The Nissan Leaf Returns For 2025: Longer Range, Sleeker Design
Key Insights
The third-generation Nissan Leaf transforms from a hatchback into a sleek crossover with up to 373 miles of range
Built in Sunderland, UK, the new Leaf shares its CMF-EV platform with the Ariya and features advanced aerodynamic design
Expected to launch in late 2025 with pricing estimated around £33,000 (approximately £37,000 through salary sacrifice)
Part of Nissan's EV36Zero project, establishing Sunderland as a flagship EV hub combining electric vehicle and battery production
The Nissan Leaf has come a long way since it pioneered mainstream electric cars in 2010. Once the world’s best-selling electric vehicle, this helped to change perceptions about EVs from alternatives to practical everyday transport. Now, as Nissan prepares to launch the third generation of its groundbreaking EV, we're seeing not just an update but a complete reimagining of what the Leaf can be.
This reinvention comes at a crucial time for Nissan, with incoming CEO Ivan Espinosa describing it as "an important moment" for the company. The transformation from compact hatchback to sleek crossover represents Nissan's commitment to recapturing the Leaf's former glory in an increasingly competitive electric market. And based on the first official images and details, this evolution promises to put the Leaf back at the forefront of mainstream electric vehicles.
The Third-Generation, From The Outside
If you remember the original Nissan Leaf, you might remember its quirky, bubble-like appearance. The second generation toned things down with a more conventional look. But this new 2025 model is a complete transformation.
The third-generation Leaf has evolved into a sleek, aerodynamically efficient crossover, making it feel more mature and more visually appealing. Despite being approximately 15cm shorter than the outgoing model, the new Leaf stands much taller with a more upright stance and swooping roofline that emphasises its aerodynamic efficiency.
The Nissan Ariya has inspired the third-generation Leaf, featuring clean lines, a sleek front end, and that distinctive floating roof design. This is completely different from the compact hatchbacks of years past - it's now positioned to compete with crossover EVs like the BYD Atto 3, Tesla Model Y, and Volkswagen ID.4.
The design seems to take inspiration from Nissan’s “Chill Out” concept from 2021, but adapted for practical road use. The shift to a "lifted sedan-like silhouette similar to the Polestar 4 and Peugeot 408" gives the Leaf a more contemporary profile that's becoming increasingly synonymous with modern electric vehicles.
What We Know About Power And Range
While Nissan is still keeping us in the dark about the full technical specifications, we do know some of the figures. The new Leaf is built on Nissan’s CMF-EV platform (the same architecture underpinning the Ariya) and features their innovative "3-in-1" powertrain setup that combines the motor, inverter and reducer into a single unit.
Most importantly, Nissan has confirmed a significant range improvement, with the new Leaf expected to deliver around 600km (373 miles) on a single charge. For reference, the higher-specification 214 bhp 1st generation Leaf e+ offers a range of 239 miles. According to Nissan's vehicle programme boss Francois Bailly, providing a "confident EV drive" with a focus on "highway" driving was one of the core principles behind the new Leaf's development. This adjustment puts the third-generation leaf firmly among the longer-range mainstream EVs on the market.
Though battery sizes haven't been officially confirmed, industry analysts expect options similar to the Ariya, which offers 63 kWh and 87 kWh batteries (usable capacity). Given the improved aerodynamics and Nissan's focus on efficiency, these packs should deliver impressive range figures.
There's also speculation about a dual-motor version featuring Nissan's e-4ORCE all-wheel drive technology, alongside the standard single-motor front-wheel drive configuration. So, watch this space! There are lots of interesting announcements to still be made about the leaf!
British Built For European Roads
For UK drivers, there's an additional point of pride with the new Leaf: it will continue to be manufactured at Nissan's Sunderland plant in the north-east of England. This factory is being transformed into what Nissan calls a "flagship EV hub" as part of their "EV36Zero project, which aims to create a complete ecosystem combining 'electric vehicles, renewable energy and battery production'".
This commitment to UK manufacturing comes as part of Nissan's broader electrification strategy, which also includes the upcoming electric Micra (designed in London) and an electric version of the Juke crossover planned for 2026.
