Nissan reveals third-generation Leaf crossover with Australian timing flagged for 2026
Nissan has revealed the third-generation Leaf as a crossover-style EV, with Australian sales timing reported for 2026, new battery and charging hardware, and a bigger, more modern cabin.
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Third-generation Leaf revealed as a crossover EV
Nissan has unveiled the third-generation Leaf as a crossover-style electric vehicle, moving it away from the hatchback shape of the outgoing model. Ground News said production starts in 2025 and sales in Australia are set for 2026, while Chasing Cars, Cars24 and zecar each reported that the new Leaf adopts a small SUV body rather than the previous hatch form. Those same reports also said the model is built on the CMF-EV platform and sits slightly taller than before, with a sleeker and more aerodynamic exterior. 9456
Battery, range and charging
CarExpert reported that the new Leaf will offer a 75kWh battery with a claimed WLTP range of 604km, while an entry version will use a 52kWh battery with a claimed range of 436km. Chasing Cars and Cars24 both gave the larger battery’s output as 160kW and 355Nm, with the smaller pack listed at 130kW and 345Nm; zecar reported the same broad split in battery sizes, range and outputs. CarExpert said the outgoing Leaf’s biggest 62kWh battery managed 385km on the WLTP cycle, making the new claim a significant step up. All of the reports said the old CHAdeMO inlet is replaced by CCS charging, with peak DC charging of 150kW and a Nissan-claimed 30-minute range gain of up to 417km for the larger battery. 7456
Cars24 said the 150kW DC charge can take the larger battery from 10 to 80 per cent in about 25 minutes, while Chasing Cars and CarExpert both put that same charging window at around 35 and 30 minutes respectively. The reports agree on the faster charging hardware and on battery thermal management, with liquid cooling and conditioning integrated with the cabin climate system, plus a heat pump standard on the larger battery and optional on the smaller one in the CarExpert report. 567
Cabin, equipment and packaging
The new Leaf’s interior is reported to take clear inspiration from the Ariya, with twin 14.3-inch displays, Google Automotive software, Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play Store access. Chasing Cars, Cars24, zecar and CarExpert all said physical controls remain for key functions, including volume and climate, and all four reported an optional Bose audio system with a speaker in the driver’s headrest. Chasing Cars and Cars24 also said the panoramic or electrochromatic roof can darken in segments and is heat-insulated or infra-red absorbing, helping maintain headroom despite the lower roofline. 4567
Published reports also point to practical gains from the new packaging. CarExpert, Cars24 and zecar each said rear legroom increases by 80mm and rear headroom by 30mm, while CarExpert also reported 40mm more shoulder room. Those same outlets said the boot grows to 427 litres and includes an adjustable floor, with storage for charging cables and no front boot. 4567
Timing, pricing and local status
On timing, the reporting is not entirely consistent. Ground News said sales in Australia are set for 2026, Cars24 and zecar also said the model is due in Australia in 2026, and CarExpert reported that Nissan Australia has indefinitely delayed the local launch, meaning the current timing has been pushed back or remains unresolved in its coverage. CarExpert’s earlier 2025 report said prices had not yet been set and sales would not start until well into 2026, while Chasing Cars and zecar both said Australian pricing had not been confirmed. Across those reports, the common position is that Nissan has not announced local pricing for the third-generation Leaf. 94567
Context from the outgoing Leaf
CarExpert’s model pages place the outgoing Australian Leaf as a five-door electric hatchback that is no longer available new in Australia, with drive-away pricing shown at $55,469 to $66,494 for the 2023 base and e+ variants. Those pages also say the old Leaf was built in Great Britain, used front-wheel drive and had a WLTP range of 270km to 385km depending on variant. CarExpert’s separate market roundup said Nissan was expecting a replacement for the Leaf EV before the end of March 2027, and described it as an SUV-like successor rather than a hatchback. That context helps frame the latest reveal as a broader shift from the original Leaf concept to a taller, more family-oriented EV. 1238
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9 cited pages across 5 websites
- News publisher 5
- Dealer / retailer 1
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- CarExpertcarexpert.com.au5 pages
- Cars24cars24.com.au1 page
- chasingcars.com.au1 page
- ground.news1 page
- zecar.com1 page
3 cited pages with an undocumented publisher role. Websites may share ownership or repeat the same reporting.
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- Nissan Leaf Reviews - Models & RangeNews publisherSource extract saved
Why these labels?Nissan Leaf Reviews - Models & Range
Who produced it
Publishes automotive news and reviews and operates a car-buying service connecting buyers with dealers. Identity reference ↗
How this report uses it
Cited in 1 paragraph: Context from the outgoing Leaf.
