New Nissan Leaf Details Revealed Ahead Of Global Debut This Month

Nissan has revealed key details of the all-new, third-generation Leaf electric vehicle (EV), scheduled to make its global debut on June 18, 2025. The latest iteration of what was once the world’s best-selling EV marks a significant departure from its predecessor, adopting a crossover-inspired design and cutting-edge aerodynamics to enhance both performance and practicality.

The new Leaf trades its hatchback roots for a fastback-style SUV silhouette, with a taller ride height, rounded edges, and a more aerodynamic front end. According to Nobutaka Tase, the design director for the Leaf program, this is “the most aero efficient car we’ve ever made.” This efficiency is attributed to a range of enhancements, including active grille shutters, a flat underbody, flush door handles, and specially optimised wheels. 

A highlight feature is the e-dimming panoramic glass roof, which not only contributes to cabin ambience but also allows engineers to lower air detachment points by 12 mm, further improving aerodynamic drag.

The third-gen Leaf is expected to achieve a drag coefficient of 0.26 in the U.S. and Japanese markets. Interestingly, European variants are tuned even further for aero gains, boasting a coefficient of 0.25, thanks to redesigned side mirrors and alloy wheels.

To address one of the longstanding criticisms of the Leaf, the new model moves away from the CHAdeMO charging standard in favour of the more globally accepted CCS charging port, especially in Europe and Australia. It also adopts the CMF-EV platform, rebranded as AmpR Medium, shared with the Nissan Ariya and Renault’s Megane and Scenic E-Tech EVs.

This shift to the new platform also means active thermal management for the battery—an upgrade from the passive cooling in the current model, which had limited the car’s performance and durability in extreme climates.

While Nissan hasn’t officially disclosed the exact battery sizes for the new Leaf, expectations are high based on the Ariya's setup, which offers 65 kWh and 90 kWh battery packs. Depending on the configuration, the Leaf could offer WLTP-certified driving ranges between 300 km to 500km, significantly improving over the current model. 

Additionally, the charging capability has been optimised. Nissan claims the new Leaf can add over 250 km of range in just 14 minutes using plug-and-charge functionality. 

The current second-gen Leaf offers a 147 bhp and 320 Nm motor with a 39 kWh battery, delivering 270 km WLTP range. The higher-end e+ version features a 214 bhp/ 340 Nm motor and 62 kWh battery, extending the range to 385 km. The next-gen Leaf aims to surpass these numbers across the board.

Since its launch in 2010, the Nissan Leaf has sold approximately 700,000 units globally, at one point becoming the world’s best-selling EV before being overtaken by the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y. Collectively, all Leaf vehicles have reportedly covered a total of 28 billion kms.