The Nissan LEAF Returns, but It’s Wearing a New Suit

Nissan has brought back its famous LEAF, though this time it’s dressed more like a crossover than a compact. The design is sleek, the tech is piled on and the promised range reportedly stretches up to 600 kilometres.

There are two battery options: a smaller 52 kWh version that claims up to 436 km and a larger 75 kWh pack good for 604 km (WLTP, of course). On a fast charger, you can theoretically add 417 km worth of juice in just half an hour.

The interior is, as always, “spacious and ergonomic,” which likely means the front seats are fine and the back is best suited for short children or bendy adults. Boot space comes in at 437 litres—plenty, unless your weekends involve frequent moves.

The new LEAF shares a platform with the Nissan Ariya, bringing better suspension and a more comfortable ride. It also includes all the standard safety and driver-assist tech expected in a modern car—cameras, sensors and software that should, ideally, prevent at least half of life’s mishaps.

On the infotainment side, the LEAF has gone fully Google: a pair of 14.3-inch screens, built-in Maps and Assistant, and the ability to control almost everything with minimal button pushing. There are Bose speakers, a smartphone app, V2L functionality and future readiness to sell power back to the grid, if and when someone gets that system working.

Production will take place in Sunderland, UK, under the Nissan EV36Zero initiative, which promises a greener future and local battery sourcing. Orders open in the autumn and, if all goes to plan, the first cars should reach customers next spring.