Nissan LEAF

Core summary

The Nissan LEAF is now a subcompact electric crossover, with front-wheel drive, liquid-cooled batteries and up to 490 km of estimated EPA range on select configurations.

The third-generation Nissan LEAF, designated ZE2, is the current production version and was released in 2025. It changes the model’s established five-door hatchback formula to a subcompact crossover SUV body. The vehicle uses Nissan’s AmpR Medium platform, previously known as CMF-EV, which it shares with the larger Nissan Ariya. Unlike the previous generations’ passively air-cooled battery packs, the ZE2 uses active liquid-cooled battery systems with thermal conditioning. It remains a single-motor, front-wheel-drive electric vehicle; the extract specifically says that all-wheel drive is not offered. Two battery options are described: 52 kWh and 75 kWh. Their stated motor outputs are 130 kW and 160 kW respectively. Nissan estimates up to 490 km of EPA range on selected configurations. Charging also advances, with support for up to 150 kW DC charging and, in North America, the North American Charging System. The current LEAF therefore represents a change in body style, battery management and charging capability rather than a simple continuation of the earlier hatchback.

History & generations

The LEAF began production in 2010 as a five-door hatchback and was introduced as a mass-produced battery-electric car. The first generation, ZE0, remained in production through 2017. Its initial specification used an underfloor lithium-ion battery and an 80 kW electric motor, with an approximately 160 km full-charge range stated in the extract. The second generation, ZE1, launched in Japan in October 2017 for the 2018 model year, with deliveries elsewhere beginning in February 2018. It retained the hatchback body but brought a 40 kWh battery, a 110 kW motor and a higher stated EPA range. The 62 kWh e+ or Plus variant followed from 2019. A facelift arrived for the 2023 model year. The major change came with ZE2: Nissan previewed it through the Chill-Out concept, revealed the production model in June 2025 and released it later that year. ZE2 moved the LEAF into the crossover class and introduced liquid-cooled batteries, faster charging and a new platform.

Body, platform & design

The current LEAF’s defining design change is its move from a five-door hatchback to a subcompact crossover-style body. That change gives the nameplate a different visual and packaging direction from the ZE0 and ZE1 generations, both of which were hatchbacks. The ZE2 is built on Nissan’s AmpR Medium platform, also used by the larger Ariya. The supplied extract identifies a drag coefficient of 0.25 for the general version and 0.26 in North America, compared with 0.29 for the previous generation. These figures indicate that aerodynamic efficiency was a specific design objective. The image set includes current ZE2 examples in B7 and B7 X forms, rear views, front three-quarter views and a view under the bonnet. It also includes a B7 three-in-one powertrain image. Those filenames support the current model’s exterior and mechanical identity, but they do not establish a complete equipment list, detailed dimensions or interior design description. The current design should therefore be understood primarily through its crossover body, platform change and aerodynamic development.

Engine & drivetrain

The ZE2 uses a single electric motor driving the front wheels. The extract describes two liquid-cooled NMC lithium-ion battery options, both with thermal-conditioning functionality. The 52 kWh battery is paired with a 130 kW motor producing 344 N⋅m of torque. The 75 kWh battery is paired with a 160 kW motor producing 160 kW and 354 N⋅m of torque. The extract gives the larger motor’s output as 160 kW, equivalent to 214 hp, and lists 354 N⋅m, or 261 lb⋅ft. Nissan does not offer the dual-motor all-wheel-drive arrangement available in the Ariya. Charging capability is also revised for ZE2. The current LEAF supports charging at up to 150 kW, while North American vehicles use a J1772 port for Level 2 charging and a separate NACS port for DC charging. Nissan states a 10–80% DC fast-charge time of 35 minutes in North America and about 30 minutes for the European version.

Trim differences

It does, however, identify current-generation B7 vehicles in the supplied image filenames and states that a Japanese-market LEAF NISMO was added in July 2026. The NISMO version is offered in B5 and B7 variants, with unique wheels, stiffer suspension and additional aerodynamic aids. A Recaro seat option is available on the B7 grade. The electric motors are tuned for acceleration, but maximum power is not increased. These details apply to the current ZE2-based NISMO model. They should not be confused with the earlier ZE1 NISMO, which had different body and equipment details. The extract gives extensive trim information for the previous generation, including Japanese, European and North American grades, but those are historical ZE1 specifications rather than current ZE2 equipment. Accordingly, the current profile identifies only the current trims and variants directly supported by the supplied material, without treating earlier S, SV, SL, Visia, Acenta, N-Connecta or Tekna grades as current.

Interior & seating

The current LEAF’s body change to a subcompact crossover establishes a different passenger-compartment context from the earlier hatchbacks, but the supplied material does not describe the ZE2 interior, seating capacity, materials, displays or cargo volume. No current interior equipment should therefore be inferred from the exterior and powertrain filenames. The extract does document one interior-related change for the preceding ZE1 generation: Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were added, while certain earlier-generation higher trims could include features such as heated seats, a heated steering wheel or leather seating. Those details belong to ZE0 or ZE1 and are not current-generation specifications. The current image filenames identify exterior views, a bonnet view and a powertrain image rather than an interior photograph. For this profile, the interior chapter is consequently limited to the generation-level packaging change and a separation between documented historical features and the current model.

