Nissan Leaf EV Set For Rebirth As A Crossover SUV?

The refreshed second-gen Nissan Leaf EV hatch introduced locally in March this year by ETCM.

The upcoming third-generation Nissan Leaf EV is reportedly set to be reborn as a crossover SUV. Already in advanced development stages now, the next-gen Leaf is slated to debut by the end of 2024, and sources online add that it will be manufactured in the same UK plant as both the Qashqai and Juke crossovers.

Citing an insider source, reports online further indicate that the reborn Leaf EV crossover SUV will sport a lower and sleeker profile over the two combustion-powered crossovers mentioned. Its design will also draw heavy inspiration from the Nissan Ariya, as well as the as the Nissan Chill-Out Concept from 2021.

With its third-gen successor in development now, sources online indicate a radical change in form for the Leaf is coming. In fact, it's set to transform into a high-riding crossover SUV!.

The redesigned third-gen Leaf is also set to take heavy inspiration from both the Ariya EV (left) and the Nissan Chill-Out Concept from 2021 (right).

Perhaps this shift in design – and total genre change – from a hatch to a high-riding SUV could be a good thing for the Leaf – few would call both the current second-gen and previous first-gen models pretty or attractive. Expect this third-gen successor to boast a much more appealing look.

Fuelling this further are reports that Nissan designers are determined to not replicate ‘awkward proportions’ of either first- and second-gen models in this third-gen successor. Facilitating this goal further is the fact that the upcoming new Leaf will be built on the CMF-EV platform Nissan shares with Renault.

First shown back in 2021, the Nissan Chill-Out Concept was lauded for its sleek, flowing panels with little unnecessary lines, creases, and sharp edges.

Reports online also suggest that the upcoming third-gen Leaf will share the same CMF-EV platform architecture as the Nissan Ariya.

The latter architecture is the same used for both the Ariya and the Renault Megane E-Tech. The switch to a dedicated EV platform is also significant given the fact that both the first- and second-gen Leaf were constructed upon a combustion-powered platform.

When it first debuted in 2021, the Nissan Chill-Out Concept was lauded for its sleek, flowing body panels that had little unnecessary lines, creases, or sharp edges. It also featured distinct LED headlights and taillights plus LED light bar and illuminated Nissan emblem.

Word also has it that the upcoming third-gen Leaf EV will see Nissan employ new solid state batteries supplied by Chinese firm Envision.

Moreover, the upcoming third-gen Leaf will also reportedly harness new solid state batteries supplied by Chinese firm Envision via a dedicated new facility situated next to Nissan UK plant in Sunderland. These batteries are said to offer 30% higher energy density over current batteries, thus boosting range too.

Should this supposed redesign pan out accordingly, it will certainly make the upcoming new generation Leaf stand more appealing over its predecessors. Nevertheless, what do you folks reckon? Excited to see how the Leaf transforms into a crossover SUV? As always, hit the comments below…