Achieving the maximum EV range was a priority not just for engineers, but also for designers, when developing the new Nissan Leaf, it has been said.

The third-generation Leaf has been unveiled as an SUV, marking a departure from the first two generations, which were hatchbacks.

The new model has a drag coefficient figure of 0.25, which Nissan senior vice president for research and development David Moss described as class leading. 

Combined with the car’s powertrain, which pairs a 218hp electric motor with a 75kWh battery on the extended-range model, this aerodynamic performance allows up to 375 miles of range, and contributes to a provisional energy consumption figure of 14.2kWh/100km, which Moss explained was a 20% improvement compared with the previous Leaf.

Speaking at a media roundtable held to support the unveiling of the new model, Moss said: “One of the most important factors with an EV [is] to maximise range, and not only did we want to come up with a shape that would really slip through the air, but we put a lot of attention [into] details of how to do the door mirrors, how to do the wheels and the door handles, and putting in active shutters. And of course, spending a lot of effort on the underside. 

“This 0.25 Cd for us is class leading and it also has a big impact, of course, on range, which is the whole reason why we wanted the car to be as sleek as possible. Everything is about efficiency.”

This focus on battery range was also highlighted by Giovanny Arroba, vice president of Nissan Design Europe, who also said the new Leaf reflected Nissan’s pioneering record on two fronts – in crossover SUV development, with the Juke and Qashqai, and in mainstream EV development with the first Leaf.

Discussing the design approach to the model, and its move from a hatchback to SUV profile, Arroba said: “I think that the design language is really how – in this day and era – we bring the most range out of this powertrain, and [place it] within this kind of ‘Goldilocks’ zone: the right package, the right interior roominess, the right luggage space, the right cost, and the right range, especially as we’re reaching more parity and more of a tipping point toward electrification. 

“The silhouette is shaped [for aerodynamic efficiency] in the wind tunnel – it’s shaped by science – but clearly, the core of the segment as a family car, you know, the crossover – we use that word so, so much, but the reality of being a little bit upright with a commanding driving position, the functionality of going anywhere and putting your family in there and all the luggage space, combined with a sense of style – this kind of sweet spot was the balance that we were after, and that’s how it’s been shaped.”

R&D chief Moss also praised eye-catching visual elements of the new Leaf’s design, including its holographic-effect rear lights, and an electrically dimming sunroof, which also saves 30mm of headroom by not requiring a traditional cover.

Reflecting on the model overall, Moss said: “Building on the legacy of what we’ve done with the first two [Leafs], that’s always difficult, but I think the focus of attention to detail on … how the customer uses a car, how they like the original one, leveraging that knowledge of the 700,000 [previous Leaf] customers, to me is super important. and then building in all that efficiency, how you get that car to really maximise the benefit to the customer is key.”

Despite its SUV profile, the new Leaf is only 10mm taller than the outgoing model, and is also 140mm shorter, measuring 4,350mm in length – Nissan says the flat floor, facilitated by the CMF-EV platform, allows it to maximise interior space. The car is also around 20mm wider than its predecessor.

The interior features twin 14.3in screens, with built-in Google infotainment, and there’s a 437-litre boot.

The model has Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, allowing it to power electrical devices, and in future it will also be Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) compatible.

Discussing the latter technology, Moss said: “It’s not on the car at launch, but it’s something that we’re really working on here in Nissan, and we’ve already demonstrated, certainly in the UK, that we can get grid-co compliance. And that to me is fantastic, in the way the car can then be integrated into that electrical ecosystem – you’re effectively driving around an electricity storage device, which when plugged into the grid, is able to feedback energy to the grid, taking the load off the grid, but then it can be recharged at night using effectively abundant green electricity, so it’s like recycling green electricity. 

“And, of course, there is a financial benefit to the customer to do that, because the power networks really want the energy at peak times.”

Orders for the new Leaf will open this Autumn, with the first deliveries scheduled for Spring 2026. Full specs and prices are yet to be announced.