This describes its use in our report. It does not establish the source’s editorial stance or independently corroborate every claim.
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Text retrieved 24 Sept 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
- 2025 Nissan Leaf Reviews - Models & RangeNews publisherSource extract saved
Why these labels?2025 Nissan Leaf Reviews - Models & Range
Who produced it
Publishes automotive news and reviews and operates a car-buying service connecting buyers with dealers. Identity reference ↗
How this report uses it
Cited in 1 paragraph: Context from the outgoing Leaf.
This describes its use in our report. It does not establish the source’s editorial stance or independently corroborate every claim.
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Text retrieved 24 Sept 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
- Nissan Leaf Comparison - CarExpertNews publisherSource extract saved
Why these labels?Nissan Leaf Comparison - CarExpert
Who produced it
Publishes automotive news and reviews and operates a car-buying service connecting buyers with dealers. Identity reference ↗
How this report uses it
Cited in 1 paragraph: Context from the outgoing Leaf.
This describes its use in our report. It does not establish the source’s editorial stance or independently corroborate every claim.
Evidence record
Text retrieved 24 Sept 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
- 2026 Nissan Leaf takes on BYD Atto 3, Kia EV3 and MG S5 with ...Role not assessedSource extract saved
Why these labels?2026 Nissan Leaf takes on BYD Atto 3, Kia EV3 and MG S5 with ...
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We have not documented this publisher’s role. An unassigned label is not a negative rating.
How this report uses it
Cited in 5 paragraphs: Third-generation Leaf revealed as a crossover EV; Battery, range and charging; Cabin, equipment and packaging; Timing, pricing and local status.
This describes its use in our report. It does not establish the source’s editorial stance or independently corroborate every claim.
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Text retrieved 24 Sept 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
- 2026 Nissan Leaf revealed: SUV‑style EV promises ...Dealer / retailerSource extract saved
Why these labels?2026 Nissan Leaf revealed: SUV‑style EV promises ...
Who produced it
Cars24 buys and sells used cars in Australia and states that it owns the cars it sells. Identity reference ↗
How this report uses it
Cited in 6 paragraphs: Third-generation Leaf revealed as a crossover EV; Battery, range and charging; Cabin, equipment and packaging; Timing, pricing and local status.
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Text retrieved 24 Sept 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
- 2026 Nissan Leaf Returns As Sleek SUV With 600km RangeRole not assessedSource extract saved
Why these labels?2026 Nissan Leaf Returns As Sleek SUV With 600km Range
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We have not documented this publisher’s role. An unassigned label is not a negative rating.
How this report uses it
Cited in 6 paragraphs: Third-generation Leaf revealed as a crossover EV; Battery, range and charging; Cabin, equipment and packaging; Timing, pricing and local status.
This describes its use in our report. It does not establish the source’s editorial stance or independently corroborate every claim.
Evidence record
Text retrieved 24 Sept 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
- 2026 Nissan Leaf gets over 600km of range, SUV shapeNews publisherSource extract saved
Why these labels?2026 Nissan Leaf gets over 600km of range, SUV shape
Who produced it
Publishes automotive news and reviews and operates a car-buying service connecting buyers with dealers. Identity reference ↗
How this report uses it
Cited in 5 paragraphs: Battery, range and charging; Cabin, equipment and packaging; Timing, pricing and local status.
This describes its use in our report. It does not establish the source’s editorial stance or independently corroborate every claim.
Evidence record
Text retrieved 24 Sept 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
- All the new Nissans coming to AustraliaNews publisherSource extract saved
Why these labels?All the new Nissans coming to Australia
Who produced it
Publishes automotive news and reviews and operates a car-buying service connecting buyers with dealers. Identity reference ↗
How this report uses it
Cited in 1 paragraph: Context from the outgoing Leaf.
This describes its use in our report. It does not establish the source’s editorial stance or independently corroborate every claim.
Evidence record
Text retrieved 24 Sept 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
- Nissan Leaf reveal points to an Australian launch later in 2026Role not assessedSource extract saved
Why these labels?Nissan Leaf reveal points to an Australian launch later in 2026
Who produced it
We have not documented this publisher’s role. An unassigned label is not a negative rating.
How this report uses it
Cited in 2 paragraphs: Third-generation Leaf revealed as a crossover EV; Timing, pricing and local status.
This describes its use in our report. It does not establish the source’s editorial stance or independently corroborate every claim.
Evidence record
Text retrieved 24 Sept 2026. The retained extract did not reach our text limit. Extraction can still omit page content.
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