Tech and Features: What to Expect
While full specifications haven't been released, we can make some educated guesses based on the Leaf's platform-sharing relationship with the Ariya. Expect a modern interior with a dual-screen setup – one for the driver's instruments and another for infotainment.
The new Leaf will likely feature Nissan's "ProPilot autonomous driving technology", offering semi-autonomous driving capabilities for highway journeys. In the US market, the Leaf will come with a "NACS charging port" allowing access to Tesla chargers, though UK and European models will likely stick with the CCS standard.
Other premium touches expected include 19s (19-inch wheels on a Leaf!) and a panoramic moon roof to create an airy, spacious feeling inside the cabin.
When Can You Get A Third-Generation Nissan Leaf Through Salary Sacrifice?
The European version of the new Leaf is scheduled to begin production later this year, with "first cars rolling off the production line later this year" and deliveries expected in late 2025. Nissan hasn't confirmed official pricing yet, but industry estimates suggest a starting price of around £33,000. This places the third-generation Nissan Leaf in the same price point as the Volvo EX30, Renault Megane E-Tech and the MG5 EV.
For those looking to lease through a salary sacrifice scheme like The Electric Car Scheme, you could save a significant amount on a third-generation Nissan Leaf. Based on comparable vehicles in this segment, higher-rate taxpayers could see monthly payments from approximately £330-£370 after tax savings.
| How your savings are realised | |
|---|---|
| Average monthly salary sacrifice (inc VAT) | £711 |
| Employee income tax savings | - £285 |
| Employee national insurance savings | - £14 |
| Average benefit-in-kind tax over term | £59 |
| Net cost | £471 |
You can lease the Nissan Ariya from The Electric Car Scheme. The table shows how the cost breakdown works for someone who is a 40% taxpayer, who wants a three-year lease and is looking to travel 10,000 miles per annum. For reference, the Nissan Ariya is more premium than the Nissan Leaf, with a starting price of £39,655 that can increase to £59,035 depending on the specification you choose.
Without salary sacrifice, a new Nissan Ariya would cost £711 monthly to lease. However, with an EV salary sacrifice scheme, you will save £285 on income tax savings and £14 on national insurance savings. You will have to pay a small amount of benefit-in-kind tax over the term. With The Electric Car Scheme, you would save £240 every month through tax savings.
Why This Matters: The Leaf's Legacy and Future
The significance of this new Leaf goes beyond just another EV launch. The original Leaf was a true pioneer, as the world's first mass-market electric vehicle. It helped establish electric cars as a viable alternative to internal combustion engines at a time when many were deeply skeptical.
Now, with this third generation, Nissan is acknowledging how much the market has evolved. Electric vehicles are no longer niche products for early adopters; they're mainstream transportation options. By transforming the Leaf into a crossover with competitive range and features, Nissan is positioning it to remain relevant in an increasingly crowded market.
For incoming Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa, the new Leaf represents an important part of the company's turnaround strategy. There are "several things that we have to work on," he told Top Gear about the company's current challenges, including "the stability of our revenue flow... cost... speed, shortening our development cycle" and improving "employee morale."
So, Is The New Leaf Right For You?
If you've been considering making the switch to electric but have been waiting for a practical, reasonably-priced option with sufficient range, the new Nissan Leaf could be worth waiting for. With its crossover styling, spacious interior, and impressive range, it addresses many of the practical concerns that might have held people back from going electric.
For companies looking to offer electric vehicles through salary sacrifice schemes, the British-built Leaf also represents an opportunity to support local manufacturing while providing employees with an attractive, sustainable transportation option.
The transformation of the Leaf from the original pioneering compact to a crossover designed for a modern consumer reflects the broader evolution of the EV market. From specialised niche to mainstream option. Nissan is ensuring that the car that helped start the electric revolution remains relevant well into the future.
Want to learn more about how you could drive the new Nissan Leaf or other electric vehicles through salary sacrifice? Get an instant quote to see how much you could save through The Electric Car Scheme.
Last updated: 09.04.25
