan Leaf goes SUV, gets sharp new look 

In addition to the amped-up battery, the new 2026 Nissan Leaf is upsizing on the outside too. At 4600mm long, 1660m tall and with 170mm ground clearance (up from the previous models’ 4490mm length, 1540mm height and 155mm ground clearance), the Leaf now pushes into SUV territory. 

With this, expect a sharper look this time around for the third-gen Leaf, wrapped in Nissan’s latest design cues, dubbed "Timeless Japanese Futurism." 

A fastback silhouette and flush-mounted door handles streamline airflow, while a geometric "ni-san" pattern alludes to the brand’s name, and is visual represented for example in the rear lights (“ni” meaning two in Japanese, and “san” meaning three.)  

On upper trims, a lightbar spans the length of the bonnet (positioned above an illuminated Nissan logo in some markets) and 3D-effect tail lamps at the rear give it a sharper, more planted presence. Daylight running lamps help define the evolved V-motion fascia. 

Cabin layout benefits from Nissan’s electric CMF-EV platform, allowing a near-flat floor and more foot space. Screens features on the dash – either twin 12.3-inch or 14.3-inch displays depending on variant – floating above a broad, minimal instrument panel. Upper grades will also pick up Bose® Personal® Plus audio with speakers mounted in the headrests. Sound quality should be punchy, though some may find the positioning a little gimmicky. 

In a first for Nissan, a panoramic glass roof debuts a new PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal) dimming tech, which allows light levels to be adjusted at the touch of a button. It doubles as thermal shielding, useful for keeping cabin temps stable without heavy tinting or shades. 

2026 Nissan Leaf powertrain, V2L and charging 

Under the skin, Nissan's new 3-in-1 powertrain layout consolidates the motor, inverter and reducer. It's now 10 per cent smaller than before and bolted to a new high-rigidity motor-mount bracket, cutting vibration by a claimed 75 per cent compared to the previous generation. Nissan says refinement at low speeds is noticeably better, with fewer jitters off the line and during urban crawl, contributing to smoother performance. 

Intelligent Distance Control Assist will be available in certain markets. It tweaks regenerative braking and distance between vehicles depending on traffic flow, helping to maintain gaps in stop-start traffic. It’s not full autonomy, but it takes the edge off heavy city commutes. 

V2L (vehicle-to-load) functionality is also on the menu: the Leaf is expected to include two outlets (cabin and cargo, and 120V for the US market), supporting up to 1500W combined output – enough to run small appliances or top up camping gear. An external charging port accessory will allow devices to be plugged in from outside the car, Nissan confirms. Note, Nissan says that drivers in some markets may have to pay extra for the V2L adapter/connector. 

In Japan, the Leaf still supports V2H for home energy integration, and European buyers will eventually get access to V2G, potentially turning the car into a mobile energy asset. News on what this will mean for Australian drivers is yet to be revealed. 

Assembly is locked in for Tochigi, Japan and Sunderland, UK, suggesting Nissan expects high-volume rollout across global markets.  

Details are not yet clear on which plug the Australian-bound Leaf will carry when it arrives sometime in the Japanese 2026 fiscal year – that is, sometime between April 2026 and March 2027. 

Nissan’s latest announcement confirms that while in Japan (a fellow right-hand-drive market like Australia) the new Leaf will retain the CHAdeMO port (which newly installed DC fast chargers in Australia are no longer required to have).  

In Europe – largely a left-hand-drive market with the exception of the UK, the Leaf will come with a CCS2 plug, which is more common in Australia. The US and Canada, on the other hand, will get the NACS plug – previously Tesla’s proprietary hardware – which is in full known as the North American Charging Standard. 

Nissan says a 10 to 80% recharge is possible in as little as 35 minutes when using a DC fast charger, based on 150kW charging at 25 degrees. 

Pricing and full specs for the Australian market will be announced closer to a local launch. First global deliveries start in the US in its autumn, with other markets to follow.