Efficiency & range

The ZE2’s stated efficiency-related improvements combine battery thermal management, aerodynamic development and charging speed. Its liquid-cooled NMC battery packs include thermal conditioning, a first for the LEAF according to the extract. Nissan estimates up to 490 km of EPA range on selected configurations, compared with 240–341 km for the facelifted previous generation in the United States. The extract also gives a drag coefficient of 0.25, or 0.26 in North America, versus 0.29 for ZE1. These figures are configuration- and market-dependent estimates rather than a single universal range result. The two battery choices are 52 kWh and 75 kWh, and the larger pack is paired with the higher-output motor. The current LEAF’s efficiency story is therefore best described through its improved estimated range, lower drag and thermally managed battery system.

Safety & equipment

The supplied extract does not give a current ZE2 crash-test rating or a complete safety-equipment list. It does state that the current LEAF remains a single-motor front-wheel-drive vehicle, but that is a drivetrain description rather than a safety assessment. Earlier-generation information includes optional ProPILOT Assist on selected ZE1 trims and automatic parking in some markets. Those features are not identified as current ZE2 equipment in the supplied material and should not be carried forward as standard or available features. Similarly, the extract’s discussion of varied opinions about battery and safety aspects relates to the first generation and does not establish a rating for the current model. The current safety profile should therefore remain focused on documented facts rather than assumptions about driver assistance, airbags, crash performance or battery protection. A separate current-market safety test source would be required for a complete evaluation.

Strengths

The current LEAF’s main strengths are the breadth of its technical redesign and its continued focus on front-wheel-drive electric use. Moving to the AmpR Medium platform and a crossover body gives the model a new position within Nissan’s range. The two liquid-cooled battery options introduce active thermal management, which was absent from the passively air-cooled packs described for earlier generations. The larger battery configuration is associated with a stated EPA estimate of up to 490 km on selected versions. Charging capability also improves, with support for up to 150 kW DC charging and NACS compatibility in North America. The model remains mechanically straightforward compared with the Ariya because the extract specifies one motor and front-wheel drive rather than a dual-motor layout. Its 0.25 drag coefficient, or 0.26 in North America, is lower than the previous generation’s stated 0.29. These strengths are documented technical characteristics rather than claims about ride quality or ownership experience.

Considerations

The LEAF’s most important consideration is that the current ZE2 is not simply an updated version of the earlier hatchback. Buyers comparing it with older LEAFs are comparing different body styles, platforms and battery-cooling systems. The extract does not supply a complete current trim structure, seating specification, interior description, consumption table or independent safety rating. Range is presented as an estimate of up to 490 km on selected configurations, so the figure should not be treated as universal across the 52 kWh and 75 kWh versions or across markets. Charging hardware also varies by region: North American vehicles use both J1772 and NACS ports, while the extract separately describes European charging timing. The absence of all-wheel drive may matter to shoppers seeking the Ariya’s dual-motor layout. Finally, current NISMO information applies to the Japanese market, and its stated motor tuning does not increase maximum power.

Recommended use

The current LEAF is positioned in the supplied material as a zero-emission family vehicle, now delivered in a subcompact crossover form. Its front-wheel-drive, single-motor layout suits buyers seeking a relatively direct electric drivetrain rather than the dual-motor arrangement available in the Ariya. The 52 kWh and 75 kWh battery choices provide different range and output positions, while the stated maximum estimated EPA range of 490 km makes the larger configuration the more range-focused option. Up to 150 kW DC charging and North American NACS compatibility address longer-trip charging requirements, although the extract does not describe charging-network coverage or real-world travel times. The crossover body may make the current model more relevant to buyers who prefer that format over the previous hatchback design. The profile does not establish towing capacity, off-road ability, seating count or cargo measurements, so those uses should not be assumed.

FAQ

Q: What is the current Nissan LEAF generation? A: The current model is the third generation, designated ZE2, released in 2025.

Q: Is the current LEAF still a hatchback? A: No. ZE2 adopts a subcompact crossover-style body.

Q: Does the current LEAF offer all-wheel drive? A: No. The supplied extract specifies a single motor and front-wheel drive.

Q: What battery options are described? A: The extract identifies 52 kWh and 75 kWh liquid-cooled NMC batteries.

Q: What is the stated maximum range? A: Nissan estimates up to 490 km, or 303 miles, on selected EPA-rated configurations.

Q: Does the current LEAF use NACS? A: It is Nissan’s first vehicle to adopt NACS, with North American compatibility stated.

Sources & updates

Research for this Nissan LEAF profile prioritized current manufacturer specifications, model-year equipment pages and official press material. Independent safety or regulatory records were used where available. Historical references were kept separate from current-generation specifications and image identification.

Equipment, pricing and certified figures can vary by market, trim and model year. The expandable reference list below contains the linked sources used for verification. Last editorial review: August 30, 2026.

• Nissan USA: All-New 2026 LEAF →
• Nissan Leaf · reference overview →

Last editorial review: August 30, 2026. Specifications remain market- and model-year-specific.